Wealth In The Great Gatsby

The characteristics between the wealthy is a theme that is exhibited multiple times through the main characters in The Great Gatsby. The first major distinction in class within the wealthy is the description of the West Egg , people who have recently become rich, and East Egg, people who have inherited money from past generations. The distinction is made at the start of the novel to show how social status affect Gatsby’s reputation and relationship with Daisy. Although both are places resided by the more economically advantaged, within the rich, social expectations are different on each egg, “She was appalled by West Egg, this unprecedented “place’” (Fitzgerald 107). Gatsby’s party shows different manners and style between the newly rich and

As opposed to the lavish and flashy lifestyle Gatsby surrounds himself, with his earned money. Furthermore, Daisy’s unique voice described by Nick demonstrates how wealth can also change a person throughout time since wealth has embodied a new daisy, whose voice is “ full of money” (Fitzgerald 120 ). Daisy is accustomed to living a comfortable lifestyle, “her artificial world was redolent of orchids and pleasant, cheerful snobbery” this is what motivates Gatsby to become successful since he had no way of establishing her with stability (Fitzgerald 151). Daisy’s present wealth is also a reason Gatsby is devoted to the lifestyle he lives, in order to make a name for himself since he is not in Daisy’s elite circle. The difference in wealth status exhibits their carelessness. Daisy and Tom are described by Nick as careless and inconsiderate, “ they smashed up things and creatures and then retreated back into their money” (Fitzgerald 179). Although Gatsby is also rich, Nick does not seem to see the same hollowness that he sees in Daisy, Tom and at times,