Examples Of Hidden Figures In The Great Gatsby

The American Dream is a concept that has been a cornerstone of American culture and history for many decades. It is believed that anyone, regardless of their social status or background can achieve success through hard work and determination. ‘The Great Gatsby’ is a novel by F. Scott Fitzgerald that was first published in 1924. Set in the Roaring Twenties, it tells the story of Jay Gatsby, a mysterious millionaire who throws extravagant parties at his mansion in West Egg, Long Island, in an attempt to win back his lost love, Daisy Buchanan. ‘Hidden Figures’ is a 2017 biographical drama film directed by Theodore Melfi. The film tells the story of three African American women who worked at NASA in the early 1960s, as the United States raced against

In the 1920’s, the largely wealthy white community was deemed superior to the lower class. In ‘The Great Gatsby’, Nick acknowledges that some people are born with, “a sense of the fundamental decencies [that] is parcelled out unequally at birth” (pg. 7). This is a metaphor, and it highlights the idea that social class is not solely determined by wealth or material possessions, but also by the intangible qualities and values that one is born into. An illustration of this is protagonist Jay Gatsby, a self-made businessman who makes a fortune by unlawful means. Despite his wealth, the Old Money elite still see him as an outsider and despise him for his lack of social standing. Gatsby's pursuit of Daisy, a member of this privileged class, is a reflection of his desire to advance socially and obtain acceptance from the privileged classes. Tom Buchanan, a member of the Old Money, serves as a vehicle for Fitzgerald to stress the sense of entitlement that comes with being born into a well-off family. Tom embodies the arrogance and cruelty of the upper class, using his wealth and power to control and manipulate those around him. Fitzgerald also critiques the American Dream through the character of Gatsby, who’s despite all his effort he is unable to escape his lower-class trappings, suggesting that the pursuit of wealth and status can lead to moral decay and disillusionment. Gatsby's obsession with his past and his longing for the unattainable Daisy ultimately leads to his tragic demise. Likewise, in the 1960’s, the white community was superior to the coloured community. The Jim Crow Laws meant that there were different bathrooms, water fountains and even different books they can read in a library. Vivian Mitchell, who is the white supervisor of the black women working as "human computers" at NASA during the 1960s, says, “Despite what you may think, I have