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The Great Gatsby Analysis

Decent Essays

The setting in, The Great Gatsby, by F. Scott Fitzgerald explores the difference in morality and values among social classes. The author does this by using money as a symbol of power. By focusing on the more specific settings such as houses, the reader can see the importance or significance of this power, distinguishing the wealthy from the poor. Looking at the society as a whole, no matter the location, the novel portrayed immense greed and selfishness throughout the novel. The book takes place in the 1920’s in New York, following World War I, which resulted in constant celebration and parties throughout the United States. Although he shows the typical characteristics of an upper class person, his values and loyalty from his humble background stand apart from the rest of the characters. As a decorated officer in the war, Gatsby values his decoration from Montenegro, one of the few things he loves that aren’t money- related. “‘Every Allied government gave me a decoration, even Montenegro…’ He lifted up the words and nodded at them with his smile. It appreciated fully the chain of national circumstances which had elicited this tribute from Montenegro's warm little heart.” This award represents Gatsby’s respect for the working people that don’t fall into money; as he can relate to the less fortunate. He believes in hard work to earn the lifestyle you desire. No matter how hard one can attempt to force their way into a society as entitled and pompous as this one, they will always be an outsider. Nick remains an outsider through all the events, conversations, and relationships, yet he is kept around as a sense of safety or, “...perhaps [his] presence made them feel more satisfactorily alone”. He knows he’s an outcast with these people as Gatsby welcomes him saying he’s pleased Nick came and he says, “As if they cared.” The whole book describes Nick trying to find himself in a place that he wasn’t meant to be part of; which he understands once he witnesses the loneliness of Gatsby on his deathbed and heads back home where he belongs. Although the wealthy had supercilious attitudes towards themselves, like with any battle for power, there will be sides that dislike each other or find another to be inferior. The

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