In today’s society, the way one obtains their wealth can directly affect others opinions of them. Those who earn their money through inheritance often feel superior to the working man in society. They create social classes that involve prejudices against people in lower classes then themselves. These ideas of feeling superior occurred on a high level back in the 1920s. Many avoided conversation and association with those who had to work for their money instead of just inheriting it. Furthermore, people became obsessed with attaining materials and prizes to elevate their status in society, Fitzgerald portrays wealth throughout The Great Gatsby by establishing the differences between the socially elite “old money” and the disregarded “new
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The people who are considered “old money” inherited their money from their ancestors while those who are “new money” had to work and earn their money. Many considered “old money” look down on the “new money” thinking that they did not deserve the money because they were not born into an affluent family. One example of this was when Tom asserts that, “A lot of these newly rich people are just big bootlegger, you know” (Fitzgerald 107). Tom argues that the only way they could get rich would be by running illegal operations. The “old money” think very poorly of the “new money” and often separate themselves from them socially and physically. Although the “new money” often has the money to live where they want, “old money” shuns them away from East Egg, which forces them to live in West Egg. Nick reveals that he, “lived at West Egg, the - well, the less fashionable of the two”(Fitzgerald 5). Since “new money” lived in West Egg, it was considered worse than East Egg because “old money” controlled the social aspects of their society. Fitzgerald highlights the differences between “old money” and “new money” by separating them socially and …show more content…
Fitzgerald also reveals that one’s pursuit of wealth and status has little effect on their happiness as seen in Gatsby’s rise and fall. Many members of “old money” looked down on the “new money” thinking that they did not deserve the money that they worked for. Money and materialism induces people to act selfishly because they think that they will be able to shield themselves with their money. Gatsby’s rise and fall displays how although he pursued wealth and status, he was unable to obtain happiness. Fitzgerald portrays the pursuit of wealth in a poor light throughout the novel to indicate that it was not the key to Gatsby’s happiness. The social classes that are created today are direct reflections of the mistakes of many to seek wealth instead of
The people who are considered “old money” inherited their money from their ancestors while those who are “new money” had to work and earn their money. Many considered “old money” look down on the “new money” thinking that they did not deserve the money because they were not born into an affluent family. One example of this was when Tom asserts that, “A lot of these newly rich people are just big bootlegger, you know” (Fitzgerald 107). Tom argues that the only way they could get rich would be by running illegal operations. The “old money” think very poorly of the “new money” and often separate themselves from them socially and physically. Although the “new money” often has the money to live where they want, “old money” shuns them away from East Egg, which forces them to live in West Egg. Nick reveals that he, “lived at West Egg, the - well, the less fashionable of the two”(Fitzgerald 5). Since “new money” lived in West Egg, it was considered worse than East Egg because “old money” controlled the social aspects of their society. Fitzgerald highlights the differences between “old money” and “new money” by separating them socially and …show more content…
Fitzgerald also reveals that one’s pursuit of wealth and status has little effect on their happiness as seen in Gatsby’s rise and fall. Many members of “old money” looked down on the “new money” thinking that they did not deserve the money that they worked for. Money and materialism induces people to act selfishly because they think that they will be able to shield themselves with their money. Gatsby’s rise and fall displays how although he pursued wealth and status, he was unable to obtain happiness. Fitzgerald portrays the pursuit of wealth in a poor light throughout the novel to indicate that it was not the key to Gatsby’s happiness. The social classes that are created today are direct reflections of the mistakes of many to seek wealth instead of