The Great Gatsby is entirely built on class stratification and the idea of the American Dream, which causes people to act selfishly and behave a certain way, especially when it comes to those the individual loves. The book is set in the 1920s, a time period where people were able to become wealthy very quickly. This, however, caused many disputes between people of old money and those of new. Old money was inherited and usually passed on from one generation to the next, which is why they remained rich. New money was when a person became rich really quickly, usually acquired from illegal means (Marxist Interpretations). F. Scott Fitzgerald puts emphasis on the different groups of people only to connect them all with the overarching theme of money
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The biggest theme of the book is the American Dream, focusing mainly on Jay Gatsby’s approach to the American Dream. The setting of the book was the 1920s so it made sense for Gatsby to be one of the people part of the new money group. Therefore, the American Dream is proven to be true when it comes to Gatsby, as he went from being the son of farmers to living in a mansion in West Egg (Marxist Interpretations). However, the book focuses mainly on how money can corrupt people, including Gatsby himself. “His parents were shiftless and unsuccessful farm people,” (Fitzgerald 98). Gatsby’s past and the truth about how he became so wealthy is revealed by Nick. Nick was the narrator so everything was told through his point of view and perception of Gatsby and the other characters. It is proven here that Gatsby is rich because of new money, which is why Tom and him do not get along so well. Tom and Daisy are both from old money and when it is revealed that Jay is not from the same social class from them they are repulsed. Gatsby believes he’s achieved the American Dream because he is now part of the wealthy class but that is not the case. “He had waited five years and bought a mansion where he dispensed …show more content…
Tom is the wealthiest and he finds a way to always boast about it. He relates everything back to money somehow. “Tom carries the knowledge of his social inferiority inside himself,” (Tyson 71). Tom’s money is not technically new money but in the East it would not be considered old either. This means that when Tom was living in the West, he would be from old money because his family inherited the money. Since he moved to the East, his money is newer than those who have lived there for a long time because the East was colonised first. Knowing this and carrying this burden is what makes Tom so aggressive. It is an insecurity so he must bring others down and constantly prove that his money is old money. Tom has an affair with Myrtle who is not rich, but his aggression and attitude towards her is how he copes with the fact that he is a considered a “latecomer” to the game. He uses the relationship as a way to reassure himself that money and power are the most important things and they count for something. The social classes are presented in a chilling way in order to convey the message that those who have money are not necessarily happy. The Valley of Ashes represents broken dreams and lost hope. This is where Myrtle and her husband live. This could also be the reason Myrtle puts up with Tom; she wants to leave the Valley. But, as shown in the book, it’s very hard to achieve the American Dream, not even
The biggest theme of the book is the American Dream, focusing mainly on Jay Gatsby’s approach to the American Dream. The setting of the book was the 1920s so it made sense for Gatsby to be one of the people part of the new money group. Therefore, the American Dream is proven to be true when it comes to Gatsby, as he went from being the son of farmers to living in a mansion in West Egg (Marxist Interpretations). However, the book focuses mainly on how money can corrupt people, including Gatsby himself. “His parents were shiftless and unsuccessful farm people,” (Fitzgerald 98). Gatsby’s past and the truth about how he became so wealthy is revealed by Nick. Nick was the narrator so everything was told through his point of view and perception of Gatsby and the other characters. It is proven here that Gatsby is rich because of new money, which is why Tom and him do not get along so well. Tom and Daisy are both from old money and when it is revealed that Jay is not from the same social class from them they are repulsed. Gatsby believes he’s achieved the American Dream because he is now part of the wealthy class but that is not the case. “He had waited five years and bought a mansion where he dispensed …show more content…
Tom is the wealthiest and he finds a way to always boast about it. He relates everything back to money somehow. “Tom carries the knowledge of his social inferiority inside himself,” (Tyson 71). Tom’s money is not technically new money but in the East it would not be considered old either. This means that when Tom was living in the West, he would be from old money because his family inherited the money. Since he moved to the East, his money is newer than those who have lived there for a long time because the East was colonised first. Knowing this and carrying this burden is what makes Tom so aggressive. It is an insecurity so he must bring others down and constantly prove that his money is old money. Tom has an affair with Myrtle who is not rich, but his aggression and attitude towards her is how he copes with the fact that he is a considered a “latecomer” to the game. He uses the relationship as a way to reassure himself that money and power are the most important things and they count for something. The social classes are presented in a chilling way in order to convey the message that those who have money are not necessarily happy. The Valley of Ashes represents broken dreams and lost hope. This is where Myrtle and her husband live. This could also be the reason Myrtle puts up with Tom; she wants to leave the Valley. But, as shown in the book, it’s very hard to achieve the American Dream, not even