Class Division In The Great Gatsby

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Hannah Wren

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Consider the idea of class division in Fitzgerald's presentation of Jay Gatsby and Tom
Buchanan. In the course of your response consider how Fitzgerald’s other works illuminates your understanding of the core text. In Fitzgerald's novel ‘The Great Gatsby’ the idea of class division is shown through his portrayal of the two protagonists, Jay Gatsby and Tom Buchanan. As the novel progresses we are introduced to the many different qualities that each class promotes, and how it affects their treatment of others. Although Gatsby is the main focus of Fitzgerald’s novel, many other characters, especially Tom and Daisy Buchanan, are concerned with his wealth and class. The reader is led to believe that
Gatsby has acquired his money through illegal means. This is hinted at in the line ‘a lot of these newly rich people are just big bootleggers.’ In 1920’s America, prohibition was introduced meaning that consumption of alcohol was banned so it was sold illegally by ‘bootleggers’. Later in the novel, Gatsby's character is described as having ‘tanned skin’ which is commonly associated with people of the working class as they would have had manual jobs which would have involved working outside in the sun. This confirms to the reader that Gatsby’s background is different from other characters like the Buchannans. We get the impression that Gatsby doesn’t know what to do with this newly acquired wealth so he decides to use it on winning
Daisy, his old flame. Gatsby’s house is described as being a ‘palace’. This highlights the extravagance of his house, which he bought in a significant place, all for Daisy’s attention. Nick
Carraway, the narrator, contrasts Gatsby’s character to people of the upper class, such as Tom
Buchannan, and says ‘they’re a rotten crowd, you’re worth the whole damn bunch put together.’
The ‘rotten crowd’ Nick is referring to consists of the upper class characters, such as Tom and
Daisy, who use money to just run away from their problems. The adjective ‘rotten’ foreshadows the attitude of Tom as he treats people of the lower classes, like Wilson, as if he is superior to them. Fitzgerald highlights that even though Gatsby was thought to be a criminal, he is also honorable in some respects and a very modest character. Gatsby’s main goal is to win over Daisy, thinking that she’s the same girl he used to be in love with. Gatsby even stands up to Tom and says ‘she only married you because I was poor and she was tired of waiting’. This is Gatsby’s way of reassuring himself that Daisy still loves him, by belittling Daisy’s feelings for Tom, claiming she only loved his money. He believes that now he has money, he is worthy of Daisy’s love once again and can buy her love away from Tom.
Gatsby’s character can be linked to Anthony Patch from Fitzgerald’s other novel ‘The Beautiful and the Damned’. Like Gatsby, Anthony has just enough money to get by but he inherits a fortune from his grandfather's death. Both Gatsby and Anthony suffer financial bankruptcy which leads to emotional bankruptcy as neither can get, or keep, the women they love. Anthony says
“Things are sweeter when they're lost. I know­­because once I wanted something and got it and when I got it it turned to dust in my hand.” Anthony is discussing his wife, Gloria. The fact he believes that things can be better when they are ‘lost’ suggests that unlike Gatsby, Anthony is okay with losing his wife as he can just focus on the happier times they shared together rather

Hannah Wren

Page 2 Word Count: 678 than trying to cling on to the past and eventually lose everything, which is what, unfortunately, happens to Gatsby’s character. Fitzgerald’s two characters can be linked as they both lose what is most important to them through greed and wanting too much. Gatsby’s character represents the nouveau riche, people who are new to wealth a nd the upper
class,
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