Paper 106 | Ambition and Corruption: A Comparative Analysis of ‘The Great Gatsby’ and ‘The Wolf of Wall Street’
Paper 106 | Ambition and Corruption: A Comparative Analysis of ‘The Great Gatsby’ and ‘The Wolf of Wall Street’
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Paper - 106: The Twentieth Century Literature: 1900 to World War II
Submitted Date: April 3, 2025
Paper Name: The Twentieth Century Literature: 1900 to World War II
Topic: Ambition and Corruption: A Comparative Analysis of ‘The Great
Gatsby’ and ‘The Wolf of Wall Street’
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Paper 106 | Ambition and Corruption: A Comparative Analysis of ‘The Great
Gatsby’ and ‘The Wolf of Wall Street’
from
Rajdeep Bavaliya
Slide - 1: Title
Ambition and Corruption: A Comparative Analysis of ‘The Great Gatsby’ and ‘The Wolf of Wall Street’
Prepared by Rajdeep A. Bavaliya
Slide - 2: Academic Details
Presented by: Rajdeep A. Bavaliya
Roll No.: 21
Enrollment No.: 5108240006
Sem.: 2
Batch: 2024-26
E-mail: rajdeepbavaliya2@gmail.com
Slide - 2: Presentation Details
Paper Name: The Twentieth Century Literature: 1900 to World War II
Paper No.: 106
Paper Code: 22399
Unit: 3 - F. Scott Fitzgerald’s ‘The Great Gatsby’
Topic: Ambition and Corruption: A Comparative Analysis of ‘The Great Gatsby’ and ‘The Wolf of Wall Street’
Submitted To: Smt. Sujata Binoy Gardi, Department of English, Maharaja Krishnakumarsinhji Bhavnagar University
Submitted Date: April 3, 2025
Slide - 3: Table of Contents
- Introduction
- Research Question
- Hypothesis
- Literature Review
- Ambition in ‘The Great Gatsby’: The American Dream
- Corruption in ‘The Great Gatsby’: The Hidden Cost of Ambition
- Ambition in ‘The Wolf of Wall Street’: The Pursuit of Excess
- Corruption in ‘The Wolf of Wall Street’: Excess and Ethical Decline
- Comparative Analysis: Ambition Across Narratives
- Comparative Analysis: Corruption as a Byproduct of Ambition
- Intersections: The American Dream and Its Discontents
- Conclusion
- Learning Outcomes
- References
Slide - 4: Introduction
Setting the Stage: “‘The Great Gatsby’ embodies a criticism of American experience… the withering of the American dream.” (Bewley)
Both works critique the American dream, revealing how ambition and corruption shape individual fates and cultural values.
Dual Narratives: F. Scott Fitzgerald’s novel and Scorsese’s film reinterpret ambition through contrasting yet intertwined perspectives.
Each narrative exposes the allure of success while unmasking the moral decay beneath glittering surfaces.
Core Themes: Ambition fuels personal desire while corruption undermines integrity, creating a tragic interplay.
The narratives merge personal longing with societal decay to challenge our understanding of success.
Comparative Lens: By juxtaposing Gatsby’s romantic idealism with Belfort’s ruthless greed, the works invite a deeper reflection on the American ethos.
The presentation will explore these dynamics through critical quotes and scholarly insights.
Slide - 5: Research Question
To what extent do ‘The Great Gatsby’ and ‘The Wolf of Wall Street’ portray unbridled ambition as the catalyst for systemic corruption within the American Dream?
Slide - 5: Hypothesis
Both works demonstrate that when ambition is pursued without ethical restraint, it inevitably morphs the American Dream into a conduit for personal downfall and societal decay.
Slide - 6: Literature Review
1. Scholar(s)/Author(s):
Bewley, Marius. (1954)
Source:
The Sewanee Review (JSTOR)
Key Argument:
This source argues that Fitzgerald’s ‘The Great Gatsby’ offers a severe critique of the American Dream, portraying it as a withering of a basic historic attitude to life rather than an approval of it. It suggests that Gatsby embodies a spiritual reality in contrast to the tangible illusions of his corrupt American world.
