Who Is Marginalized In The Great Gatsby

Many groups within The Great Gatsby by F. Scott Fitzgerald are marginalized to establish the status and wealth of the main characters. Meyer Wolfsheim, people of color, and the lower class are all marginalized in different ways ranging from “othering” to Tom’s tyrannical control of the lower class. By marginalizing these groups, Fitzgerald reinforces the status and power of the main characters within the story based on their wealth, race, and ethnic background in a way that reflects upon 1920’s America. Marginalization based on ethnicity is shown when Wolfsheim is introduced into the story in chapter four. Gatsby describes Wolfsheim as a friend but the extent of their relationship is made clear by Wolfsheim’s description of Gatsby as, “the

Although this shows that this social group was silenced, there are still a few minor incidents where people of colored are mentioned. The first incident occurs early in the first chapter of the book when Nick is at dinner with Tom and Daisy. During their discussion, Tom decides to express his thoughts on a book he had read which was titled “The Rise of the Colored Empires,” (12). Tom then goes on to state that, “Civilization’s going to pieces,” (12) and that, “we’re Nordics… and we’ve produced all the things that go to make civilization,” (13). Although Tom’s statements are blunt, they still show the inexcusable bias and lack of humility on behalf of the white characters. A subtler line within story occurs while Gatsby and Nick are on their way to meet Wolfsheim in chapter four. While driving, Nick observes that there is, “A limousine…driven by a white chauffeur, in which sat three modish negroes…the yolks of their eyeballs rolled toward us in haughty rivalry,” (69). These three people are obviously well off because of their ability to hire a driver, but despite this, they’re still described as being in, “haughty rivalry.” This perceived rivalry on Nick’s behalf shows that he and Gatsby are in a position of power which can only be contested through outward expressions of wealth. Furthermore, this description of people of color portrays people of color as lower in status than the white

The lack of social power that the lower class possess is shown by Tom’s physical assault on Myrtle in chapter two. Throughout most of this chapter, Myrtle can hold power because of her relationship with Tom. After joining Nick and Tom, Myrtle changes into an expensive chiffon dress. After putting on this expensive symbol of status, “her assertions became more violently affected moment by moment, and as she expanded the room grew smaller around her,” (31). This increase in power is connected to status supplied by Tom in the form of the dress. In the same way that Tom can supply power, he is also able to take it away. With Tom’s consent Myrtle can express a large amount of social power, but when she tries to go against him it vanishes. In response to Myrtle’s comments about Daisy, it is stated that, “Tom Buchanan broke her nose with his open hand,” (37). Similarly, Tom can control George’s economic power by prolonging the delivery of cars to his garage. When Wilson attempts to question the wait, Tom simply replies that, “if you feel that way about it, maybe I’d better sell it somewhere else after all,” (25). Tom’s effectively has complete control over the Wilson family because they’ve been marginalized and removed from positions of power. Ultimately this treatment of