The theme of class is a central element in F. Scott Fitzgerald's novel, The Great Gatsby. Set in the summer of 1922, the story follows the wealthy young man, Jay Gatsby, as he tries to win back his former love, Daisy Buchanan. However, Gatsby's wealth and social status are constantly pitted against those of Daisy and her husband, Tom Buchanan, leading to a complex exploration of the role that class plays in the relationships and interactions between the characters.
One of the key themes of The Great Gatsby is the corrupting influence of wealth and the decadence of the wealthy elite. The Buchanans, who come from old money and belong to the established upper class, embody this corruption. Tom is a cheat and a bully, and Daisy is shallow and selfish, valuing material possessions and social status above all else. Gatsby, on the other hand, is a self-made man who has amassed a fortune through illegal means, such as bootlegging and other nefarious activities. While Gatsby may have the same level of wealth as the Buchanans, he is not a part of their social class and is looked down upon by them.
The theme of class is also evident in the way that the characters interact with each other. The Buchanans look down on those who are not part of their social circle, such as Gatsby and the narrator, Nick Carraway. They are contemptuous of those who are not wealthy and see them as inferior. This is exemplified in a conversation between Tom and Nick, in which Tom asserts his belief that the "white race" is superior to all others and that the lower classes are "just as well off" as they are.
The theme of class is also evident in the way that the characters view love and relationships. For the Buchanans, love is a commodity that can be bought and sold. Daisy is willing to leave Gatsby for Tom, even though she is still in love with Gatsby, because Tom is wealthy and can provide her with the lifestyle she desires. Gatsby, on the other hand, is willing to do anything to win back Daisy's love, including breaking the law and risking his own safety. He is unable to see that Daisy is not worthy of his love and is blinded by his own wealth and social status.
In conclusion, the theme of class plays a significant role in The Great Gatsby. It is used to explore the corrupting influence of wealth and the decadence of the wealthy elite, as well as the way that class affects the relationships and interactions between the characters. The novel ultimately suggests that wealth and social status do not necessarily lead to happiness and fulfillment, and that true love and happiness are not bound by class.
How is the upper class portrayed in The Great Gatsby?
Why do big chain retailers get to decide on their own safety standards for supply-chain workers? So he was disappointed to think that if he worked hard enough, Daisy would fall to his knees again, and that they would be able to move forward as if his 5-year break in her life had never happened. Since the creation of social classes, a social division between both the rich and poor has developed. Tom gets mad because he does not think that myrtle to say something like that and mock his golden girl Daisy. In one of his famous books, the Great Gatsby, he expressed multiple phenomena that reflected its social context through multiple ways. The way people in the upper class behave toward others and in society demonstrates how corruptive they are. Rather than use that philosophy as inspiration to move to the top honestly, Gatsby saw it as a license to get to the top however he could, regardless of the ethics involved — or the lack thereof. Daisy deceits Gatsby for her own advantage, she uses him and plays with his love for her.
Working Class In Great Gatsby, Sample of Essays
What was the social class in West Egg? She was also the representation of the amoral values that the East Eggers seemed to have and was the embodiment of women transitioning towards empowerment. They dreamed of ascending the social ladder, but death got to them. Nick Caraway, who plays the narrator, does not side with either one of them. The tall man on the far left represent the upper class; he is extremely self-assured, relaxed, well-dressed, and confident, much like Tom Buchanan. According to this theme, viewers see how the established relationship of the novel is soon destroyed due to the widespread deterioration of material goods and values. Tom tells George that Gatsby was the one who drove the yellow car, the car that kills Myrtles, which is the same car that George previously saw Tom drove in.
Women Oppression and Social Class in The Great Gatsby
It soon turns out that his imperishable dream is based on greed and crime, which in itself is representative of the American dream; the pursuit of happiness, which has grown into a search for simple wealth by any means necessary. Tom is also the earliest person to use physical violence in the book, striking Myrtle in a fit of rage when she would not stop shouting Daisy 's name. The laws set by society do not apply to everyone, whether that be by legal exceptions, or just an immense amount of money and power. At the party Tom runs off with some woman while Gatsby steals Daisy away to the gardens to talk with her in private. Even though alcohol is prohibited during this time, she drinks freely. I am still a little afraid of missing something if I forget that, as my father snobbishly suggested, and I snobbishly repeat, a sense of the fundamental decencies is parcelled out unequally at birth. The working class of America is symbolized by the apartment above the gas station and auto shop of The nouveau riche class of the early 1920s is symbolized by East and West Egg are symbols of class.
The Great Gatsby And Social Class Essay Example
Fitzgerald illustrates the corruption in the way upper class is care-less about their behavior. How it works In conclusion, due to the nature of the male dominated world, women were in no doubt, oppressed. This is especially touched upon in F. It was also evident from the relationship of Tom and Daisy, Tom and Myrtle and George and Myrtle that in 1920s, women were often dependent, powerless and submissive to men. Nick later recounts how one of Gatsby's bootleggers, who called home, had no idea that Gatsby had left. Ironically, later, we will learn that Gatsby is in fact from a family of poor farmers. Fitzgerald attacks the rich, which Maurer explains is obvious.
