Social Class In The Great Gatsby

Instead, Fitzgerald explores two efferent classes of the wealthy. There are individuals, like Jordan Baker, who were born into their wealth. Her family has most likely had money for generations on end. Because of this they are called “old money’. In The Great Gatsby, the people who are born into old money do not have to work, do not talk about their wealth, and are able to go through their days entertaining themselves with whatever makes them happy. The characters who represent this group, Tom, Daisy, and Jordan, are most likely the most selective group, making distinctions of a person’s kind of wealth.

They base heir decisions not on how much wealth a person has, but on how long that person has had their wealth and how they made It. In the asses Gatsby and many others acquired their wealth. People like this were considered “new money”. The fact that these people are new money is enough reason for old money people, like Tom and Daisy, to not include them in their circle.

According to the old money way of thinking, new money people could never have their kind of taste and sophistication. Not only does Gatsby “work”, but his origins are from a poor class, which means that he could not be good enough for Daisy.

What Is New Money In The Great Gatsby

Daisy, coming from old money, is Judgmental and shallow. When she first met Gatsby, she decided she could not possibly be with him because of his lack of money.

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She failed to look at the essence of Gatsby and realize that this man was hard working and willing to make more money. Instead, she believed that she was superior and could not stoop to love a man without as much money as she. But are people from new money any different? If we look at Gatsby new money party-goers, we see that they attend his parties uninvited, they eat and drink his food, yet they don’t show the courtesy to meet Gatsby.

After Gatsby death, hey do not even show up to his funeral. Obviously, Fitzgerald does not show either the new or old money characters in a complimentary light. Their highest priority is living for today, the next party, and on what they can spend their money. Fitzgerald did a Just as explicit a job when portraying the middle class. Nick, even though he is from a family with some wealth, does not have by any means as much money as Tom or Daisy. In the end, he is revealed as a man with principles and integrity. He is confident In himself and his accomplishments and Is, therefore, able to mingle among the classes.

In a word, Nick Is content. Myrtle, though, Is on the other side of the middle class spectrum. She Is currently married too middle class man, but Is a leads her into having an affair with Tom. Because of this need, Myrtle has distanced nearest Trot morals, Ana NAS no problem accenting on nerd NASDAQ IT It means Tanat for a short while she can live the lifestyle she desires. The Great Gatsby is often viewed as Fitzgerald masterpiece. It portrays an accurate picture of American society in the asses. The asses were filled with post-war economic growth, and Fitzgerald presents the frenzy of society to take part in that growth.

The characters in the novel exemplify the ease with which new and greed can derail one’s moral code. Other characters, especially those in the old money class, are only minimally aware that a moral code even matters. At the same time, Fitzgerald portrays a third group represented by Nick. These people stand apart from the social frenzy. They hold their moral code above the quest for wealth. They live apart from the lure of social class. Despite the wish of many to view America as a classless society, The Great Gatsby reveals that class distinctions not only exist but also define acceptable behavior.