Wealth In The Great Gatsby

At a first, he says that people are not born equal. Here he is referring to how the amount of money a man has defines how his character is. These “fundamental decencies” are no more than being socially adept, that is being well adjusted and knowing how to behave in different situations. He was trying to meditate about his background, contrasting it with the one of the Buchanans, portrayed by Tom, the elitist sportsman, that comes from the East Egg, and as such is part of one of the traditional wealthiest families of the country. While he ─Nick─ also comes from a rich family, he is by no means as rich as his friends, so he had to work and study to be able to sustain himself.
That is in contrast with his affirmation, as he shows that education is what shapes a man. The book clearly lays out the social stratification present at the time, with the poor living a miserable life, working in not so honourable jobs, or working in the jobs no one wants to do, while the people with money spend their life spending it in every possible way, maintaining a lavish lifestyle …show more content…
The best example of this is Gatsby, that came from a family in need, and finally managed to live in a castle; but latter we find out that he made all his money by bootlegging, that is to produce and distribute alcohol, which was outlawed at that time. This shows the actual decline of the american dream, as it was no longer about discovery, individualism, and the pursuit of happiness, It had been corrupted by the crooked up values of the american upper class, as we cannot forget that Gatsby went through all this illegal things to get a social status to impress Daisy, his love and desire, not trying to earn his love with love, but rather with money, the only way he knows