Theme Of Social Class In The Great Gatsby

The impact of truth and morality by one’s social class

How does one’s social class affect one’s honesty and morality? In the book, Fitzgerald makes commentary on various themes, such as the American dream and the passing of time and so on. Of the various themes being illustrate, none is more developed as the impact of social class on one’s moral identity. The book offers vivid peak into the everyday society in time period of the Jazz age. The idea of one’s morality due to one’s identity is being illustrated and explored in the book, as the author, Scott Fitzgerald suggests that honesty and morality are interconnected with one’s authority and social status. This is being portrayed through the author separation of characters into the two distinctive

Tom, Daisy and the Jordan belong to the “New Money”, in which they are inherited with the wealth and authorities. Money and power is the main motivation for many characters in the story, as they believe that wealth and power can bring eternal happiness. “I am still afraid of missing something if I forget that, as my father snobbishly suggests, and I snobbishly repeat, a sense of fundamental decencies is parcelled out unequally at birth.” (Fitzgerald 2) Through this quote, the author expresses the unequal social class and authority that individuals struggle with at a young age. The people in east egg are characterized as the “ Old money”, in which they spend their time amusing themselves. Although wealth and social class can bring them happiness, it’s only temporary. They are the most elicit group in the novel, in which are superficial and self centered. The people that belong to the east egg are mostly dishonest and immoral; this can be illuminate with Tom’s indirect words. “ ‘You see’ cried Catherine triumphantly. She lower her vice again. “ It’s really her wife that’s keeping them apart. She’s a Catholic and they don’t believe in divorce.” (Fitzgerald 33) Through this quote the author express the elaborateness of the lie indirectly from Tom Buchannan. The author use Nick as a narrator, in which he illustrate Nick as a honest and reliable

Gatsby fabricates his life in order to fit in with society. “ Absolutely real- have pages and everything. I thought they’d be a nice durable cardboard. Matter of fact, they’re absolutely real. Page and-Here! Lemme show you.” (Fitzgerald 45) through this quote the author compare Gatsby with his books, in which it’s filled with fabrication of lies. In the time period of the Jazz age, the people in the west egg or the “ New money” is often being looked down upon the east egger, since gaining of wealth through illegal activities are consider immoral and unethical. In the end of the book, the narrator portrays Gatsby as a honest and moral character. Although Gatsby has been dishonest throughout the story, he is still more honest and moral comparing to the people from the east egg. One’s social class can addict one’s honesty and morality, as the social class defines one’s characterization and