The Great Gatsby By F. Scott Fitzgerald Essay

During the height of the Roaring Twenties, Americans were overwhelmed by the rise of a modern consumer culture. The growth in the opportunity to buy cars, hair dryers, and even sliced bread generated much more of an excitement than anything like it had ever before. Along with this new buzz came an even larger change in the distribution of wealth in the United States, and the changing of how people valued themselves. Often during this time people thought that money, fame, or power equaled self worth, with many of the newly wealthy thinking that extravagant spending would help them build their confidence and social standing. Jay Gatsby from “The Great Gatsby” by F. Scott Fitzgerald was one of these people. Due to his lack of self confidence, he is the stereotypical wealth from Fitzgerald’s time; not only does Gatsby not know how to handle the wealth that he has recently come into contact with, but because of his poor past he thinks that throwing lavish parties for everyone in town will cover up his inner flaws and diffident personality. The first discussion between Nick and Jordan about what Gatsby wants from Nick shows proof of his unassured personality and lack of self worth. He is too fearful to show Nick how he believes that only his money gives him recognition, and ask Nick’s at the time girlfriend, Jordan to do so for him, as seen on page fifty- one with,
‘Gatsby bought that house so that Daisy would be just across the bay’
. . .
‘He wants to know, continued…