Application and Significance of Key Scholarly Arguments:
Fitzgerald’s novel is seen as a severe critique of the American Dream, revealing how Gatsby’s unattainable idealism collides with a corrupt, materialistic reality.
2. Scholar(s)/Author(s):
Ibrahim, AbdulMahmoud, and Adam Said Daier Ibrahim. (2017)
Source:
International Journal of Social Science and Humanities Research (Academia.edu)
Key Argument:
This paper argues that Fitzgerald’s ‘The Great Gatsby’ is a pessimistic critique illustrating the corruption of the American Dream in the 1920s, where the pursuit of material excess and pleasure eclipsed more noble goals, leading to destruction. It posits that Gatsby symbolizes both the corrupted and original American Dream, with his corrupted pursuit of wealth motivated by an incorruptible love.
Application and Significance of Key Scholarly Arguments:
The source argues that ‘The Great Gatsby’ exposes the 1920s corruption of the American Dream, where the pursuit of material excess ultimately leads to destruction.
3. Scholar(s)/Author(s):
Morales, Lucía Villanea. (Sept. 2020)
Source:
InterSedes
Key Argument:
This essay presents a character analysis arguing that Gatsby, despite his apparent greatness, is an ordinary loser whose life is governed by failure and decay due to his ambition, corruption, and alienation in his attempt to belong to the aristocratic class. It suggests that his unreachable dream and reliance on dirty business for wealth ultimately lead to his loss.
Application and Significance of Key Scholarly Arguments:
Gatsby’s relentless chase for an unreachable dream—sustained by illicit means and a desperate need to belong—renders him a tragic, ordinary failure.
Slide - 7: Literature Review
4. Scholar(s)/Author(s):
Nurdini, Rahmi Aulia, et al. (Jan. 2013)
Source:
Academia.edu
Key Argument:
This analysis focuses on Jordan Belfort’s ambition in the movie ‘The Wolf of Wall Street,’ arguing that his ambition to gain a lot of money through illegal business practices leads to negative effects such as the failure of his business and loss of happiness. The paper also highlights moral messages in the film about thinking before acting and being honest in business.
Application and Significance of Key Scholarly Arguments:
Belfort’s unbridled ambition, driven by illicit business practices, not only undermines his personal happiness but also serves as a moral caution in business.
5. Scholar(s)/Author(s):
Pearson, Roger L. (1970)
Source:
The English Journal (JSTOR)
Key Argument:
This source argues that Gatsby is a “false prophet” of a corrupted American Dream in the Roaring Twenties, embodying the hedonism and materialism of the era, and whose failure and destruction serve as a portent for the eclipse of the American Dream. It suggests that Gatsby’s pursuit of a materialistic “God” (Mammon) and his self-delusions reveal the perversion of the American Dream.
Application and Significance of Key Scholarly Arguments:
Gatsby is portrayed as a false prophet of the American Dream, embodying the era’s hedonistic materialism and self-delusion that heralds the decay of true American ideals.
6. Scholar(s)/Author(s):
Romney, Jonathan. (2014)
Source:
Film Comment (JSTOR)
Key Argument:
This article argues that Scorsese’s film ‘The Wolf of Wall Street’ deglamorizes its anti-hero, Jordan Belfort, and his world of financial excess and corruption, presenting a broad and often crude comic take on the rewards and perils of extreme wealth, contrasting it with the romantic tragedy of ‘The Great Gatsby.’ It suggests the film critiques the cliché of finance corrupts without offering new insights.
Application and Significance of Key Scholarly Arguments:
‘The Wolf of Wall Street’ deglamorizes Belfort’s meteoric rise to wealth by exposing the inherent corruption and excess of modern finance through a comic yet critical lens.
Slide - 8: Ambition in ‘The Great Gatsby’: The American Dream
Gatsby’s Vision: “Gatsby never succeeds in seeing through the sham of his world…” (Bewley).
His relentless pursuit of wealth and love mirrors the fragile hope embedded in the American dream.
Pursuit of Idealism: Gatsby’s ambition is depicted as a “romantic baptism of desire for a reality that stubbornly remains out of his sight.” (Bewley)
His dreams are grand yet ultimately unattainable, revealing the tension between idealism and reality.
