Theme Of Injustice In The Great Gatsby

Register to read the introduction… Throughout The Great Gatsby, the wealthy take advantage of the lower classes. For example, although he was rich, Jay Gatsby was seen as lower class because he did not inherit his money. Accumulated money and upward social climbing were looked down upon (Tunc 69). This is the very reason that Tom would not accept Gatsby into his social circle. Nonetheless, this wealth made Gatsby vulnerable to the higher social classes, who took enjoyed and benefitted from his lavish parties. These people attend his parties, some of them not even invited; however, when Gatsby dies, none of these people attend his funeral (G11). This shows that they took advantage of Gatsby because they benefitted from his wealth and his parties. Nonetheless, not a single one was friends with Gatsby, because if he/she was, he/she would have showed up to his funeral. Another example of this injustice occurs when Tom takes advantage of the Wilson’s. As a white male who inherited is wealth, Tom is the figure of not only gender dominance but also class dominance (D8). Tom uses this to his advantage as he uses George’s naivety to cover up Tom’s affair with Myrtle. However, not only does Tom use George, but he also uses Myrtle and her want for attention. She submits herself to Tom not only to satisfy his lust, but also as an outlet for his anger (D8). This helps to create the image of the wealthy being powerful (G11). Throughout The Great Gatsby, the wealthy are able to get almost anything they want because of money, even the patronage of other human beings. Wealth is one of the most prevalent themes in the novel and the center of attention. Myrtle talks and dreams about all of the material items she could have (A19). In fact, wealth is the reason that Myrtle submits to Tom and allows him to abuse her (D8). Myrtle allows her love of money to blind her and Tom takes advantage of this, giving him even more power. This makes it …show more content…
The idea is if we don’t look out the white race will be—will be utterly submerged. It’s all scientific stuff; it’s been proved.” (Fitzgerald 25)
From this quote, one can infer that Tom thought that the non-white races would eventually breed out the white races. This attitude sounds very isolationist and almost reflects the same intolerance seen in the Ku Klux Klan. Nonetheless, this quote is actually based upon the research of Charles Davenport (E15), who believed that mixing races could cause problems such as madness and even alcoholism (F10). (Insert clever commentary here…). Thus, by the use of Tom’s book and its history, we can see some of the harshness that non-whites of the 1920s had to endure. Throughout the The Great Gatsby, the treatment of women, lower social classes, and non-white races proves to be unjust. This creates the theme of oppression which proves to be a rather effective tool, as it serves as a mirror to the past. As one gazes into its beaming reflection, he/she will see the oppression that women, lower social classes, blacks, and immigrants had to endure. This great novel has truly shed some light upon some unsightly features of the past and has exposed America for who she truly is; hopefully, we will realize our mistakes of the past and not make the same mistakes in the future (I’m going to fix this