Power In The Great Gatsby

Jay Gatsby demonstrates the progression of 1920’s society, from the stagnant class structure of the past to the upwardly mobile class fluidity of the Roaring Twenties. Gatsby, a newly-rich socialite of “Long Island, sprang from a platonic conception of himself. He was a son of God” (Fitzgerald 104). Gatsby’s self-perceived identity as “a son of God” is the manifestation of the optimism for the emerging class mobility in the 1920’s. The idea that a poor man, such as Gatsby, could become wealthy and prominent in society was considered by many to be impossible before the 1920’s; this change was one of the many social norms that were shattered by society’s explosive adoption of the American Dream. The recent success and wealth of the Vanderbilt family was celebrated by 1920’s society as a prime example of the American Dream’s attainability. The article “The Instinct That Makes People Rich” described the Vanderbilt family’s rise to success and stated that “we can follow [the Vanderbilt’s] general methods [of achieving success]; we can seize these opportunities that are given to us, and give ourselves a very fair chance of obtaining riches” (Instinct). The Vanderbilt family’s sudden attainment of vast

Jay Gatsby, whose real name is James Gatz, leaves behind his poor origins of the West to become wealthy. Gatsby becomes a symbol of the American dream. Gatsby embodies both the essence and the decline of the American Dream. Gatsby, described as “so peculiarly American...this quality was continually breaking through his punctilious manner in the shape of restlessness. He was never quite still” (Fitzgerald 68). He encapsulates the nature of the those who believe in the American dream and their desire to continue their success. Exploring novels describes Gatsby as “the American dream of self-made wealth, the spirit of youth

In the 1920’s, the ideal of change was deeply ingrained into American society. This was due to the increase of industrialism and materialism following World War I which inspired the search for new freedoms and encouraged the establishment of radical concepts, such as class mobility. This period of liberation and its effect on the mindset of American citizens is illustrated through The Great Gatsby. In the novel, the characters of Myrtle Wilson and Jay Gatsby serve as representations of optimistic people during the Roaring Twenties who fell victim to the prospect of advancement and ultimately fell short of their goals. With the introduction of social mobility, much of the lower class attempted to move up in society during the 1920’s, although

The novel is based around Jay Gatsby, the protagonist who obtains an exuberant amount of wealth and rises from the well-kept secret working class he was born into. However, he is unable to attain that true upper class, despite the fortune he has amassed. While Gatsby fooled many into believing he was a part of the upper class, he was unable to deceive the upper class. Jay Gatsby is never able to climb to the social class equivalent to his economic class; emphasizing that class strata are not based on how much money is amassed or the possession owned, but, from the social class one is born into. Through the novel, Fitzgerald proves that mobility does not exist and that social fluidity is prevented by the upper classes and their insurmountable grasp over power and control. In the 1920s, American society did not allow for social mobility, portrayed by Gatsby’s downfall as he attempted to delude the upper class by associating wealth with class.

In the period of the 1920’s, there was a certain status of wealth that was difficult to achieve. There were two societal classes consisting of those with wealth from prior generations, and those who worked to earn it themselves. Tom, Daisy, and Nick, who represented the old money society did not have to work hard, unlike Gatsby which he represented the new money and they had to work to earn money. People like Gatsby, who gained their wealth on their own often fought for the approval from the upper class who inherited their wealth. Rather than having new money and old money, people who tried achieving the American Dream and ended up in failure usually they end up like George and Myrtle Wilson In The Great Gatsby by F. Scott Fitzgerald, the notion that social norms in the upper class depict the idea that being apart of it was impossible unless they were born in it was expressed through Daisy’s rejection of Gatsby because of the corrupt way in which he gained his wealth, making his American Dream unattainable.

The 1920s is the important transition in U.S. that American economy began to recover rapidly, as American Dream provided most lower classes the chance to move up social levels, therefore, many people believed in hard work can achieve personal success. F. Scott. Fitzgerald uses George Wilson and Jay Gatsby, who come from the same class level, to explore the different backgrounds result the different achievements.However, comparing their different actions, which showed American Dream actually was a phony process, and how honest you were determined how futile you would become. In the Great Gatsby, Fitzgerald conveys the conflict between the “old wealth”-- the rigid class divisions before WW1 and the newly rich class that emerged in the

The Great Gatsby is a tragic love story on the surface, but its most commonly understood as a suspicious critic of the American Dream. In the novel Jay Gatsby overcomes his poor past to gain an incredible amount of money and a limited amount of social cache of in the 1920s NYC, only to be rejected by the “old money” crowd. The focus of my paper would be the pathway towards the American Dream and how it affects the person and others around. The American dream affects not only one person, but also those who linger around them (near or far). This dream is represented by the ideas of a self-sufficient man or woman, who works hard to achieve a goal to become successful. By having money, a car, a big house mice clothes with a big loving family symbolizes the American Dream. This dream can also represent that people, can become successful in life by their own work. The aspiration to strive for what one wants can be accomplished if they work hard enough. This text written by F. Scott Fitzgerald, depicts the American dream as an un-wealthy individual who works effortlessly towards wealth and fame. The Great Gatsby is a novel that displays the events that took place in the American Dream in the 1920s, where in the timeframe dreams became corrupted for many unforeseen reasoning. Fitzgerald uses symbolism to amplify the story’s themes and characters, as well as a specific purpose and

In Fitzgerald's The Great Gatsby, Jay Gatsby is used as an example of individuals who are disillusioned with the idea of wealth and material possessions associated with the American Dream. Gatsby’s version of the American Dream is to be wealthy and be treated like those of “old money” as a way to win the love of Daisy. Gatsby views money and success as a way to solve his problems. Instead of working hard to make an honest living, Gatsby resorts to the crime of bootlegging in order to easily become wealthy. Gatsby distances himself from his meager past and becomes a man known for his luxurious parties, all the while being lonely despite hundreds of people around him.

