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The Great Gatsby By F. Scott Fitzgerald

Better Essays

Emma Chambers
Leveque
AP Literature
23 September 2014
Money or Happiness
Money is not the only factor involved in gaining social status and happiness. The Great Gatsby, by F. Scott Fitzgerald, is set in 1922, a time of social climbers and the need for money to have a sense of happiness and security in society. The common characterization throughout the novel portrays the common idea that money is a main priority, even before the character’s happiness. For example, the security of marrying into money and social status is often seen as more important than true love. The idea that wealth is a necessity for social class begins to develop. Also present is the contrast between “new money” and “old money.” This is shown through the …show more content…

This is evident in the way Gatsby acts and carries himself. He ensures that people know he has money by throwing extravagant parties, driving a fancy car and living in a monstrous mansion. According to the narrator, Gatsby’s parties are seen as “several hundred feet of canvas and enough colored lights to light up a Christmas tree” (Fitzgerald 40). This line from the novel shows the excessive, over the top personality of Gatsby through his parties. By throwing lavish parties there is one person in particular who Gatsby yearns to impress. This person is Daisy Buchannan and in the past Gatsby and Daisy were in love. In efforts to win back her love, Gatsby wants to make himself noticed and worthy of her. Fitzgerald writes how Gatsby “bought that house so that Daisy would be just across the bay" (Fitzgerald 78). This quote shows that with Daisy living nearby, Gatsby hopes she will see his newfound wealth and witness his ability to become socially equal to her. However, Gatsby still finds himself searching for social status. Even though Gatsby has the money of someone in the elite part of society his past holds him back. The narrative voice of the novel writes that Gatsby was a “man without a past and at any moment the invisible cloak of his uniform might slip” (Fitzgerald 149). This quote allows readers to see that Gatsby may be a man of wealth but due to his lack of education and lower class

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