Maintaining a respectable social status and image is essential in the upper class society. Social image is paramount, especially when it is associated with love and wealth. This is significant throughout the novel The Great Gatsby by F. Scott Fitzgerald because, social image is the foundation of the wealthy as they judge and comport themselves according to their status. For instance, after Daisy decides to reconcile with Tom. Nick concludes “They weren’t happy, and neither of them had touched the chicken or the ale – and yet they weren’t unhappy either. There was an unmistakable air of natural intimacy about the picture” (138). Evidently, Daisy is no longer in love with Gatsby because Tom successfully tarnishes Gatsby’s image. From a wealthy
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Instead, she decides to reconcile with Tom because this way, Daisy will be able to keep her perfect social image intact. Furthermore, Gatsby does not realize that his ostentatious behavior is actually detrimental towards his social image. Considering that Gatsby claims to be raised by a noble family; his extravagant display of his wealth contradicts his claims. Gatsby’s oblivion of class is displayed when Tom requests Gatsby to ‘“Take my coupe and let me drive your car to town.’ The suggestion was distasteful to Gatsby” (115). The reason why Gatsby finds the suggestion “distasteful” is because; Gatsby’s perception of noble class is ostentatious and pretentious behaviour. However, people born in a wealthy family have a more sophisticated and elegant taste. As a result, Gatsby feels inferior when driving a classy car like the coupe as he feels it does not represent his social status, on the other hand, Tom recognizes Gatsby’s false attempt to associate himself with a high-born family just by the way he portrayed himself. Through Tom’s eyes, Gatsby’s pretentious actions cause Gatsby to lowers his social status. As a result, Tom dislikes
Instead, she decides to reconcile with Tom because this way, Daisy will be able to keep her perfect social image intact. Furthermore, Gatsby does not realize that his ostentatious behavior is actually detrimental towards his social image. Considering that Gatsby claims to be raised by a noble family; his extravagant display of his wealth contradicts his claims. Gatsby’s oblivion of class is displayed when Tom requests Gatsby to ‘“Take my coupe and let me drive your car to town.’ The suggestion was distasteful to Gatsby” (115). The reason why Gatsby finds the suggestion “distasteful” is because; Gatsby’s perception of noble class is ostentatious and pretentious behaviour. However, people born in a wealthy family have a more sophisticated and elegant taste. As a result, Gatsby feels inferior when driving a classy car like the coupe as he feels it does not represent his social status, on the other hand, Tom recognizes Gatsby’s false attempt to associate himself with a high-born family just by the way he portrayed himself. Through Tom’s eyes, Gatsby’s pretentious actions cause Gatsby to lowers his social status. As a result, Tom dislikes