Economic Inequality In The Great Gatsby

During the 1920s, the United States experienced economic growth and success, a period commonly known as the “Roaring Twenties”. The economy saw a rise in industrial production with new technologies and manufacturing which led to increased productivity. The “Roaring Twenties” were also characterized by the American Dream. The idea of the American Dream played a key role in the economic success of the 1920s. Individuals looked for economic success by making their business. The American Dream, although said that it was achievable for all regardless of social status, was realistically only achievable by those with access to social and political opportunities, as demonstrated in the novel The Great Gatsby.

To explain, according to Barone (2022)

It made it difficult for many individuals, mostly African Americans and immigrants. African Americans faced discrimination, which made it more challenging for them to achieve their American Dream. Many were denied jobs and had limited educations. Immigrants also faced many obstacles to achieving their American Dream. Many faced discrimination based on their nationality and struggled to find jobs to build wealth. While white people did not face the same discrimination or challenges as African Americans and immigrants, but they still faced economic inequality. Despite these obstacles many African Americans, immigrants, and white people faced, continued to pursue their American Dream. They created opportunities for themselves and their families. According to Smith (2017): “Whites (41%) are most likely than Blacks (17%) or Hispanics (32%) to say they have achieved the American Dream. But more blacks (62%) and Hispanics (51%) than whites (42%) say they are on their way to achieving it. Notably, there are no significant racial or ethnic differences in the shares who say the

The concept of the American Dream originally stood for equality, justice, and democracy but it has changed over time. It has now become a goal for personal wealth and success, which is often measured by milestones like buying a home, getting married, and having children. The American Dream has changed over time, as the country’s economy has evolved. Baby boomers viewed the American Dream as achieving traditional milestones such as buying a home and car, getting married, and having children. This mostly depended on race.

The social and economic changes made this very difficult. Generation X and the millennials do not see the American Dream the same way the Boomers do. They all had different perspectives and the Gen X and millennials didn’t see the American Dream so exceedingly. According to Fettke (2021), “The New American Dream is returning to the basic values of our Founding Fathers. The Center for a New American Dream imagines, “…a focus on more of what

really matters, such as creating a meaningful life, contributing to community and society, valuing nature, and spending time with family and