Literary Analysis: The Class Structure of the 1920s in "The Great Gatsby"
In "The Great Gatsby," F. Scott Fitzgerald critiques the rigid class structures of the 1920s, highlighting the socio-economic divides that shape individuals' identities and aspirations. Through the characters of Jay Gatsby and Tom Buchanan, Fitzgerald juxtaposes the self-made wealth of the new money class against the entrenched aristocracy of the old money class. Gatsby’s extravagant parties, which symbolize his attempts to break into upper society, ultimately reveal the paradox of the American Dream: despite his opulence, he is never fully accepted by the Buchanans or their social circle. This exclusion underscores the idea that wealth alone cannot transcend the deeply embedded social hierarchies of the time. Furthermore, Fitzgerald employs the valley of ashes—a desolate area representing the moral and social decay resulting from the unregulated pursuit of wealth—to demonstrate the sacrifice of the lower classes who are trapped in a cycle of poverty. Through these contrasting settings and characters, Fitzgerald conveys a poignant message about the illusory nature of the American Dream, suggesting that the class divisions of the 1920s are not merely economic but also deeply rooted in social prejudice and identity.