Final answer:
Fitzgerald reveals a theme of appearance versus reality through Tom's extra-marital affair, critiquing the illusion of the American Dream and the moral decay of society in the Jazz Age, reflecting his own disillusionment with the 1920s' affluent lifestyle.
Step-by-step explanation:
F. Scott Fitzgerald, in his literary works, often delved into the complexities of human nature and society, particularly focusing on themes such as money, unattainable love, and individual identity. By revealing Tom's extra-marital affair in his narratives, Fitzgerald develops a critical theme about appearance versus reality. The superficial glitter of the wealthy society hides layers of deceit, infidelity, and moral corruption. This theme serves as a poignant critique of the American Dream, unmasking the illusion that financial success and high social standing equate to virtue and happiness.
Through characters like Tom, Fitzgerald illustrates how the pursuit of wealth and status can lead to the erosion of authentic personal values and relationships. Tom's affair is not just a personal moral failing; it represents the broader societal failure to uphold genuine ethical standards. The contrast between appearance and the underlying reality not only explores the disintegration of individual character but also the decay of societal ideals during the Jazz Age.
Fitzgerald's own experiences in the 1920s, as recounted in "The Crack-Up", mirror these themes. He describes a life full of ambition and youthful dreams that, over time, yield to the cynicism and disillusionment of a man witnessing the contradictions of his era. The personal and universal struggles depicted in his stories draw from Fitzgerald’s acute observations of the opulent but ultimately unsatisfying life of the rich and famous during the 1920s.