Examples Of Marxism In The Great Gatsby

Marxism, originated in the 1800’s by Karl Marx and Friedrich Engels, emphasizes the role of economic and social power shaping society. The Marxist theory focuses on the unequal dissemination of power and resources in society, perpetuating class struggles. The bourgeoisie, or upper class, exploited the proletariat, or working class, for labor. F. Scott Fitzgerald’s The Great Gatsby, published in 1925, is narrated by Nick Carraway, who becomes the neighbor and friend of self-made millionaire Jay Gatsby. Throughout the novel Gatsby attempts to be a part of bourgeois society while pursuing his former love, Daisy Buchanan. Gradually, Nick becomes aware of Gatsby’s past, which include the secrets and scandals that allowed Gatsby to obtain his wealth.

When focusing on the Buchanans, it is evident they both share an extravagant lifestyle and a sense of entitlement. They are portrayed as being “careless people” who are indifferent to the suffering of those around them letting others “clean up the mess” that they made while “retreat[ing] back into their money” (Fitzgerald 179), displaying the leisure and the exploitative nature of the bourgeoisie. Throughout the story Tom manipulates George Wilson regarding Myrtle, especially when he convinces George that Myrtle was run over by Gatsby like “you’d run over a dog” (Fitzgerald 178), taking advantage of George’s vulnerability and how he is marginalized and powerless in a society dominated by the wealthy elite. Overall, this unbalanced power dynamic between Tom and George in terms of their relationship with Myrtle is evident when Tom makes note of George’s unawareness of Myrtle’s unfaithfulness, stating “He’s so dumb he doesn’t know he’s alive” (Fitzgerald 26); this reveals Tom’s arrogance and sense of superiority over George, who he views as being inferior due to his social class. Continuing with relationships, Daisy Buchanan’s affair with Gatsby isn’t only about love and affection but is also a reflection of the existing dynamics of power, with her rejecting Gatsby “Five years” (Fitzgerald 87) before due to his lack of wealth and social status, which are the essential markers of power and social acceptability in the elite class. This leads to Gatsby “earn[ing] the money” that he needed in order to pursue Daisy, strengthening her obsession with materialistic possessions and the trappings of wealth, which was shaped by her privileged upbringing. The sense of entitlement and superiority displayed by the Buchanans signifies how personality is rooted in class position and social stratification that are inherent in a capitalist