An Analysis on Jay Gatsby as the Epitome of the American society in the 1920s
F. Scott Fitzgerald’s Great Gatsby is a novel that focuses on the lives of Americans who belong to the upper class in society in New York set in the 1920s. The 1920s, better known as the Roaring Twenties, was the era characterized by a number of positive and negative outcomes that highly influenced the United States of America. This was the era of economic prosperity, the rise of consumerism, the popularization of Jazz music, and even the rise of women’s status in society. This era also brought about the Prohibition—the banning of liquor, the underground trade that occurred, and the racism that spurred from the migration of African Americans to the northern cities. …show more content…
Gatsby, epitomizing the newly rich, shows that people in this class do not exemplify the characteristics of the proper and original members of the upper class of society. Gatsby lacked the social graces and manners of the upper class. One obvious representation of his alienation from the “old money” is the mere fact that he lives in West Egg as opposed to East Egg, the other half of Long Island, New York where the “old rich” reside. Gatsby also resorted to flaunting his riches in order to solidify his membership in the said social strata in comparison to the old rich who are more responsible with their wealth through his extravagant parties. An obvious example of how Gatsby differs from those of the “old rich” can be seen in Chapter 6 wherein Tom Buchanan, Sloane and his wife visit Gatsby in his mansion and the latter becomes completely oblivious to the intentions of his guests. He is unable to recognize what these “old money” people are trying to impart upon …show more content…
He portrays the “mass culture,” the use of excess money on consumer goods like the automobile, radios, movies, and the new inventions of that time. The age of consumerism is evident in Gatsby through his incessant spending and gallant shows of wealth throughout the novel. Aside from his obvious and ostentatious displays through the parties he holds in his mansion, there are numerous other accounts that show the shift to a consumerist life. First, there are his many possessions, which include his automobile, a Rolls Royce, a high end car that defines his status. He also makes mention of hydroplane, which he invites his neighbor, Nick Carraway, to ride in, in an attempt to ask for a favor. Another instance was his first meeting with Daisy Buchanan after five years. Gatsby asked Nick, Daisy’s cousin, to invite her over for tea one afternoon for him to suddenly appear and have Daisy in his life once again. In preparation for this moment, Gatsby sends over gardeners to Nick’s small house to make the area more visibly appealing and
F. Scott Fitzgerald’s Great Gatsby is a novel that focuses on the lives of Americans who belong to the upper class in society in New York set in the 1920s. The 1920s, better known as the Roaring Twenties, was the era characterized by a number of positive and negative outcomes that highly influenced the United States of America. This was the era of economic prosperity, the rise of consumerism, the popularization of Jazz music, and even the rise of women’s status in society. This era also brought about the Prohibition—the banning of liquor, the underground trade that occurred, and the racism that spurred from the migration of African Americans to the northern cities. …show more content…
Gatsby, epitomizing the newly rich, shows that people in this class do not exemplify the characteristics of the proper and original members of the upper class of society. Gatsby lacked the social graces and manners of the upper class. One obvious representation of his alienation from the “old money” is the mere fact that he lives in West Egg as opposed to East Egg, the other half of Long Island, New York where the “old rich” reside. Gatsby also resorted to flaunting his riches in order to solidify his membership in the said social strata in comparison to the old rich who are more responsible with their wealth through his extravagant parties. An obvious example of how Gatsby differs from those of the “old rich” can be seen in Chapter 6 wherein Tom Buchanan, Sloane and his wife visit Gatsby in his mansion and the latter becomes completely oblivious to the intentions of his guests. He is unable to recognize what these “old money” people are trying to impart upon …show more content…
He portrays the “mass culture,” the use of excess money on consumer goods like the automobile, radios, movies, and the new inventions of that time. The age of consumerism is evident in Gatsby through his incessant spending and gallant shows of wealth throughout the novel. Aside from his obvious and ostentatious displays through the parties he holds in his mansion, there are numerous other accounts that show the shift to a consumerist life. First, there are his many possessions, which include his automobile, a Rolls Royce, a high end car that defines his status. He also makes mention of hydroplane, which he invites his neighbor, Nick Carraway, to ride in, in an attempt to ask for a favor. Another instance was his first meeting with Daisy Buchanan after five years. Gatsby asked Nick, Daisy’s cousin, to invite her over for tea one afternoon for him to suddenly appear and have Daisy in his life once again. In preparation for this moment, Gatsby sends over gardeners to Nick’s small house to make the area more visibly appealing and