The Great Gatsby

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Recommended: How social class is evident in the great gatsby

In The Great Gatsby Fitzgerald offers up commentary on a variety of themes justice, power, greed, and betrayal, the American dream and so on. Each one of these themes is demonstrated through the relationships, which the characters have. Fitzgerald carefully sets up his novel into distinct social groups, in which each character fits. By creating distinct social classes – old money, new money, and no money, Fitzgerald shows the differing in the way relationships turn out. This book offers a vivid peek of what life was like during the 1920’s. The first relationship introduced in the novel is Tom and Daisy Buchanan. Tom is a very powerful domineering man, very self-centered and self-absorbed. While Daisy is a charming, beautiful lady, with a thrilling voice, she is very self-centered as well. Tom and Daisy’s relationship is undergoing stress. When Daisy notices that her finger is hurt she says, “You did it, Tom… That’s what I get for marrying a brut of a man, a great big hulking physical specimen (Tom interrupts) “I hate that word hulking…even in kidding.” “Hulking,” insisted Daisy. (P 16) Daisy knows how to push all of Tom’s buttons and how hard to push them. Daisy tells Nick how cynical she is about everything, she shows her views in the statement “She told me it was a girl and I turned my head away and wept… all right I’m glad it’s girl. And I hope she’ll be a fool – that’s the best thing a girl can be in this world, a beautiful little fool.” (P 21). It’s rumored that Tom is having an affair, “Tom’s got some woman in New York.” (P 19), and from what Daisy says she would just rather not notice what is really happening. Daisy and Tom never seem at peace with each other, just in an oblivious state where nothing can change them. They know “their place” is together; it suits society, they are perfectly matched. Daisy goes astray with Gatsby. “As he (Tom) left the room again she got up and went over to Gatsby and pulling his face down, kissing him on the mouth…You know I love you.” (P 122-123) Daisy uses Gatsby to rebel against Tom’s infidelity, but would never even consider leaving him, especially for an old flame. They are so materialistic; they except their flawed relationship as normal. Myrtle and Tom have a very fiery relationship.

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