Social Mobility In The Great Gatsby

During the earlier times, the “American Dream” was simply an idea and encouragement to many people, young and old. Americans wanted nothing but to live the American Dream. Nonetheless soon those exact dreams were distorted with greed and corruption. In F. Scott Fitzgerald’s The Great Gatsby, the American Dream is depicted as corrupted as it was once was a candid and principle way to live. The concept that the American Dream was one way or another about the affluence and possessions one had set in was in the mentality of Americans during the early 1920’s. In F. Scott Fitzgerald 's novel, The Great Gatsby, Jay Gatsby wants to be reunited with the love that he lost five years ago, Daisy Buchanan. Gatsby’s journey leads him from scarcity to wealth,

In Jimmy Gatz’s (as legally named) search for the American Dream, he severs his relationship with his folks by rejecting his surname and renaming himself as Jay Gatsby, whose striking resume states that he graduated from the prestigious British University, Oxford. Therefore by saying to have graduated from Oxford, Gatsby places himself amongst privileged of the world, giving himself a feeling of the sophisticated and intellectual. This event asserts how much social mobility was important in the era. While Gatsby is having a chat with Tom and Jordan, Gatsby asserts “Yes I went there…I told you I went there. It was nineteen-nineteen. I only stayed five months. That’s why I can’t really call myself an Oxford man” (137-138). Clearly, Gatsby presents himself in a sophisticated manner in order to draw attention to himself so that Daisy Buchanan, his neighbor who resides across the bay from his mansion, becomes overwhelmed with him. Accordingly, Gatsby believes that perhaps such claims will turn Daisy’s r interest upon him so that he can reclaim his “lost love”, and renew what he had with

Tom makes an assertion about “civilization going to pieces” during a dinner party with his wife, Jordan and Nick. The conversation begins after Daisy tells their guests that Tom has hurt her finger. Moreover, she then goes on to call him “hulking.” Nick then responds, “joking around,” by telling Daisy that she is making him feel “uncivilized (16).” Subsequent to this, Tom states “Civilization’s going to pieces. I’ve gotten to be a terrible pessimist about things” (15-16). In fact, Daisy even proves Tom’s compliance by asserting “Tom’s getting very profound. He reads deep books with long words in them” (16). Tom continues talking about his distrustful attitude and asks Nick if he had ever read a book titled “The Rise of the Colored Empires.” Tom explains that the book advises “the white race” should look out for themselves and not let anyone else take have power over of them. Also according to this book, they need to “produce all the things that go to make civilization” (20-21). Such an incident proves that society isn’t always well-mannered and deferential. Being racist is a characteristic of Tom himself throughout the novel. Society is depicted in a cruel way during the 1920’s. Racial and social segregation is something that is holding back civilization from developing thus making the American Dream not valid enough to achieve. Society isn’t able to fully expand because of the