Examples Of Social Stratification In The Great Gatsby

The Great Gatsby is a wonderful novel that explores the grand lives and extravagance of the Jazz Age. Set in the summer of 1922, the novel tells the story of Jay Gatsby, a wealthy man who throws extravagant parties in the hopes of winning back his lost love, Daisy Buchanan. Gatsby is New Money while Daisy is Old Money, which affects their relationship greatly. Narrated by Nick Carraway, a young man from the Midwest who moves to New York City to work in the bond business, the novel paints a clear picture of the social and economic realities of the time. There are many sociological concepts in The Great Gatsby, including social stratification, social mobility, conspicuous consumption, deviance, and the American Dream. By analyzing these concepts

In The Great Gatsby, social stratification is a main theme. The novel is set in a time of skyrocketing growth in the economy and businesses, but this wealth was not evenly distributed. Instead, there was a clear divide between the "old money" families, such as Daisy Buchannan, who inherited their wealth and social status, and the "new money" families, who made their fortunes through business and industry, like Gatsby. This divide causes a rift between the two communities and leads to prejudice and hate. Despite his wealth, Gatsby is never fully accepted into the upper echelons of society because he lacks the social status of the old money families. The novel also explores the impact of social stratification on individual identity and relationships. For example, Daisy is torn between her love for Gatsby and her loyalty to her social class, which gives her access to unlimited wealth and respect, ultimately choosing to stay with Tom because he represents the

The Great Gatsby is often seen as a critique of the American Dream, which is the idea that anyone can achieve success and prosperity through hard work, determination, and perseverance. The character of Jay Gatsby is the embodiment of the American Dream, having risen from humble origins to become a wealthy and successful man. However, the novel suggests that the American Dream is ultimately an illusion and that the pursuit of wealth and status can lead to moral decay and corruption. Gatsby's obsession with Daisy, for example, is a reflection of his desire to achieve the American Dream, but ultimately leads to his downfall. Similarly, the characters of Tom and Daisy are shown to be deeply flawed and selfish, using their wealth and status to manipulate and control those around them. The novel also explores the idea of the "valley of ashes," a symbol of the failure of the American Dream and the social and economic inequality of the time. Ultimately, The Great Gatsby provides a powerful critique of the American Dream, suggesting that the pursuit of wealth and status can lead to moral decay and corruption and that the ideal of the American Dream is often an