Exploring Society and Class in F. Scott Fitzgerald's The Great Gatsby

F. Scott Fitzgerald's The Great Gatsby is a profound exploration of the societal and class structures of 1920s America, as seen through the lens of the elusive American Dream. This novel delves into the stark contrasts and conflicts that define the lives of its characters. Let us delve into several key passages that highlight these themes.

1. Description of East Egg and West Egg

In the opening chapter, Fitzgerald sets the tone with a vivid description of the geographical and social divide between East Egg and West Egg:

“I lived at West Egg, the—well the less fashionable of the two, though this is a most superficial tag to express the bizarre and not a little sinister contrast between them. […] Across the courtesy bay the white palaces of fashionable East Egg glittered along the water and the history of the summer really begins on the evening I drove over there to have dinner with the Tom Buchanans.”

This passage0 sets the stage for the social divide that underlies the entire novel, presenting a stark contrast between old money of East Egg and the new rich of West Egg.

2. Tom Buchanan’s Remarks on Society

Tom Buchanan’s commentary on societal decline and the rise of other races reveals the racial and class tensions prevalent in the Jazz Age:

“Civilization’s going to pieces… I’ve gotten to be a terrible pessimist about things. Have you read ‘The Rise of the Colored Empires’ by this man Goddard”

Tom’s dismissive attitude towards racial integration and his belief in the superiority of the old aristocracy reflects the deep-seated class consciousness and snobbery of the time.

3. Gatsby's Parties

Fitzgerald’s portrayal of Gatsby’s extravagant parties serves as a symbol of the excess and superficiality of the upper class in the Jazz Age:

“On buffet tables garnished with glistening hors-d’oeuvre, spiced baked hams crowded against salads of harlequin designs and pastry pigs and turkeys bewitched to a dark gold. […] I believe that on the first night I went to Gatsby’s house I was one of the few guests who had actually been invited. People were not invited— they went there.”

These parties reveal the superficiality and materialism of the Jazz Age elite, where social status is often defined by wealth and possessions rather than genuine character.

4. Tom’s Condescending Attitude

Tom’s dismissive attitude towards West Egg and his belief in the superiority of East Egg reflect the class consciousness and snobbery prevalent among the old aristocracy:

“Oh I’ll stay in the East, don’t you worry” he said glancing at Daisy and then back at me as if he were alert for something more. “I’d be a God damned fool to live anywhere else.”

This passage emphasizes the rigid class structure and the superiority complex of those in the old money aristocracy.

5. Myrtle Wilson’s Desire for Social Mobility

Myrtle Wilson’s dissatisfaction with her marriage to George Wilson and her affair with Tom Buchanan reflect her aspirations for upward social mobility:

“I married him because I thought he was a gentleman” she said finally. “I thought he knew something about breeding, but he wasn’t fit to lick my shoe.”

Myrtle’s character highlights the impossibility of fully integrating into the upper class despite one’s ambitions, showcasing the systemic barriers to social mobility in 1920s America.

Conclusion

Through these key passages, Fitzgerald’s The Great Gatsby delves into the intricate and complex nature of society and class in 1920s America. The novel exposes the superficiality, inequality, and emotional complexities that underlie the “American Dream,” questioning the true meaning of success and the futility of chasing after it.