Class Structure in The Great Gatsby

Class structure in the 1920s was synonymous to prejudice. The 1920s was known as a period of wild excess and great parties with excitement arising from the ashes of the wars in America’s history. It was a period in history where rapid materialism and narcissistic ideals grew uncontrollably, and it was the days where Jay Gatsby, illegally, rose to success. Having social classes was the same as segregation, except it was through economic standings, the two both instil injustice within social standards. Class structure was used to describe the difference between the new money and old money. The Great Gatsby by Francis Scott Fitzgerald, written during the 1920s, emphasizes the division between the social classes and the reasons behind why they are separated; the novel also emphasizes on the daring tasks in which— the bottom of the social class is willing to take in order to climb the ladder. The poor are daring enough to involve in illegal acts to gain success. However, even with success they are still not ultimately complete. Class structured is portrayed in this novel through Myrtle who is the poor, Gatsby—new money, and the Buchanans—old money. These characters are divided through wealth; the poor lacked money while the old money were born into it. However, the difference between the old and new money is that the new money must work in order to achieve the wealth, this is the reason why it is so difficult to climb the social ladder.

The poor during the 1920s were living on the American Dream. The American Dream is one’s ideal of a happy and successful life—owning a house, having more than enough, and having a family. Even through the flaws, the 1920s was a period that generated the strength of America and was driven by its vast e...

... middle of paper ...

...e of Economic and Social Change (VOA Special English 2006-06-07)." Interesting Things for ESL/EFL Students (Fun English Study). American History in VOA Special English, n.d. Web. 26 Mar. 2014. .

Avey, Tori. "The Great Gatsby and Prohibition | The History KItchen Blog." PBS Food. Public Broadcasting Service, 14 May 2013. Web. 26 Mar. 2014. .

Fitzgerald, F. Scott. The Great Gatsby. New York, NY: Scribner, 1996. Print.

Kennedy, David M, Lizabeth Cohen, and Thomas A. Bailey. The American Pageant: A History of the American People. 13th ed. Boston, MA: Wadsworth Cengage Learning, 2010. Print.

"The Roaring Twenties - Facts & Summary." HISTORY.com. A&E Television Networks, n.d. Web. 26 Mar. 2014.

.