Social Economic Status In The Great Gatsby

The Great Gatsby is an excellent example of how social economic status influences people’s behavior and actions toward other individuals. The 1920’s, the time period in which The Great Gatsby takes place in, was known as the “roaring twenties”. It was a time of change in America, socially and economically. During this era there was more mass production and consumption, people spent money freely, and the stock market was rising tremendously. The main character’s in The Great Gatsby are Gatsby, Tom Buchanan, Daisy Buchanan, Myrtle Wilson, Jordan Baker, and Nick Caraway, who is also the narrator. Each of these character’s holds a different social economic status and power. Throughout this novel the wealth of the characters’ substantially affects …show more content…
Specifically, who has the most power and authority over who. The three people that hold the most power are Tom Buchanan, Daisy Buchanan, and Gatsby. Each of these characters hold the power in a different setting. Tom impacts Daisy because of his money and social economic status. In the article “Desire in The Great Gatsby” written by Bjornar Grande it is said that, “Tom Buchanan represents the old social elite, characterized as brutal, class-conscious, irresponsible, undisciplined, racist, idle, and philandering. The smug conceit of "The Rich Boy" has hardened into Tom’s arrogant cruelty” (Grande 9). Daisy likes the finer things in life and is materialistic, she also knows that Tom could get her anything she desires, therefore Daisy allows Tom maintain a relationship with Myrtle because she does not want to jeopardize not having nice objects. Tom is aware of this and he uses this knowledge to his advantage and proceed in the affair. Tom knows that because Daisy is somewhat materialist that she will never leave him. This supports the idea that Tom holds power and authority over Daisy. Westermeyer states in the Review of the Great Gatsby …show more content…
She is flirty and knows how to get what she wants from both Gatsby and Tom. Selvi Bunce says in the article “Love and Money: An Analysis of The Great Gatsby” that she was “born and raised in old money, Daisy knows how to act. She represents what new money cannot buy. For example, when Nick and Gatsby are discussing Daisy 's voice, Gatsby suddenly says, "Her voice is full of money" (Fitzgerald 120). He says this with a seriousness that is not characteristic of a man blinded by love” (Bunce 165). Although, when it comes to extra marital affairs Daisy seems to be somewhat insecure with both Tom’s affairs with Myrtle and her own affair with Gatsby. Even though she knows about Tom’s affair, Daisy stays with Tom and allows him to keep seeing Myrtle. This is most likely due to the fact that she is worried about her reputation and money. The relationship she has with Gatsby is an interesting one. It seems that Daisy never did stop loving Gatsby, she tells him that she never did love Tom, but when it comes time to tell Tom this she goes into denial and explains that she loved both men by saying “‘Oh, you want too much!’ she cried to Gatsby. ‘I love you now--- isn’t that enough? I can’t help what’s past.’ She began to sob helplessly. ‘I did love him once--- but I loved you too’” ( Fitzgerald 132). In the end though she ends up staying with Tom and