The Great Gatsby, written by F. Scott Fitzgerald during the roaring twenties, serves as an ironic representation of the society during that time period. In The Great Gatsby, F. Scott Fitzgerald uses cars to represent a variety of subjects. The way the characters in the book drive acts as a reflection of their lifestyle. The writer uses the depiction of cars to illustrate a new-found sense of freedom for women, social progress and social status.
Throughout the text, Fitzgerald associates female characters with cars the cars represent the mobility and freedom that women in the 1920s were beginning to find. Prior to this time; women did not have this freedom, just like they rarely possessed a car. Fitzgerald recognizes the women`s changing in …show more content…
During Tom and Nick’s visit to Wilson’s garage, Nick refers to the Ford that Wilson owns as a “dust covered wreck that is crouched in a dim corner” (38). The Ford represents Wilson’s inability to progress higher in society, and the reality that he is relegated to a dark corner of society. Throughout the book, he is never able to move out of the valley of ashes and progress. The phrase “dust-covered” signifies that the Ford has been sitting in the same spot for a long time. Like the car, Wilson remains in the same position socially. Wilson wants to buy Tom’s coupe in order to gain mobility both literally and in society. But Tom constantly stalls Wilson’s requests. This prevents Wilson from gaining the mobility to move away, while also preventing Wilson from having an opportunity to gain social mobility. This scenario hints that the ruthless lifestyle of the rich victimizes the poor and prevents them from progressing. Wilson’s inability to progress is experienced by others as well. Throughout the book, cars constantly become broken due to careless driving. This suggests that the lifestyle choices of the driver inhibit their own ability to progress. This is illustrated by Tom’s accident that occurs when he is having an affair with a chambermaid from the Santa Barbara hotel (120). The accident rips off the wheel from his car, which makes it unable to move anymore. This suggests that Tom is …show more content…
When Gatsby picks Nick up for lunch, Nick describes the Rolls-Royce as “rich cream color, bright and there in its monstrous length with triumphant hat-boxes and supper-boxes and tool-boxes, and terraced with a labyrinth of wind-shields that mirrored a dozen suns” (99). This car represents the enormous wealth that Gatsby possesses, while also hints at the difference between him and others, who have inherited their wealth, such as Daisy. Unlike Gatsby, Daisy owns a pure color roadster that suggests she does not need an overly fancy vehicle to show off her wealth and class. The rich cream color of Gatsby`s vehicle is reminiscent of imitation gold, which suggests that Gatsby’s appearance is fake. The same idea, that Gatsby intentionally overcompensates his wealth and class, is also shown by Gatsby 's fake description of himself to Nick on the trip to New York. He describes himself as the “son of some wealthy people in the middle west” (100). Gatsby tries to fit himself into the same category with Daisy, who has inherited her wealth. He imagines that he is finally equal to Daisy, although he is never truly able to actually accomplish this. This is confirmed when, at Daisy’s tea party, Tom’s labels the yellow Rolls-Royce as a “circus wagon” (188). A circus wagon is a fancy car for a performance. The same reference also applies to Gatsby; his gorgeous appearance also serves as a
Throughout the text, Fitzgerald associates female characters with cars the cars represent the mobility and freedom that women in the 1920s were beginning to find. Prior to this time; women did not have this freedom, just like they rarely possessed a car. Fitzgerald recognizes the women`s changing in …show more content…
During Tom and Nick’s visit to Wilson’s garage, Nick refers to the Ford that Wilson owns as a “dust covered wreck that is crouched in a dim corner” (38). The Ford represents Wilson’s inability to progress higher in society, and the reality that he is relegated to a dark corner of society. Throughout the book, he is never able to move out of the valley of ashes and progress. The phrase “dust-covered” signifies that the Ford has been sitting in the same spot for a long time. Like the car, Wilson remains in the same position socially. Wilson wants to buy Tom’s coupe in order to gain mobility both literally and in society. But Tom constantly stalls Wilson’s requests. This prevents Wilson from gaining the mobility to move away, while also preventing Wilson from having an opportunity to gain social mobility. This scenario hints that the ruthless lifestyle of the rich victimizes the poor and prevents them from progressing. Wilson’s inability to progress is experienced by others as well. Throughout the book, cars constantly become broken due to careless driving. This suggests that the lifestyle choices of the driver inhibit their own ability to progress. This is illustrated by Tom’s accident that occurs when he is having an affair with a chambermaid from the Santa Barbara hotel (120). The accident rips off the wheel from his car, which makes it unable to move anymore. This suggests that Tom is …show more content…
When Gatsby picks Nick up for lunch, Nick describes the Rolls-Royce as “rich cream color, bright and there in its monstrous length with triumphant hat-boxes and supper-boxes and tool-boxes, and terraced with a labyrinth of wind-shields that mirrored a dozen suns” (99). This car represents the enormous wealth that Gatsby possesses, while also hints at the difference between him and others, who have inherited their wealth, such as Daisy. Unlike Gatsby, Daisy owns a pure color roadster that suggests she does not need an overly fancy vehicle to show off her wealth and class. The rich cream color of Gatsby`s vehicle is reminiscent of imitation gold, which suggests that Gatsby’s appearance is fake. The same idea, that Gatsby intentionally overcompensates his wealth and class, is also shown by Gatsby 's fake description of himself to Nick on the trip to New York. He describes himself as the “son of some wealthy people in the middle west” (100). Gatsby tries to fit himself into the same category with Daisy, who has inherited her wealth. He imagines that he is finally equal to Daisy, although he is never truly able to actually accomplish this. This is confirmed when, at Daisy’s tea party, Tom’s labels the yellow Rolls-Royce as a “circus wagon” (188). A circus wagon is a fancy car for a performance. The same reference also applies to Gatsby; his gorgeous appearance also serves as a