Old Money In The Great Gatsby

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The Great Gatsby, written by F. Scott Fitzgerald, takes place in the year 1922, four years after the Great War. Nick Carraway, the narrator of this story, was a WW1 soldier. Nick grew up in a middle-class family, a family that had enough money to provide him with an education, so after the war, Nick was able to move to the West Egg, a neighborhood slightly less nicer than the East Egg but still admirable. James Gatz, known later on as Jay Gatsby, is Nick’s neighbor who throws extravagant parties for people who do not care about him. Gatsby is driven by this desire for wealth and the American Dream, but no matter how much he makes/spends, he is still not accepted in the “old money” society. Through the eyes of Nick, readers are able to see the …show more content…

She says “There’s something funny about a fellow that’ll do a thing like that,” “He doesn’t want any trouble with anybody”(Fitzgerald 43). Implying that Gatsby is a people pleaser, but even his best efforts to fit in don’t work. This “old money” society focuses more on their own satisfaction and most new money people, who are considered below them, don't deserve their time of day. Gatsby is a victim of societal assumptions and moral behaviors. Throughout F. Scott Fitzgerald's novel, The Great Gatsby, readers are able to notice specific examples alienating Gatsby from the members of the old money society. They do this in various ways, such as, forming assumptions about him, focusing more on their self-image rather than befriending him, and only hearing what they want to hear. Jay Gatsby choosing to be a reserved guy is the cause for a majority of these assumptions and rumors, same with his past life. Growing up in poverty and engaging in illegal activities to move up in class has made others suspicious and feel like McKenna 4 isn’t as deserving as they are. However, when he throws a party, they all show up to have a good time and use him for his

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