Social Ascent: Gatsby’s elevation through America’s economic divisions indicates his ambition. (Ibrahim and Ibrahim)
His transformation from modest origins to a symbol of wealth underscores his personal quest for acceptance.
Obsessive Desire: The longing for Daisy encapsulates his yearning for both love and social validation.
This desire drives him to reconstruct his identity, making ambition both a personal and societal force.
Slide - 9: Corruption in ‘The Great Gatsby’: The Hidden Cost of Ambition
Dirty Business: “Gatsby generates his fortune from his dirty business; nevertheless, his corrupt actions merge from other directions, as well.” (Morales)
His wealth, built on illegal activities, highlights the moral compromises behind his glamorous persona.
The Corrupted Dream: Ambition in ‘The Great Gatsby’ does not stand alone; it requires corruption to complete the equation.
His journey shows that the pursuit of success can lead to ethical decay and personal tragedy.
False Prophet: Pearson notes that Gatsby is a false prophet of the American Dream. (Pearson)
His idealism is tainted by the systemic corruption inherent in his society, undermining his noble aspirations.
Symbolic Decay: The green light, once a beacon of hope, becomes emblematic of corrupted ambition.
This transformation symbolizes how even the purest dreams can be subverted by unethical means.
Slide - 10: Ambition in ‘The Wolf of Wall Street’: The Pursuit of Excess
Rise to Power: The film chronicles Belfort’s meteoric ascent, where ambition is “selling garbage to garbagemen and making money hand over fist.” (Romney)
Belfort’s drive is fueled by an unyielding desire for wealth and recognition, set against a backdrop of excess.
Unbridled Desire: Belfort’s ambition is the desire to make the most of his potential, as he chases money and luxury. (Nurdini et al.)
His single-minded focus on profit eclipses traditional moral considerations, reflecting a hyperbolic American success story.
Lifestyle of Excess: The film portrays an environment of continuous partying and hedonism that mirrors his insatiable ambition.
This depiction serves as a critique of a culture that equates self-worth with material gain.
Financial Frenzy: Belfort’s journey, marked by high-pressure sales and illegal practices, underscores ambition’s dark side.
His relentless pursuit of money at any cost reveals the ethical void in his world.
Slide - 11: Corruption in ‘The Wolf of Wall Street’: Excess and Ethical Decline
Systemic Fraud: Belfort’s firm, Stratton Oakmont, is synonymous with rampant fraud and corruption. (Romney)
The film details how unethical business practices drive his success and eventual downfall.
Moral Bankruptcy: His world is filled with three hours of cash, drugs, hookers, repeat.
This relentless cycle of indulgence highlights the erosion of traditional values in the face of greed.
Consequences of Corruption: The illegal operations and subsequent downfall underline that unethical ambition ultimately leads to ruin.
Belfort’s collapse is a direct consequence of his unchecked moral decay and fraudulent behavior.
Cultural Reflection: The film critiques a corporate culture that prizes reputation and profit over ethical conduct.
It serves as a cautionary tale about the perils of prioritizing success without accountability.
Slide - 12: Comparative Analysis: Ambition Across Narratives
Dual Facets of Ambition: Both Gatsby and Belfort exhibit a relentless drive that propels them toward wealth and status.
While Gatsby’s ambition is entwined with personal love and societal acceptance, Belfort’s is marked by a lust for money and power.
Personal vs. Corporate Dreams: Gatsby’s idealistic quest contrasts sharply with Belfort’s pragmatic, profit-driven pursuits.
This comparison reveals how ambition can be both a romantic aspiration and a catalyst for unethical behavior.
Critical Reflections: Scholars note that ambition in both narratives exposes inherent vulnerabilities in the American dream.
The characters’ journeys invite scrutiny of how personal dreams are compromised by societal corruption.
Impact on Identity: Their ambitious quests force both characters to reconstruct their identities, albeit with drastically different outcomes.
This transformative process underscores the cost of chasing a dream at any price.
Slide - 13: Comparative Analysis: Corruption as a Byproduct of Ambition
Ethical Erosion: In both works, the quest for success is inextricably linked with corrupt practices—Gatsby’s illegal dealings and Belfort’s financial fraud.
Their stories illustrate that ambition unchecked by morality inevitably leads to personal and social decay.
