Though out the story There are many comparisons drawn between Jay Gatasby and the American dream. The first example of this is where he lives. He lives in an upper part of New York known as West Egg. He lives in a huge house which points to him living the 1920s dream. Since this book was written in the early 20s he was one of the few people who had a car. His kind demeanor and warm character symbolized the 1920s average person what was there not to like in the 1920s, when the economy is good, and you can buy all sorts of new things. “On Buffet tables garnished with glistening hors-doeuvres spiced baked ham crowded against salads or harlequin designs” (Fitzgerald 39) Gatsby’s parties were so lavish and that is how many people lived in the 1920s. The 1920s had many wealthy people and the idea of obtaining wealth was finally achievable. The reason why Jay Gatasby symbolizes the 1920s dream is because he was the peak of life and many people would have looked up to Jay and many people would have made that their life goal and tried to do whatever it takes to get to wealth and fame. Another reason why Jay symbolizes the 1920s was through his character. While this may seem like a small thing the way that his character is portrayed. Throughout the story Jay is shown as a kind-hearted man. He symbolizes the ideal of a 1920s wealthy man. Jay symbolizing the 1920s modern person through his character and his …show more content…
In the Great Gatasby Money and Materialism are at the center of each character’s lives. On the Money Side of things each of the characters that are shown are very high up in social class. “Every Friday five crates of oranges and lemons arrived form a fruitier in New York every Monday these same oranges left his back door.” (Fitzgerald 39). The characters are caught up in materialism and wealth when every week you are ordering fruit in huge quantities especially when there are five crates. Going back to the big parties that Gatasby had it is understandable to have so much food. “At least once a fortnight a corps of caterers came down with several hundred feet of canvas enough colored lights to make a Christmas tree of Gatsby’s enormous garden” (Fitzgerald 39). If you can have caterers and get enough lighting to cover a huge Christmas tree you probably wrapped up in materials and wealth. None of the Characters are poor and they all live very proper lives. The drive to be wealthy is seen in all the characters each one displays a desire to have more wealth. They are always upgrading the things that they have, and each character has a nice house and has a lot of money and they like to display what their money has got them. On the materialism side each character likes to show off what they have. Jay likes to show