Equasity In The Great Gatsby

In the novel The Great Gatsby, Scott Fitzgerald uses the setting and imagery to convey the concept that humans become lonelier as their social status increases. Through this, the author implies that the American Dream depends on the individual and that money does not equate happiness. While money does give individuals materialistic happiness, it does not give them actual, prolonged happiness, which leaves the individual feeling empty. In turn, the individual will eventually feel empty because there is only so much money can buy.
The protagonist, Jay Gatsby, was brought up poor and later became a part of the upper class. Since “his parents were shiftless and unsuccessful farm people” (58), he resented his past lifestyle and the way people perceived …show more content…
Due to a large influx of money into the economy, a large amount of people experienced economic prosperity and an increase in status. Since World War I had just ended, people sought to live their life extravagantly and as carefree as possible. The American Dream, which was once seen as working hard and accumulating wealth gradually, was now thought of as becoming rich overnight. People did not care about the wellbeing of others and viewed wealth as the source of happiness. As stated by Nick when he observed Tom and Daisy’s lifestyle, “They were careless people... they smashed up things and creatures and then retreated back into their money or their vast carelessness or whatever it was that kept them together, and let other people clean up the mess they had made” (145). In this time period, individuals were more prone to corruption and forgot how important their surroundings were. Jay Gatsby’s parties were a way in which he could flaunt to people living off of old money. These people could not throw such lavish parties because their money was inherited, thus it was unable to grow. He hoped that his parties would make him equal to or higher in social status than those living in the West Egg. It is evident that Gatsby wanted to leave a mark on society. However, at his funeral, “the minister glanced several times at his watch... …show more content…
The title itself is ironic because it claimed that Gatsby was great, yet he was never completely satisfied with himself since he never achieved his ideal American Dream. Through his status and death, Fitzgerald shows that life is short-lived and miserable when a strong emphasis is placed on wealth. Therefore, individuals should not conform to society and money because death is unpredictable and life is often wasted on thoughts of regret. Individuals should live life to the fullest and not let social status get in the way of their happiness. The American Dream is seen as untouchable. Regardless of wealth, it is impossible to cross beyond social class limitations imposed by society. Although Gatsby attempted to cross these boundaries, his efforts were done in vain and resulted in his death. When he died, no one remembered him except for Nick Carraway because his money made him distanced from