The 1920s were an age of dramatic social and political change. The nation’s total wealth more than doubled between 1920 and 1929, and this economic growth swept many Americans into an affluent but unfamiliar “consumer society.” Some of the people during the Roaring Twenties had new money, old money, or no money at all. “The Great Gatsby,” which was based on the time period of the Roaring Twenties, features different types of people during this time. Based on the differences between the characters Jay Gatsby and Tom Buchanan, one can conclude that Jay Gatsby is a more noble person because of his perseverance, strive, and his attitude.
On the surface, Jay Gatsby and Tom Buchanan appear to be very similar. However, inside, they are not nearly as similar as they may seem. To begin with, they grew
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While Tom was part of an upper-class family, Gatsby was not. Gatsby's parents were “shiftless and unsuccessful farm people…”(Fitzgerald 104). However, Gatsby did not let that hinder him. Both men are affluent, yet Gatsby is a self made man. He came from nothing and with hard work he earned all that he had. Although he did have some “immoral” jobs to get to where he is, Gatsby is a symbol of a naïve man who is hopeless for love. He basically goes through all the trouble to be with Daisy. Tom on the other hand is “enormously wealthy- even in college his freedom with money was a matter for reproach” (Fitzgerald 10). Tom inherited his money; he never had to make it. That is why Tom is full of arrogance, he believes he is worthy of everything. He believes he is better than all other men, “there was a touch of paternal contempt even towards the people he liked” (Fitzgerald 11). Jay on the other hand, knew what it was like to be on the bottom of the social ladder. In spite of his