Friendship in The Great Gatsby by F. Scoot Fitzgerald and The Devil Wears Prada by Lauren Weisberger

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In a society where social criticism is the norm and status is admired, people with morals, views and opinions are considered peculiar. Where the “high life” is everything and money receives respect and friendship. The strugglers and hard workers are demeaned while the rich with fame and beauty are praised. In the novels, The Great Gatsby, by F. Scott Fitzgerald and, The Devil Wears Prada, by Lauren Weisberger, the outside observers Nick and Andrea are able to have a clear and realistic view of the characters in the affluent world because of the observer’s social class, lack of experience and different morals.
To begin with, social class has always been of great importance in society, more money means more power and more respect. Friendship and acquaintances are based purely on whom someone is in contact with and how much fame and money they have. In the “Great Gatsby”, Fitzgerald presents two distinct types of wealthy people. First, there are people like the Buchanan’s and Jordan Baker who were born into wealth. Their families have had money for many generations; hence they are "old money”. The “old money” people, Daisy, Tom, Jordan and their social class, are considered the elite group; the societies highest. They are judgmental and superficial failing to look at the emotions of the people around them and sometimes them selves. “It’s a b****’, said Tom decisively. ‘Here’s your money. Go and buy ten more dogs with it”(Fitzgerald, 30). Tom is very aggressive verbally and nonverbally, he thinks he’s always right and likes bossing people around, to show them that he has power over them. All the “elite” are superior and never questioned as with their influence they can do anything. Second there are people like Gatsby who are from a l...

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... their novels based on true personal experiences. Fitzgerald was a part of that high-living lifestyle, but he was also a victim of it. He was one of the beautiful and wealthy but he was also forever damned much like Gatsby. The Great Gatsby captures brilliantly the American dream in a time when it had descended into decadence. Weisberger has experienced the affects of the fashion industry and the life that accompanies it, as she had personally been an assistant to a boss such as Miranda. The Devil Wears Prada is a captivating take on the harsh realities of the elite in the fashion industry. In the novels, The Great Gatsby, by F. Scott Fitzgerald and, The Devil Wears Prada, by Lauren Weisberger, due to their social class, lack f experience, and different morals Nick and Andrea are able to have a sharp and precise view of the characters in the prosperous world.

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