Introduction
In F. Scott Fitzgerald's seminal novel The Great Gatsby, social class plays an integral role in shaping the hopes, dreams, and tragedies of the main characters. Set against the backdrop of America's "Roaring Twenties," a time of decadence, excess, and newly-found prosperity, The Great Gatsby examines the complexities of social status in a society increasingly obsessed with wealth and privilege. By portraying the lavish lifestyles of the rich as well as the modest lives of the working class, Fitzgerald shines a piercing light on the role of social class in determining destiny. Over the course of this essay, the intersection of wealth, poverty, ambition, and morality will be analyzed through the lens of three primary characters in the novel: Jay Gatsby, Tom and Daisy Buchanan, and George and Myrtle Wilson. Examining the forces that enable and constrain social mobility, this essay aims to demonstrate how one's social standing operates as both a liberation and a limitation within the world of The Great Gatsby.
The Historical Context of the 1920s: Rising Prosperity and Class Divisions
Social class has played a significant role throughout America's history, influencing everything from political representation to economic opportunities. During the 1920s, a growing divide between the lifestyles of the rich and poor became increasingly evident. New forms of mass production led to rising incomes and leisure time for the middle and upper classes who flocked to cities, while lower classes faced limited social mobility and poor working conditions. The lavish wealth displayed in The Great Gatsby reflects the consumerism and excess that defined the Jazz Age for America's elite. However, prohibition and the rise of organized crime underscore the class divides of the era as wealthy industrialists convened glittering parties while city speakeasies exposed the seedy underworld haunting America's working class. Fitzgerald's novel perfectly encapsulates the tensions and aspirations surrounding social status during this dynamic period which came crashing down with the Great Depression.
Jay Gatsby: A Character Aspiring to Upper-Class Status
From his ill-gained East Egg mansion, Jay Gatsby represents the aspiration for upper class status and privilege. Though he attained great wealth through criminal activity, Gatsby uses lavish displays of money and extravagant parties to climb the social ladder and win back the love of Daisy Buchanan. However, the established "old money" class, as embodied by Daisy's husband Tom Buchanan, shuns Gatsby as a criminal nouveau riche. Gatsby's foray into the upper crust ultimately leads to his downfall and death, suggesting Fitzgerald's dim view of a society that denies advancement due to rigid class boundaries. Despite his wealth, Gatsby remains an outsider who fails to gain the status and respect he so desperately seeks.
The Buchanans: Emblematic of Entrenched Upper-Class Privilege
In contrast to Gatsby, the Buchanans represent the idle privilege and dismissive attitudes of America's entrenched upper class. Living off of inherited wealth in their lavish East Egg mansion, the Buchanans maintain their social position through cruel judgment and shallow self-absorption. Tom's flagrant infidelity epitomizes the Buchanan's belief in their own impunity, as Tom causes tragedy through his sense of upper class entitlement. Meanwhile, Daisy's own carelessness and disregard for others reflects the callousness endemic to their social standing. The Buchanans insulate themselves from consequence and maintain their social supremacy through cruelty and indifference.
The Argument That The Great Gatsby Focuses More on Wealth Than on Class Distinctions
Some argue that social class is downplayed in The Great Gatsby, claiming the novel focuses more on wealth than status hierarchies. However, Fitzgerald makes clear distinctions between "old" and "new" money that point to rigid social stratification. Further, the climb from poverty to wealth is shown to be nearly impossible, despite inter-class marriage. While money gives Gatsby access to East Egg, he remains scorned by the old elite whose prejudices prevent his ascension into their ranks. Fitzgerald meticulously examines the nuances of 1920s social structure rather than simply equating the Upper class with wealth and the Lower class with poverty.
Conclusion
In the lavish mansions and luxurious parties of The Great Gatsby, F. Scott Fitzgerald unravels the complex relationship between wealth, status, and ambition in 1920s America. Tracing characters chasing love and redemption across the class divide, Fitzgerald unveils the cruelty, indolence, and arrogance underpinning society's upper crust. Jay Gatsby's tragedy sounds a prescient warning on the hollowness of material excess and the barriers erected by social elites to protect status and power. This prophetic masterwork remains relevant today for its penetrating insights on class, inequality, and the American Dream.
