Examples Of Power In The Great Gatsby

Power. In a world of millionaires, world leaders, and Hollywood superstars, the word power has become synonymous with success. Prospective actors and businessmen will ascend the ladder of social recognition, fabricating their own image in the public eye in such a way as to capture the minds of the public. Many people dream of being famous, but few attain such a lofty title. Those who have lost sight of their grand ideals observe those of the elevated rank with amazement. What could they possibly have that makes them so disparate? How could they possibly have overcome the numerous obstacles that had hindered and brought down so many like them? These are the ever-pressing questions of seekers of fame. What they desire is power, respect. True

There are many characters locked in a consistent power struggle who, in the end, make perfectly clear what the true definition of power is. Jay Gatsby is the novel’s greatest example. Gatsby is young and wealthy, having made his enormous fortune, we discover later on, through bootlegging. He is mysterious and reclusive, unknown and fascinating to many people in the West Egg. He uses this to his advantage by luring people in with his story, making them so interested that they’ll virtually do anything he suggests. Every Saturday night he hosts fabulous parties, and everyone who is anyone is in attendance. His name alone holds great influence because of his compelling reputation that he’s built himself using his grand fortune. His beautiful home and aloof ways have people convinced that he is an extremely important individual. But his power is not based on his mere esteem. As stated before, power is control, and Gatsby is incredibly gifted in the art of getting people to do exactly what he wants. On several occasions in the novel he ingeniously devises situations that will bring him closer to his ultimate goal: winning over Daisy Buchanan’s affections. He charms and guiles, fascinates and intrigues. He is a wonder to his observers, holding them on the end of a string, leading them one way and then another at his will. All of this he

Indeed this definition does not go deep enough. As stated before, powerful people use money to gain what they desire. One interpretation of this assertion is that money is power, but a more accurate interpretation is that money is simply a tool influential people utilize. A theme from The Great Gatsby further reinforces this viewpoint. Everyone living in the West Egg has money. It is the province of aristocrats. Granted some hold more worldly treasure than others, but in comparison with the poverty of the middle class, their advantage among the rich is insignificant. It is now a level playing field. In this environment Gatsby surprisingly still holds influence, despite the fact that he is hindered by the origin of his wealth. He is a self-made man, not the heir of a family of affluence. Because of this he is looked down upon in the upper class. Here a family name held reputation, and he was nameless. His power came through his own intellect and strategic climb to the top of the social ladder. He used his money to reach a position of potential influence, but built up his reputation through guile and clever charm. Gatsby’s story is proof that money itself is not