The Great Gatsby and money

The Great Gatsby is centred on money and wealth, despite initially seen as just a novel regarding the relationship between the protagonist Jay Gatsby and Daisy, the story is very much centred on money, who has it, who wants it and who will do anything to get it. This image reflects the materialistic views of not only the characters but American society in the 1920’s in which The Great Gatsby is set. Due to the rise in the stock market, it allowed for people from any social standing to gain access to large amounts of money in which to boost their own personal wealth, this however created a class of frivolous spenders where buying and consuming was a regular occurrence. The dollar sign clearly reflects this idea of money being central, and as the man clutches the money his facial expression is one of pleasure and excitement at holding such large amounts of money.

Money within The Great Gatsby is centred on the two terms old and new, Daisy and Tom have old money. This is reflected in there geography of where they live, living in East egg reflects there élite power of wealth. They have inherited their money and had a very wealthy upbringing. This differing from Gatsby as his money is seen as new money, this being translated to his own location in which he lives. West egg is seen the home of new money, the people who inhabit it have made their own wealth through hard work. This like Gatsby’s background which is seen as a “Rags to Riches” story, unlike Horatio Alger Gatsby can be seen to create some of his own money through the less legitimate business of bootlegging, in the selling of alcohol.

Many of the characters within the story are very money centred. Daisy wants to marry in to a good family. Instead of waiting for Gatsby like she promised she chose to marry Tom, who could provide her with the aristocratic background of wealth and power that she so desires. Myrtle can also been seen as a character striving for wealth and status, her affair with Tom is aimed to increase her social status, and allow her access to the life that she so desires. The dollar glasses in this photo could represent how both Daisy and Myrtle view the world. They see everything as an opportunity to increase their own social standing and thus power.

The way that the man is clutching the pile of money, can reflect the greed associated with The Great Gatsby. This being as many of the characters aim to create their own wealth and thus fore-fill their own personal American Dream. Gatsby displays his wealth much like the man in the photo, but in the form of his lavish parties. These are designed to gain Daisy’s attention, as Gatsby believes that if he has money and shows this to her she will return to him. This however is not the case as Daisy continues to choose Tom over Gatsby as he is seen to be the better option on paper then Gatsby.