Decline of the American dream In the 1920s people traveled to America for new beginnings and a better life regardless of social status away from their homeland. In the great Gatsby you see a downfall in the 1920s and the culture of wealthy American’s with an excessive amount of luxurious materials. Nick writes, he had just arrived in New York where he moved to work in the bond business, and rented a house on a part of Long Island called West Egg. West egg and its residents represent the newly rich while east egg and its residents like daisy and tom represent the old aristocracy. The author portrays the newly rich as gaudy and vulgar also lacking social taste and grace. The story is placed in the 1920s American society, the east side is connected to the decay and social doubt of New York but in the west there is more traditional values and ideals. The Great Gatsby’s author was trying to convey that the people who had not been raised with …show more content…
As a rationalist, he sees no reason why he shouldn’t be able to live according to his standards of moral perfection. After a while he comes to realize, however, that there are many ways he can lapse from his high standard through carelessness, and bad examples. He had thirteen virtues with precepts such as Temperance. Eat not to dullness; drink not to elevation, Silence. Speak not but what may benefit others or yourself; avoid trifling conversation, Order. Let all your things have their places; let each part of your business have its time, Resolution. Resolve to perform what you ought; perform without fail what you resolve, Frugality. Make no expense but to do well to others or yourself; i.e., waste nothing. This source relates to the great Gatsby because nick learned from his father to reserve judgment about other people, because if he holds them up to his own moral standards, he will misunderstand