Lying has deadly effects on both the individual who lies and those around them. This concept is
demonstrated in The Great Gatsby. Although Gatsby, Tom and Myrtle have different motives for being
deceitful, they all lie in order to fulfill their desires and personal needs. Myrtle's desire to be wealthy is
illustrated when she first meets Tom, dressed in his expensive clothing, as her attitude changes when
she puts on the luxurious dress and when she encourages Tom to buy her a dog. Tom's deception is
clear when he hides his affair with Myrtle by placing Myrtle in a different train, withholding the truth
from Mr. Wilson of the affair and convincing Myrtle and Catherine that he will one day marry Myrtle.
Gatsby tries to convince himself and others that he is the son of wealthy people, he creates an
appearance that he is a successful, educated man through the books in his library and assures himself
that Daisy loves him. Tom's dishonesty reveals that he is selfish, while Gatsby's distortions expose his
insecurities, and Myrtle's misrepresentations show that her sole focus in life is to achieve materialistic
success. Gatsby and Myrtle both lie in order to obtain the "American dream." However, Tom, who
appears to already have achieved the "American dream", deceives others out of boredom and because
he takes his wealthy lifestyle for granted. F. Scott Fitzgerald demonstrates the human flaw of
dishonesty for personal gain and how lies have inevitably tragic consequences in his characterization of
Gatsby, Myrtle, and Tom.
Jay Gatsby is dishonest to himself to and those around him which ultimately leads to his failure.
He lies about his past, his family, and his accomplishments in order to achieve his version of the
American dream, which is to win over Daisy. Nick informs the readers...