Lucas Pinson Waldrup Great Gatsby 05/14/ 2024 Money is the root of all evil. In F. Scott Fitzgerald's "The Great Gatsby" wealth isn't just a background detail, it's practically a character in its own right, influencing the lives and decisions of everyone in the story. The 1920s, the era in which the novel is set, was a time of unheard of wealth and economy and Fitzgerald uses this to explore the relationship between money and happiness. At the heart of the story is Jay Gatsby, a self-made millionaire whose wealth is as dirty as he is. Gatsby is the meaning of the American Dream, a man who climbed his way up from nothing to achieve unimaginable success. Yet despite his riches, he remains fixated on the past, particularly his love for Daisy Buchanan. …show more content…
Daisy Buchanan, on the other hand, is the meaning of old money and privilege. Married to the wealthy and lame Tom Buchanan, Daisy lives a life of old wealth but her wealth comes at a cost. Trapped in a loveless marriage, Daisy is disillusioned with the emptiness of her life, seeking peace in the arms of Gatsby. However, even Gatsby's great fortune is not enough to bridge the gap between them, and Daisy ultimately chooses the security of her social status over her love for Gatsby. Tom Buchanan represents the dark side of wealth and privilege. Arrogant and entitled, Tom uses his money to manipulate those around him, engaging in extra-ordinary affairs without fear of consequence. For Tom, wealth is a tool to assert his dominance over others and a means to maintain his power and control. Myrtle Wilson, Tom's other wife, provides another perspective on the role of wealth in society. Married to the low class George Wilson, Myrtle longs for a life of luxury and glamour. She sees Tom as her ticket out of her boring and broke existence, eagerly using the wealth and status that he