In the 1920’s, World War 1 had just ended, which caused enormous change to take place. People no longer had to worry about the war and were eager to enjoy their lives. This was known as the Jazz aAge, where people became reckless, carefree, and spent their time partying, drinking, and celebrating. When the stock market rose, people developed a new American dream where anyone could become wealthy or marry wealthy. In the Great Gatsby by F. Scott Fitzgerald, he creates a world divided by different social classes that represents the downfall of the American dream through materialism and immorality. The theme of decay is developed by showcasing the disintegration of social moral values and the institution of marriage. The unrestrained desire for wealth and the pursuit of pleasure ultimately results in the corruption of the American dream.