Gatsby and Wealth

Paper Summary:

In this literary study, the writer examines the premise of social class in relation to F. Scott Fitzgerald's 'The Great Gatsby'. The writer notes that by understanding the lower class aspirations of Jay Gatsby for the upper class Daisy Buchanan, Fitzgerald creates a polarization of class that dooms their love affair. Further, the writer points out that by realizing the lengths that Gatsby will go to as a member of the upper classes, he invariably cannot ever attain Daisy through materialistic means. In essence, the writer concludes that the premise of social class in 'The Great Gatsby' dooms the love affair between Daisy and Jay within this capitalistic novel of greed and excess during the roaring 20s.

From the Paper:

"The rise of Jay Gatsby's fortunes relied on illegal bootlegging to acquire his house, and the other materialistic pleasures that he has gained in his activities. The central focus of the novel, however, does not merely focus on his wealth, but focuses on his dream of having Daisy Buchanan. All of the accumulated wealth revolves around this particular woman, as she represents Gatsby's obsession with her as a symbol of the American Dream as a materialist object. One interesting aspect of the novel is that Gatsby feels that he must provide wealth and security to Daisy if he is to be able to 'have' her, as a social class status symbol of newfound wealth. In this manner, he is at once a possession, but Fitzgerald does indeed make sure to reveal that he does truly love her on a deeper level."

Sample of Sources Used:

• Fitzgerald, F. S. (1995). The Great Gatsby. New York: Scribner.

More papers on Gatsby and Wealth:

• Book Review # 33819 : "The Great Gatsby" and Materialism"
• Analytical Essay # 146587 : "Gatsby and Carraway in "The Great Gatsby"
• Analytical Essay # 7597 : "The Great Gatsby" and the Fall of The American Dream"

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