Furthermore, Tom and Gatsby share the belief that it is crucial for individuals to perceive themselves as having a high social status. These characters are obsessed with accumulating opulent material possessions that serve as blatant displays of their wealth and success, in order to bolster their image in the eyes of the public. They adhere to the notion that their social status is an essential determinant of their self-worth and validation, revealing their deep-seated insecurity and shallow values. Although these characters both enjoy the idea of having a high self image, they both do it for different reasons. Gatsby desires to have a high social status in order to obtain Daisy. Gatsby is aware that Daisy is interested in materialistic goods and believes that by achieving a higher …show more content…
Gatsby’s desire to relive the past has caused him to obsess over the idea of being with Daisy and he now will sacrifice anything to be with her. Gatsby also comes from a poor background where he had to work to attain his status and influence. He lives in West Egg which is full of people with “new money” and is chasing the American Dream. He embodies the idea that hard work and dedication can wealth and success. On the other hand, Tom only wants to appear to have high social status because he believes it gives him more respect in society. While Nick is touring Tom’s house, Tom says, “‘I’ve got a nice place here,’ he said, his eyes flashing about restlessly …. ‘It belonged to Demaine, the oil man’” (7). Tom brags about his lavish house and the features it has to Nick to assert his high social status and to create a barrier between the two to prove that Tom is in a separate social class than Nick is. Tom is also a member of the elite and lives in East Egg, which means he comes from old money and has inherited his wealth from past generations. Tom has already achieved the American Dream because he was born in into a wealthy family, and has attended an elite