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Higher And Lower Classes In The Great Gatsby By F. Scott Fitzgerald

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Flappers, wealth, and prohibition that's with the 1920's were about. The novel The Great Gatsby, by F. Scott Fitzgerald, was placed in this time period. Fitzgerald uses the novel to place a message showing the differences between higher and lower classes. The characters in this book have different values and goals based on their class, that attribute to the theme of this book. Jordan Baker in this time would be considered a flapper. She is wealthy, has short hair, does not dress like most women, and she plays golf. "'Jordan's going to play in the tournament tomorrow'" (23). Her characters goal would be to spend more time with Nick. The theme would then be loved. The value of her character adds love to the novel with Nick, but also tells a part of Tom and Daisy's love story. Prohibition is mentioned multiple times in this book. We find it most often in the apartment, or leading to the apartment of Tom Buchanan. In this time period, it is illegal to drink, but that does not stop the wealthy like Tom. The goal of drinking at this time would be to show wealth and to demonstrate how this class was above the law. Tom does this multiple times and it gives us a picture of what his values are. He is not a man of good character and it shows when he is drunk. "Making a short deft movement Tom Buchanan broke her nose with his open hand." (41). …show more content…

Often times during reading this novel, we ask ourselves can love you bought? Tom and Daisy are one of the many reasons we ask that question. "The day before her wedding he gave her a string of pearls valued at three hundred and fifty thousand dollars. (80). Throughout the novel their love is shown as purchased. The driving goal of these characters, is to be with someone else. The values that are demonstrated by Tom and Daisy, are selfishness. This is shown because they are only looking out for their own interests, and not the interest of each

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