Social Classes In The Great Gatsby

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Throughout the novel, The Great Gatsby, written by F. Scott Fitzgerald, the main conflict exists between three distinct social classes: the old-money, the new-money, and the no-money. Tom and Daisy Buchanan descend from old-money and, therefore, felt as if they should inherit certain rights. They believe that their birth gives them power, similar to the idea of divine right. New-money is represent by the character Jay Gatsby. While the source of his money is originally unknown, it is obvious to other characters in the novel that Gatsby lacks certain social abilities that are bred into the characters from old-money. Finally, the no-money class is displayed through George and Myrtle Wilson, for they have worked all their lives and are unable…show more content…
The Buchanans house is one of grandiosity and elegance. Nick Carroway describes, “Their house was even more elaborate than I expected, a cheerful red-and-white Georgian Colonial mansion, overlooking the bay,” as he visits Tom and Daisy for the first time. Vast and punctiliously groomed land showcases the wealth of the Buchanans. Their residence inhabits a fraction of the shore of East Egg; the name is symbolic in itself, for old-money is often tied to the East Coast. For example, the Hamptons in New York is considered a location for the elite and wealthy social class. On the other hand, Gatsby lives across the bay from the Buchanans, in West Egg. Nick describes West Egg as “the least fashionable of the two.” Again, the location of his home serves a purpose: it symbolizes westernization. During the time in which the novel takes place, and still today, the West represents progress and deviation from the old regime. Nick Carraway’s house borders Gatsby’s property and offers insight into the happenings that occur there. Specifically, Nick describes the parties that occurred during the summer nights. Nick wrote, “In [Gatsby’s] blue gardens, men and girls came and went like moths among the whisperings and the champagne and the stars,” concerning Gatsby’s multitude parties, all filled with personalities of great élan. As Nick and Daisy tour Gatsby's house, Nick describes it with the…show more content…
The Buchanans, and other members of their class, like Jordan, are notorious for their expensive atire. Nick’s first meeting with Daisy and Jordan, in which they are dressed in leisurely white, demonstrates the type of clothing they would have bought. Only the most fashionable clothes of the season were worthy of the Buchanans, as another opportunity to display their wealth. Gatsby also bought the most expensive clothing and accessories, with the purpose of impressing Daisy and ingratiating himself among her class. However, Gatsby’s obsessive need to replicate the lifestyle of the Buchanans cause him to perceived in an unctuous manner. The possessions of the Wilsons juxtaposes greatly from those of the Buchanans and Gatsby, for they don’t own much, and what the do is austere in comparison. It should be noted that Myrtle, like Gatsby, is attempting to portray herself as worthy of the social elite. For example, she changes outfits with the hope to impress Tom and Nick when they visit. When compliment she replies, “It’s just a crazy old thing, I just slip it one sometimes when I don’t care what I look like.” Her statement exemplifies Myrtle's desperation to appease Tom. George Wilson lacks the possession to impress either Tom, or his own high-maintenance wife. Myrtle shares, “He borrowed somebody's best suit to get married in, and never told me about it, and the man came after it one day
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