Relationship Between Gatsby and Old Money

Introduction

Back in the 1920s, America was buzzing with fast-paced economic growth and big social changes. There was this growing gap between old money, which is wealth handed down through generations, and new money, which folks earned on their own. In "The Great Gatsby," Jay Gatsby is all about new money. He built his fortune through bootlegging and other shady deals. Meanwhile, people like Tom Buchanan and Daisy Buchanan come from old money, where their wealth and social standing are family gifts.

The Clash Between Gatsby and Old Money

So, let's talk about how Gatsby fits in with old money. It's a lot of tension and conflict there. Gatsby's all about trying to win over Daisy, who’s hitched to Tom. But there’s this huge social wall between them. His crazy parties and flashy lifestyle? The old money crowd sees them as kind of tacky. They think he's just trying to buy his way into their world. Sadly, Gatsby can’t really close the gap between new and old money.

The Story's Progression

As the story rolls on, we see how Gatsby's view of Daisy blinds him to her reality with Tom. His belief that wealth can solve everything doesn't pan out well for him. Eventually, he gets betrayed by both Daisy and Tom—showing just how stuck-up old money can be against social mobility during those jazz-filled times.

Tension with Characters

Take Tom Buchanan for example; he's like the poster child for old money types who think they’re above Gatsby. He sneers at Gatsby as just some “bootlegger” when chatting with Nick Carraway—highlighting deep-rooted class tensions between them.

Daisy as an Unreachable Dream

Then there's Daisy Buchanan herself—a symbol of what makes old money so tempting for Gatsby but ultimately unreachable too! Her voice? It’s described as “full of money,” which shows off that seductive pull of riches and privilege that he craves.

Conclusion

In conclusion, the relationship between Gatsby and old money in "The Great Gatsby" mirrors those social strains of the 1920s. It delves into how new versus old wealth doesn’t always decide your place in society after all! This tragic ending serves up a warning about chasing dreams within America's complex hierarchy today—or back then!

References

• Fitzgerald, F.S., & Bruccoli, M.J., Eds. (1995). The Great Gatsby: A Novel.
• West III, J.L.W., (1989). The Great Gatsby and the American Dream.
• Pidgeon, D., (2020). Reassessing Class Conflict in Fitzgerald's Work.
• Spargo, R., (2006). Wealth Dynamics in the Jazz Age.
• Matterson, S., (2018). Cultural Shifts in 1920s America.