Social Classes and Wealth in Gatsby - Essay Example

Wealth, education, the ruling elite are some of the basis of social classes tackled in the book. The author dwelt on the wealthy people who were among the well-educated people in America. Due to their economic influence, the wealthy people could afford quality education for their children as opposed to other Americans who were financially incapacitated. The period on which the author tells his story is also regarded as the peak of education. During this period, education was considered as essential in achieving the American dream.

The connection between education and American dream made American parents to be eager about giving their children the best education opportunity available in the country during that time. However, the financial capacity of every person or parent determined the quality of education that he or she could afford for his or her children. This widened the gap between the rich and the poor as the rich continuously became wealthier while the poor continued to struggle with poverty. “He was left with singularly appropriate education; the vague contour of jay Gatsby had filled out to sustainability” (Fitzgerald 81). . The establishment of American societies based on social classes created issues of lifestyles differences.

The lifestyle differences between the rich and the poor were a major factor that differentiated the American society in the 1920s. According to the author, the wealthy class was not concerned with political and spiritual matters, but they were more concerned with how other people perceived them. Wealthy people lived a life that was full of leisure and, they became an envy of other people. It was however difficult for people from lower classes to live the lifestyle of wealthy people even when given money.

Jay Gatsby is a character who attempted to cross over the social gap by acquiring money. Although jay acquired enough money to transform his social standards, the money would not make him to change his social behaviors. The book divides American wealth people into west Eggers and East Eggers. Social characters of their individual members characterize the two societies. The East Eggers were created by ‘old money’ or inherited wealth while the West Eggers resulted from self-created wealth (Bruccoli 56).

The two groups were also distinguished by their level of education with the west Eggers been conscious about academic achievements. “Across the courtesy bay the white palaces of fashionable East Egg glittered along the water and the history of summer” (Fitzgerald 9). According to the author, the East Eggers looked down on West Eggers for their attachment to education and definition of wealthy. Education and financial capabilities distinguish members of the wealthy society according to the West Eggers.

Wealth is another significant theme that the author analyzed. The impacts of wealth on