A multitude of characters in the book are corrupted by a variety of things, including money and other material objects. Starting with Gatsby, who became who he is through criminal activities and lies. Discovered within the book, “this is one of his little stunts. [Tom] picked him out for a smuggler the first time he saw [him], and [he] wasn't far wrong. "(Fitzgerald 143) She lied to Nick about her identity and family to get his help with Daisy. Daisy herself is corrupted by wealth and the need for a high social class, considering she cried when she entered for the first time at Gatsby's house because he had never seen such nice shirts The superficial people who attend Gatsby's parties to gawk at his house surround him with more corruption and bring to light another central theme of the corrupt American dream. Tom and Myrtle are also corrupt as they participate in adultery, along with Daisy and Gatsby. The corruption is clear and evident throughout the book, spanning the worlds of West Egg, East Egg, and the Valley of Ashes as their own.