“Then wear that gold hat, if that will move her; If you can bounce high, bounce for her too, Till she cry “Lover, gold-hatted, high bouncing lover, I must have you” (qtd. in Fitgerald). Throughout the novel, the Great Gatsby, Fitzgerald presents Tom Buchanan as a very controlling person who believes he is entitled to many things because of his wealth. Similar to the quote, Tom’s constant need for wealth and power leads to a need and want for everything in sight. If a reader were to read this book through the Marxist lens, they would see an obvious struggle between the powerful and powerless and how that directly coincides with how much money the person with power has. The main character with power and wealth in the novel is Tom Buchanan, and he uses his power as a control mechanism when he punches his mistress, takes advantage of George Wilson, and gets into a heated argument with Daisy and Gatsby.

The American Dream that every citizen and immigrants want to fulfill here in the United States are: wealth, power, and a high social class in society. What sets us apart is because of what we think about in today’s society.  Finding ways to become famous and get lots of money and having the power is what the majority of the people want or seek. “The American Dream is an equal opportunity where every U.S citizen can achieve and prosper in the pursuit of determination, dedication, and hard work”. According to the book The Great Gatsby by F. Scott Fitzgerald. Jay Gatsby, the main character he’s view on the American Dream was that in America it’s still viewed as the land of opportunity, with endless of opportunities

In this, the third and fourth section of the novel, The Great Gatsby, by F. Scott Fitzgerald, we are finally introduced to the rich neighbour of Nick, Mr. Gatsby. From Nick's narration, we are regaled with the impressive mansion of Mr.Gatsby, as well as his luxurious parties and his expensive cars. From Nicks vivid description, Mr,Gatsby’s power and influence are displayed as if it is a piece of artwork at a museum. Along with the social standing demonstrated by the wealth and power Mr. Gatsby possesses, it also displays his beyond-masterful use of smoke and mirrors keep his public image from corruption. In the novel, the misuse of power as well as the ways it is used to distort reality are suitably hinted at during Mr Gatsby’s party, and connects to the real life issues that continue to affect the world today as well.

In the 1920s, American men and women were able to attain large amounts of money to become wealthy. Because of this, there was social movement. The 1920s was a time when the poor could become wealthy, but the traditional class was not appreciative about movement between classes because the fact the one cannot change class if they become wealthy. In The Great Gatsby by F. Scott Fitzgerald the characters are Gatsby, Tom, and Daisy which they all reveal the conflicts about social class security. The Great Gatsby by F. Scott Fitzgerald shows the conflict between a traditional rigid class system and social mobility revealing the American Dream is unrealistic.

F. Scott Fitzgerald illustrates the common characteristics of perseverance, hard work, and wealth in 1920s America through the protagonists of The Great Gatsby and how those certain ideals inevitably clash. In a time period swelling with the prospect of wealth and aspiration, The Great Gatsby twists the common ideals of the 1920’s by illustrating the iniquity of these prospects. Protagonist, Jay Gatsby, plays the role of the wealthy cultural icon, throwing grand parties while being adored by many. His intentions, however, resonate on a deeper level than simply rising above in social status. All that Gatsby does is based around winning the heart of his long time love, Daisy Buchanan. While Daisy is beautiful, her beauty is not what mesmerizes Gatsby, but her wealth. Gatsby being born into a poor family generated an obsession with wealth and status that he has worked to attain his whole life. In Daisy he sees wealth, explaining the motives behind Gatsby’s desire while incorporating themes of the American Dream and mendacity. Jay Gatsby epitomizes the American dream which necessitates his obsession with Daisy Buchanan, the personification of wealth. Gatsby’s failure to achieve his goal of winning Daisy illustrates the hypocrisy of the American dream.

Class structure in the 1920’s seemed to be very divided. The famous author F. Scott Fitzgerald, is especially known for his overview of the kind of society that was the 1920’s.Many references are made through his character, the separation of living places, and the amount of wealth that each character upholds. Within Fitzgerald's “The Great Gatsby,” he centers his story line to outline how the social class was viewed in the 1920’s.

As today’s society, we can learn and benefit from classic texts by analysing the way power is presented. In American classics, such as The Great Gatsby by F. Scott Fitzgerald, and Breakfast at Tiffany’s by Truman Capote, ultimate power is presented as the American dream. The philosophy carried throughout both texts is that the American dream and hence ultimate power is unattainable, as you cannot gain one power without compromising the other. From these didactic texts we can learn that excessive money cannot buy you happiness, those who use charisma as a tool of persuasion gain a corrupted moral compass and changing yourself to fit society’s standards only creates a meretricious façade.