F. Scott Fitzgerald s The Great Gatsby is an excellent portrayal of the frenzied post-war society known as the Jazz Age. During a time of social and political corruption, society was living in excess, and modern values where sharply in decline. It was a time of severe disillusionment, and through the characterizations in the novel, the image of a devalued society can clearly be seen, especially through the lusts and desires of Gatsby himself. Although Gatsby s romantic and monetary disregard for reality may make him seem the most disillusioned of them all, his character rises above the other inhabitants of West Egg because he emerges and distinguishes himself from the selfish motives of his counterparts.