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Inequality In The Great Gatsby

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The American Dream captures the hearts and minds of people around the world, especially in the early decades of the twentieth century. Everyone believed if they worked hard enough, they could be something important. In F. Scott Fitzgerald’s The Great Gatsby the American Dream is sought out by everyone, including the title character, Jay Gatsby. They view it as a beacon of hope for their lives to become better, but many endure fatal hardships due to their obsessions with pursuing the dream. The Great Gatsby denies the American Dream, showing the perpetuation of economic inequality and the dissatisfaction felt by Gatsby even after he has achieved his dreams.
Although being lavish and wealthy, Gatsby’s life is illegitimate and provides him with …show more content…

When Nick first moves to New York, he lives in West Egg, “the less fashionable of the two, though this is a most superficial tag to express the bizarre and not a little sinister contrast between them” (Fitzgerald 5). The differences between the East and West Eggs highlight the class division in America during the 1920s, showing how the American Dream is denied to many due to class differences. Those who live in East Egg are born into money, and look down upon the people living in West Egg, seeing them as less refined, even though they are members of the same class. These judgments demonstrate that success is not enough to be a part of the economic elite, and emphasizes the prejudice of the upper classes. Myrtle and her husband George struggle financially, running a small garage and living in a rundown apartment in the Valley of Ashes in between the two Eggs. They both strive for better lives, but are trapped by the limited opportunities presented to them, as well as the isolation from the world of the wealthy. Ultimately, they both die due to the actions of the rich. Myrtle’s affair with Tom is her attempt at achieving the American Dream, but it only causes her more suffering. George, on the other hand, tries to reach his goals by working hard and making sacrifices, but Myrtle's corrupted affair undermines his efforts. Their struggles represent the harsh reality of the American Dream, and the battle some people have to go through to improve their lives despite their determination and hard work. The illusion of a fruitful life is made worse by the people of East Egg, giving the lower class a false sense of hope and causing them to suffer more. After Tom and Daisy skip Gatsby’s funeral, Nick reflects on their true nature, realizing their carelessness and how “they [smash] up

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Throughout the novel, Gatsby displays his riches through his mansion, expensive car, and many other things. Nick even describes how extravagant Gatsby’s house is, saying, “The one on my right was a colossal affair by any standard—it was a factual imitation of some Hôtel de Ville in Normandy, with a tower on one side, spanking new under a thin beard of raw ivy, and a marble swimming pool, and more than forty acres of lawn and garden” (Fitzgerald, The Great Gatsby 5). As Nick describes, Gatsby’s house is very large and modern, which shows his affluence. Before he became rich and privileged, Gatsby was James Gatz, a poor Midwestern boy who dreamed of becoming wealthy. This dream led Gatsby to do crazy things in order to make money, but it worked out for him in the end.

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