Symbolism of Corruption: The corrupted green light in Gatsby and the debauched excess in Belfort’s world serve as powerful metaphors for lost ideals.
These symbols highlight how corruption distorts the original promise of the American dream.
Tragic Outcomes: Both characters’ downfalls are a testament to the destructive interplay between ambition and corruption.
Their fates warn that the cost of unethical ambition is not only personal ruin but also a broader societal crisis.
Scholarly Insight: Critics argue that both narratives serve as cautionary tales about the perils of sacrificing integrity for success.
This comparative analysis deepens our understanding of how systemic corruption undermines individual ambition.
Slide - 14: Intersections: The American Dream and Its Discontents
Critique of Idealism: Both works dissect the myth of the American dream, revealing its inherent contradictions and vulnerabilities.
They expose how the promise of limitless opportunity is marred by class divisions and moral decay.
Cultural Commentary: The clash between “old money” and “new money” in Gatsby and the excesses of Wall Street in Belfort’s tale reflect deep-seated societal tensions.
These narratives critique a system that rewards ambition while neglecting ethical considerations.
Environmental and Social Costs: Scholars note that the voracious pursuit of wealth often results in both environmental degradation and social fragmentation.
This observation challenges the sustainability of a dream built on exploitation.
Enduring Relevance: The enduring appeal of these narratives lies in their capacity to mirror contemporary societal issues.
They compel us to question whether modern ambition can ever be free of corruption.
Slide - 15: Conclusion
Summarizing the Journey: Both Gatsby and Belfort illustrate that the pursuit of greatness is fraught with ethical compromises and inevitable downfall.
Their stories remind us that unchecked ambition, when fueled by corruption, ultimately destroys its own promise.
A Dual Legacy: The narratives serve as a mirror to a society that glorifies wealth while ignoring the moral decay beneath its surface.
They challenge us to question whether true success can be achieved without sacrificing core values.
Critical Call to Action: Reflecting on these works inspires a call for greater ethical awareness in the relentless chase for success.
It is a reminder to balance ambition with accountability and integrity in both personal and societal pursuits.
Enduring Lessons: The tragic fates of both characters offer enduring lessons on the importance of preserving human dignity in the face of overwhelming desire.
Ultimately, the analysis encourages an ongoing dialogue about the real cost of ambition in modern society.
Slide - 16: Learning Outcomes
Personal Reflection on Ambition: Understanding how both Gatsby’s and Belfort’s quests reveal the fine line between aspiration and ethical compromise has led me to reconsider my own ambitions.
I now appreciate the importance of aligning personal goals with integrity and recognize the cost of unchecked desire for success.
Ethical Reconsideration: Exploring the moral decay depicted in both works has shifted my view on success—highlighting that true achievement must be grounded in ethical values.
This insight encourages me to balance my drive for accomplishment with a commitment to honesty and accountability.
Appreciation for Nuanced Narratives: Analyzing the contrasting portrayals of ambition in literature and film has deepened my understanding of cultural critiques surrounding the American Dream.
I now see how nuanced storytelling can expose societal flaws and inspire critical thinking about prevailing norms.
Inspiration for Future Endeavors: The lessons drawn from these narratives have influenced my perspective on professional and personal development, prompting a more conscientious approach.
I am motivated to pursue my goals with a renewed focus on ethical conduct, ensuring that my aspirations contribute positively to both my growth and society.
Slide - 17: References
Bewley, Marius. “Scott Fitzgerald’s Criticism of America.” The Sewanee Review, vol. 62, no. 2, 1954, pp. 223–46. JSTOR, www.jstor.org/stable/27538346.
Eble, Kenneth. “The Great Gatsby.” College Literature, vol. 1, no. 1, 1974, pp. 34–47. JSTOR, www.jstor.org/stable/25111007.
Fitzgerald, F. Scott. The Great Gatsby. Project Gutenberg, 2021, www.gutenberg.org/cache/epub/64317/pg64317-images.html.
The Great Gatsby. Directed by Baz Luhrmann, Warner Bros., 2013.
