Established Wealth in The Great Gatsby - 1180 Words

The established wealthy have the ability to use their wealth however they desire. Their wealth is important to many people below them as it can give tremendous opportunities, which can equal monetary gain for the people. But, the established wealthy many time use their wealth and statues against people, as a way to not allow characters to advance in their social and economic position. Tom Buchannan is a prominent figure in The Great Gatsby who shows this selfishness as he utilizes the immense wealth that he has to take control of people situations. He is opposed to allowing people to advance their economic status. He shows his hesitation for advancement with his control over George B Wilson when he is dealing with the terms of selling his automobile. When George comments saying, â€Å"Works pretty slow, don’t he’ ‘No he doesn’t’ said Tom coldly. ‘And if you feel that way about it maybe I’d better sell it somewhere else after allâ€⠄¢ ‘I don’t mean that† explained Wilson quickly† (Fitzgerald 28). Toms defiance of, not selling his car, shows that the rich are limit the advancement of other’s to move higher up. This scenario is a microcosm of the higher American social environment, which the established wealthy try to limit the growth of peoples capital, and also limit the status of people below them. They feel that their position is of such a high value, gives them the authority to determine who advances, and who doesn’t, and the only way to be one of them is to be born into it. TheShow MoreRelatedThe Great Gatsby by F. Scott Fitzgerald1223 Words   |  5 Pagesbeginning of the novel, Gatsby was recognized as a visionary who was charismatic, courteous, and very secretive. Once the plot began to unravel, the audience yearns for additional and further demand an explanation of the unidentified lifestyle: that everything he had been through in his career as Jay Gatsby had be en with the only determination of satisfying the utmost idealistic dreams — to relive his past. Jay Gatsby was in numerous aspects, as the name of the novel advocated, great, but when consideredRead MoreThe Great Gatsby By F. Scott Fitzgerald1674 Words   |  7 PagesThe Great Gatsby by F. Scott Fitzgerald is a novel that was published in 1925 which was a period known as the â€Å"roaring twenties†. During this period, America was witnessing a post war euphoria that was a companied by prosperity, glamour, self-indulgence and excessive consumption (Bloomfield, p. 17). According to Bourdieu, America at that time was going through a gaudiest spree in history that was characterized by a lot of social change and mobility (p.2). For example, the stock market was gettingRead MoreAspirations And Greatness : F. Scott Fitzgerald s The Great Gatsby 1436 Words   |  6 PagesAspirations and Greatness; The Case of Jay Gatsby Dedication and tenacity are examples of attributes that allow one to accomplish a societal label for effort shown towards attaining goals and dreams. Through his work The Great Gatsby, F.Scott Fitzgerald used the protagonist, Jay Gatsby, to demonstrate the American Dream and greatness. Gatsby was a mysterious character, commonly mistaken as a mere criminal; but actually, he was a victim of his perseverance and the American Dream. Despite his criminalRead MoreImmortality in The Great Gatsby Essay examples801 Words   |  4 Pages It may, but in the novel The Great Gatsby written by F. Scott Fitzgerald money is what causes greed and death. The novel is filled with multiple themes but one predominate theme that the author focuses on is immorality. The novel was written in the1920s which was a time that drew away from social and moral values and yearned for its greed and empty pursuit of pleasure. Gatsby, gains his wealth through bootlegging only because he wants to show Daisy his we alth. Sadly, his determination for hisRead MoreEssay about A Critical Review of F. Scott Fitzgeralds The Great Gatsby1555 Words   |  7 PagesA Critical Review of F. Scott Fitzgeralds The Great Gatsby The Great Gatsby by F. Scott Fitzgerald is a universal and timeless literary masterpiece. Fitzgerald writes the novel during his time, about his time, and showing the bitter deterioration of his time. A combination of the 1920s high society lifestyle and the desperate attempts to reach its illusionary goals through wealth and power creates the essence behind The Great Gatsby. Nick Carraway, the narrator, moves to a quaint neighborhoodRead MoreF. Scott Fitzgeralds The Great Gatsby Essay1459 Words   |  6 PagesThe Great Gatsby, a highly acclaim American novel by F. Scott Fitzgerald, entails the demise of the American dream by means of drawing a parallel between Jay Gatsby, a character whom covers his inner qualities with the idealistic characteristics of the rich during the Roaring Twenties in order to obtain the affection go the beloved and deeply flawed Daisy. Regrettably, throughout his conquest for Daisy’s affection, Gatsby falsely presumes that through his accumulation of wealth he will be able toRead MoreThe Great Gatsby-Plaza Hotel987 Words   |  4 PagesThe Great Gatsby This passage from novel â€Å"The Great Gatsby† by F. Scott Fitzgerald occurs at the end of chapter seven, when Nick, Gatsby, Daisy, Tom and Jordan are at the Plaza Hotel in New York. It is the hottest day of the summer and Tom and Gatsby are in the middle of a quarrel, after Tom initiates a confrontation with Gatsby whereby he accuses Gatsby of running a bootlegging operation. This then turns into a quarrel over Daisy, which eventually results in Daisy feeling closer to Tom and awayRead MoreThe Great Gatsby By F. Scott Fitzgerald999 Words   |  4 PagesThe Great Gatsby by F. Scott Fitzgerald, is a glimpse into the lives of the high class of the roaring twenties through Nick Carraway’s, a simple man from the mid-west, eyes. This novel depicts the aspects of the American dream, and the truth about achieving it. The American dream has been portrayed through many books, movies, and such over time. The qualities of the American dream shown throughout The Great Gatsby, are hope and success. James Gatz, also known as Jay Gatsby, dedicated his life toRead More The Great Gatsby As A Tragedy Essay902 Words   |  4 PagesThe Great Gatsby As A Tragedy A hurried read of F. Scott Fitzgeralds The Great Gatsby can generate a tragic impression. The deaths of three of the main characters and the failure of Gatsby and Daisys romance can be viewed as tragic. However, a deeper analysis of the book reveals a much deeper tragedy. The relentless struggles of Gatsby himself parallel Fitzgeralds apparent ideas of the struggles of all Americans. The American dream romanticized by the majority of the population is reallyRead MoreThe Pursuit Of The American Dream By F. Scott Fitzgerald1653 Words   |  7 PagesAmerican Dream is only a dream that few can achieve. As shown in F. Scott Fitzgerald’s books, The Great Gatsby and This Side of Paradise, the pursuit of the American Dream proves to result in one’s demise. Jay Gatsby in The Great Gatsby and Amory Blaine in This Side of Paradise are unsuccessful in their attempt to attain the attention of the person they like, lose connections with people, and their wealth did not get them as far in life as they thought it would. In This Side of Paradise, Amory Blaine