Examples Of Wealth In The Great Gatsby

Society has based various cultural aspects on money. Whether it be through obtaining an education, or what social class you are in, e have been categorized based on the money that we have to our name. Certain aspects make this a positive for communities but for many, it is a hindrance. Within the novel The Great Gatsby by Scott Fitzgerald, Fitzgerald uses his character personalities to elaborate on the idea that not all wealth is good wealth. Affluency in the novel “ The Great Gatsby ”, is the foundation of each character, and goes on to further establish what the author is trying to convey; Money can not truly buy happiness.

People were divided into two categories during the prohibition: new money, and old money. Although these categories

were set in place, they were fallible to the keen eye. Whether you made money during the current time, through the boom of wall street, or you inherit your money, it was all the same. Although the characters within the novel felt a certain way about how they obtained money, it was used to the sasm purposes. That being said, there were distinct differences between the two types of money. With new money, homes and cars were modernized, and unparalleled to anything seen before.Whereas in the old money things were poised and lustrus, but seemed to have an older touch. New money vs old money was established through the characters by showing that these norms had been established and followed for many generations. At the beginning of the novel, nick shares a special quote with the reader that states: "Whenever you feel like criticizing any one," he told me, "just remember that all the people in this world haven't had the advantages that you've had" ( Fitzgerald 1). Nick was fortunate enough to be raised in the midwest, where the difference between new money and old money was not always seen. When he moved to West Egg - “the less fashionable of the two” ( Fitzgerald 5), he noticed that there were distinct differences and he used his father’s quote often to remind him not to think any less of those who did not have what he had. Nevertheless, the value of the divide often outweigh the positive relationships between characters, and not only separated them though money, but also socially.
It was known that Gatsby was madly in love with a woman from east egg named Daisy.

They had grown up together, and gatsby knew that that woman was meant to be with him. When gatsby went off to war, the two lost touch. but that did not stop gatsby from hold onto his love. Unfortunately the distance was too much for Daisy, and she found another lover by the name of tom. Gatsby was torn by this, and made it his goal to get Daisy back. He bought oodles of expensive things for his home, and filled it with people, booze, and flowers, in hopes of catching daisy's eye. Gatsby is prideful about his money. Although the ways that he has obtained it are less than favorable, he is proud because he knows that it's all going to Daisy. In fact, he boasts abouts it in various ways by telling her that it “took [him] just three years to earn the money that bought it” ( Fitzgerald 90). He wants to show of to Daisy so that she will realize that she made a mistake marrying Tom. Fitzgerald drowns Gatsby in wealth to symbolize the fact that he is often greedy and stubborn. Gatsby has elegant everything. From the “man in England who buys [him] clothes” ( Fitzgerald 92), to the hundreds of people that come to his home, he wants to show that he has it all. Money is gatsby’s superpower, but yet he is so quick to abuse it, and it's not even for his own

good.

Paragraph 3: What does Gatsby’s rise and fall say about the pursuit of wealth and status in the world of the novel?

Gatsby wants so badly to give the world to Daisy, but in chapter 7 when things heat up, it's learned the Gatsby has made a lot of enemies, and that his money is not from good. In some way the reader wants to sympathize with Gatsby because he has been greedy due to love, but Gatsby is not the man he says he is. He is a scam, and has trapped himself. After so many years of pushing to be with Daisy, his goals are not set in stone. He is always wanting what he can not have. Fitzgerald capture the image that wealthy people abuse their money, for frivolous things. If gatsby would’ve been true to himself rather than pretending, he could've been much more successful. Throughout the novel, Nick watches this happen but yet keeps his mouth closed because he is scared to confront gatsby. Fitzgerald also does this on purpose, to elaborate on the fact that people with money are seen as omnipotent, and unrestricted in their power. Gatsby even tries to demean Nick by offering him work and making the assumption that nick was poor by saying “Why I thought - why , look here, old sport, you don't make much money, do you?”( Fitzgerald 82). Money is the controlling force of Gatsby, and makes him less of a man and more of a coward.

Conclusion: What is Fitzgerald ultimately trying to say about money and materialism?
Money is an item, it's not a feeling, or emotion, but yet people still continues to this day think that it is the most important thing. If gatsby's love for daisy was rooted in faithfulness and compassion, he would’ve never splurged on materialistic things. Society has made people think that if they don’t have money or items, they are worth nothing. In the novel fitzgerald helps convey that money can't buy you a better life, but can taunt you and make you feel small.