Ibrahim, AbdulMahmoud, and Adam Said Daier Ibrahim. “The American Dream Corruption in Fitzgerald’s the Great Gatsby.” International Journal of Social Science and Humanities Research, vol. 5, no. 4, Oct. 2017, pp. 344–48. Academia.edu, www.academia.edu/36488902/The_American_Dream_Corruption_in_Fitzgeralds_The_Great_Gatsby.
McCafferty, Jillian S. “Formalism Exemplified in the Wolf of Wall Street.” Cinesthesia, vol. 4, no. 2, 4, 2015, scholarworks.gvsu.edu/cine/vol4/iss2/4.
Meehan, Adam. “Repetition, Race, and Desire in the Great Gatsby.” Journal of Modern Literature, vol. 37, no. 2, 2014, pp. 76–91. JSTOR, doi.org/10.2979/jmodelite.37.2.76.
Slide - 18: References
Mensah, Aziz. “ETHICAL LEADERSHIP IN CONTEMPORARY CORPORATE ORGANIZATION: A CASE STUDY OF THE WOLF OF WALL STREET.” Academia.edu, Oct. 2015, www.academia.edu/17476615/ETHICAL_LEADERSHIP_IN_CONTEMPORARY_CORPORATE_ORGANIZATION_A_CASE_STUDY_OF_THE_WOLF_OF_WALL_STREET.
Morales, Lucía Villanea. “Not a Great Winner, but an Ordinary Loser.” InterSedes, vol. 21, no. 44, Sept. 2020, pp. 170–77. https://doi.org/10.15517/isucr.v21i44.43942.
Nurdini, Rahmi Aulia, et al. “A Literature Analysis of Ambition of Jordan Belfort in the Wolf of Wall Street Movie Directed by Martin Scorsese.” Academia.edu, Jan. 2013, www.academia.edu/77516734/A_Literature_Analysis_Of_Ambition_Of_Jordan_Belfort_In_The_Wolf_Of_Wall_Street_Movie_Directed_By_Martin_Scorsese.
Pearson, Roger L. “Gatsby: False Prophet of the American Dream.” The English Journal, vol. 59, no. 5, 1970, pp. 638–45. JSTOR, doi.org/10.2307/813939.
Romney, Jonathan. “The Man Who Sold the World.” Film Comment, vol. 50, no. 1, 2014, pp. 22–27. JSTOR, www.jstor.org/stable/43459881.
The Wolf of Wall Street. Directed by Martin Scorsese, Red Granite Pictures, Appian Way Productions, Sikelia Productions, EMJAG Productions, 2013.
PowerPoint template source: Slidesgo
Slide - 19: Thank you! Any questions?
Questions:
Q.-1.|How might these portrayals of ambition and corruption be reinterpreted in the context of the digital era and social media influences?
Answer:
In the digital era, ambition is often fueled by the desire for online popularity and instant rewards. Social media can sometimes glamorize unethical actions if they bring quick fame. These portrayals can be reinterpreted as reflections of how technology changes our ideas of success and morality.
Q.-2.|How would integrating diverse cultural or non-American perspectives reshape our understanding of the American Dream’s corruption?
Answer:
Integrating diverse cultural or non-American views would broaden our understanding of ambition and corruption. Different cultures might stress community values and ethical behavior over individual success. This approach can reshape the idea of the American Dream’s corruption by showing it as one perspective among many global views on ambition.
Description:
Dive into the glittering allure and hidden rot of the American Dream as we compare Jay Gatsby’s lofty ambitions with Jordan Belfort’s brazen excess. Uncover how both characters chase success at the cost of their integrity and ultimately pay the price for unchecked desire. Which downfall resonates more—Gatsby’s doomed romance or Belfort’s scandalous spiral? Drop your thoughts below, hit like if you’ve ever chased a dream, and subscribe for more literary-versus-film showdowns!
Hashtags:
#AmericanDream #GreatGatsby #WolfOfWallStreet #AmbitionAndCorruption #LiteratureVsFilm #Fitzgerald #Scorsese #JayGatsby #JordanBelfort #DreamOrDownfall
Keyword Tags:
The Great Gatsby, The Wolf of Wall Street, American Dream analysis, ambition corruption, Gatsby vs. Belfort, F. Scott Fitzgerald themes, Martin Scorsese film, literary comparison, movie vs. novel, moral critique
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