The Great Gatsby by F. Scott Fitzgerald Themes culture clash American dream decline of the American dream corruption of the American dream appearances and reality hollowness of the upper class moral corruption hope success ignorance judgement disillusionment morals illusion power greed honesty decay gender roles violence society and class religion wealth dissatisfaction lies and deceit sights and insight Vocabulary one-dimensional amoral material values lack of spirituality careless (world) easy money decadent parties idealized perfection gaudy supercilious: haughtily disdainful or contemptuous, as a person or a facial expression. punctilious: extremely attentive. strict or exact in the observance of the formalities or amenities of conduct or actions. Jaunty: easy and sprightly in manner or bearing meretricious: alluring by a show of flashy or vulgar attractions; Wan: of an unnatural or sickly pallor; pallid; lacking color weakness Miscellaneous