Even though Crime in the 1920’s was not one of the main focal points in The Great Gatsby, it is certainly present in the background of the book. One of the prime examples of a character representing the theme of crime is Meyer Wolfsheim who Gatsby does business with. Gatsby involvement with Wolfheim in illegal activities is implied later on in the book, There is a big possibility that Gatsby was involved with Wolfheim in the production of alcohol and sale of it to even though this is not openly stated, though this could be suggested with all of the lavish parties he has hosted. This would have also been during the time of the prohibition area in which such practises were illegal.
Gatsby's relationship with Wolfsheim makes Nick and others doubt the honesty in the acquisition of Gatsby's wealth, and Tom later accuses Gatsby of becoming wealthy through criminal business activities. So although not at the forefront of the story, crime is represented in the novel.
One of the basic facts about Jay Gatsby is that he throws amazing parties at his house every weekend. Alcohol , dancing, and people aren’t even invited — they just show up. These partygoers, it would seem, exhibit the sin of gluttony, in that they eat and drink and dance and party to excess, and take extreme advantage of the offerings of a man they don’t even know. In Gatsby, we see many characters who are a bit more than well-off. Both Gatsby and the Buchanans (Tom and Daisy) live in lavish homes, yet they still yearn for more. It seems that no one in The Great Gatsby is truly content with their current status — everyone is constantly on the lookout for what they can grab hold of next.
Tom Buchanan is a great example of lust. Though he already has a beautiful wife in Daisy, it is revealed that she apparently is not enough for him: he is a serial cheater, and his latest mistress is Myrtle Wilson, a woman from the “Valley of Ashes” between Long Island and New York City. Tom often takes trips into the city, picking up Myrtle along the way so that they can continue their affair. Wrath is presented through the character Tom Buchanan, who not only flies into a tempered fit at one point and slaps Myrtle, but also falsely sends George Wilson, Myrtle’s husband, after Gatsby when Myrtle is killed by a speeding vehicle. Many of Tom and Gatsby’s interactions are rather heated, and Tom has quite the tendency toward flares of temper.
Envy drives the plot of the tale, for it is Gatsby’s desire for Daisy and his jealousy of the rich lifestyle that kicks off his entire persona. Gatsby is made from envy and exists to inspire envy in others, he crafts for himself an image that begs to be desired just as he once desired it.
An example of modern day crime an corruption can be represented through Sepp Blatter and the Fifa scandal in 2015.The 2015 arrests centre on the alleged use of bribery, fraud and money laundering to corrupt the issuing of media and marketing rights for FIFA games in the Americas, estimated at $150 million, including at least $110 million in bribes related to the Copa America Centenario to be hosted in 2016 in the United States. Sepp Blatter can be related to the character of Meyer Wolfheim who is known in the booking for his shady dealings as well as him claiming to the fixing of another well know sporting event, the world series.
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