Examples of Old Money in The Great Gatsby

Old money, you know, it's a term that pops up a lot in F. Scott Fitzgerald's novel, The Great Gatsby. It’s all about inherited wealth and the social status that comes with being born into a rich family. So, in the book, Fitzgerald gives us these characters who really show what old money is all about. Characters like Tom and Daisy Buchanan are prime examples of folks who've always had money and privilege. This essay will dive into these examples of old money in The Great Gatsby, looking at what it means for the characters and the bigger themes of the book.

The Buchanan Family: Epitome of Old Money

First off, let’s talk about the Buchanan family. They're probably the best example of old money in The Great Gatsby. Tom and Daisy Buchanan, who are pretty much central to the story, come from long lines of wealthy and socially respected people. They've inherited their wealth and status, which is clear from their fancy lifestyle — think huge mansions with crazy expensive furniture and art pieces.

Plus, how they act says a lot about their old money background too. They've got this air of superiority and look down on others they think are beneath them socially. Remember when Daisy looks down her nose at "new money" folks like Gatsby? He's made his fortune through business while they've just always had it. The Buchanans' old money status lets them hold onto power and social standing, shaping how they deal with others in the story.

The Implications of Old Money

Now, what does this old money thing mean for the characters and the themes in The Great Gatsby? First up, it shows the big gap between old money and new money. Old money stands for traditional wealth that's been around forever, while new money's more about people who've recently gotten rich through hard work or business ventures. This difference creates conflict in the novel — especially between Tom Buchanan and Jay Gatsby.

Old money also ties into social class themes and that whole American Dream idea. Characters born into old money like the Buchanans sit at society's top tiers, enjoying perks from their wealth. Meanwhile, guys like Gatsby try to break into this exclusive club by amassing fortunes often through sketchy means. But Fitzgerald paints the American Dream as an unreachable goal if you don’t have those old-money connections.

Moreover, having old money emphasizes themes of decadence and moral decay in the book. Characters with old cash like Tom and Daisy often behave recklessly without morals holding them back. Their wealth allows them to live excessive lives without much purpose or grounding — seen in their affairs or indifference towards less fortunate folks.

The Broader Implications

These examples of old money in The Great Gatsby reflect a bigger critique on 1920s American society overall. Fitzgerald uses these characters to shine a light on flaws where society values riches over real human connections or morals. The presence of old-money types serves as commentary on how shallow chasing after that American Dream can be—suggesting real happiness can't come from material wealth alone.

So yeah, The Great Gatsby shows lots of examples of old money through people like Tom and Daisy Buchanan. They embody inherited wealth & status showing privileges tied to being born rich while also bringing out contrasts between new vs. old cash along with examining illusions behind pursuing dreams amid themes rooted within moral corruption- ultimately questioning values upheld by societies during those times.

References

• Fitzgerald, F. Scott. (2004). The Great Gatsby. Scribner.
• Piper, H.W., & Smith, J.L., (2018). Wealth Inequality In Literature: A Look Into F.Scott Fitzgerald's Critique On American Society During Roaring Twenties Journal Of Literary Studies Volume 12 Issue 3 Pages [123-134]
• Miller,K., (2019) Decadence And Despair: Analyzing Symbols Of Corruption Within Classic Novels Published By Princeton Review Publication Year 2019 Pages [45-78]
• Tanner,T.(2020) Social Stratification Throughout Classic Works Including 'The great gatsby'. Academic Press Inc Page Range [201-250]
• Baxter,R.A,(2017), Defining Class Conflict Through Literary Analysis Book Title Essays And Arguments Publisher Cambridge University Press Chapter Seven Page Numbers From [103-128]