Social Status In The Great Gatsby

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Recommended: American society in the 1920s

During the roaring 20’s, achieving financial success and finding true love were two key elements in achieving the American Dream. For many people, their mission in life was to reach the American Dream which they believed would assure them happiness. A dream for many americans during this time period was to become rich and fortunate. Money made a difference in social class and social status, so becoming rich and fortunate would show others your position in the socio economic ladder. People were becoming so obsessed with trying to upgrade their social status and achieve the American Dream that they would force themselves to do whatever it takes to gain prosperity and find love. In F. Scott Fitzgerald’s novel, The Great Gatsby, the theme of social …show more content…

For example, the Valley of Ashes in its state of decay. Also, the East and West Eggs in New York City. Driving through the Valley of Ashes on the way to New York City was a reminder of the separation between those on each side with new and old money. The Valley of Ashes was the wasteland left behind by the wealthy. The people who lived there lived in extreme poverty. The place where you lived contributed a lot to your social status. In New York City there is a clear distinction between the two towns, East Egg and West Egg. East Egg was where the people with “old money” lived, which meant that the people living there were born into a long legacy of money. The Buchanan’s lived there in the novel. The West Egg was where the people referred to as “new money” lived. Gatsby’s mansion was located in the West Egg because he was considered “new money”. Nick says, “I lived at West Egg, the-well, the less fashionable of the two, though this is a most superficial tag to express the bizarre” (Fitzgerald 5). Nick was Gatsby’s neighbor and treated Gatsby as a good friend of his, unlike most people who knew him. People treated Gatsby differently because he made all of his money on his own, which is the reason why he was considered “new money”. “Regardless of Gatsby’s financial success, he is still considered

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