The Role Of Class Division In The Great Gatsby

At a young age, children are often asked what occupation he or she would like to pursue in the future. Young children are unaware of the tribulations that are overcome and sacrifices that are made by adults to get a decent career. As time progresses, this ideal vision as a child seems unattainable as an adult due to the hardships that have to be overlooked. In The Great Gatsby, Jay Gatsby aspires to be a wealthy public figure that is adored by many ever since he was in college. While stationed during war, Gatsby becomes infatuated with Daisy Buchanan, a woman that represents everything he desires in order to become successful. Throughout the novel, Gatsby loses Daisy from his tight grasp. Gatsby is continuously excluded from other members of the upper class because of where he resides and where he originated from. Also, …show more content…
Fitzgerald demonstrates the withering of of Gatsby’s dream is ultimately caused by the division of classes and his fear of facing reality. Class division ultimately leads to the deterioration of Gatsby’s dreams. Gatsby is a part of the corrupt new money class in comparison to the aristocratic old money class. Since Gatsby is a new member of this class, Tom and Daisy link him directly to illegal activity. After investigating, Tom refers to Gatsby as “one that hangs around with Meyer Wolfsheim,” one of the well-known bootleggers in New York (133). By labelling Gatsby as a bootlegger, Tom looks down upon him since he made his money through illegal means and did not inherit wealth like he did. This exposition makes Daisy realize she cannot be in love with a criminal. Through