Jillian Lydon Mrs. Dolan Literature 2 17 October 2014 Jay Gatsby vs. Tom Buchanan Throughout the novel The Great Gatsby by F. Scott Fitzgerald, the characters Jay Gatsby and Tom Buchanan are compared and contrasted quite frequently. Gatsby and Tom are alike in that they are both extremely wealthy and flaunt it, both men also are in love with Daisy Buchanan and both Tom and Gatsby have secrets that they are hiding from their loved ones. The two men differ in the way they came into their money, the way they treat other people and in the fact that Tom is married to Daisy while Gatsby just has an extreme desire for her. Both Jay Gatsby and Tom Buchanan are extraordinarily wealthy and have no problem showing it off to others. Gatsby throws lavish parties every weekend in hopes of winning back his true love, Daisy Buchanan, while Tom lives in an extravagant house and makes sure that everyone knows he is above them.
As the whole nation celebrated winning World War I, a booming economy, and their country, Jay Gatsby was celebrating a different type of dignity. Gatsby was no stranger when it came to pride, nor was he a stranger to flaunting it. He was wealthy, had a nice house, was well known, and everyone envied him for what he possessed. Gatsby would flaunt his money and wealth by saying comments like, “My house
Eventually Gatsby meets Dan Cody, the man who ultimately inspires him to pursue his dream of winning Daisy back. Gatsby is influenced by Dan’s criminal activity, as it is what led to his wealth. This is seen when a young Gatsby looks up at Dan’s yacht that “represented all the beauty and glamour in the world” (100). Gatsby thought that by becoming rich, he would win Daisy back. He was wrong.
Furthermore, he joined the military, working to show that he could excel at anything that he desired to. Gatsby also threw extravagant parties, believing that his fantasy could become reality, and the love of his life would reveal herself. Jay Gatsby is a great character because he is optimistic, believing that he can achieve his dreams by pursuing them. One of the first dreams that Gatsby wished to achieve was a switch from the lower to upper class. He had come from a family of “shiftless and unsuccessful farm people,” (Fitzgerald 99), and was determined to gain greater things.
The eastern seaboard symbolized by the "East Egg" comes to represent the affluence of the Jazz Age, its residents those who have succeeded in obtaining the wealth and power that the "American Dream" represented. Those that reside there have access to the inherited privileges the come with money, something which is revealed through the character of Daisy and the fact that she can "retreat back into [her] money and vast carelessness"(179), even after the death of Myrtle Wilson. The East epitomizes the desirable Nick moves to the East in order to make a name for himself, and Gatsby's dream is that he can earn enough material wealth to penetrate the seemingly untouchable world of Daisy and the East Egg. Those that live in West Egg are thought of as "new money". Nick describes it as being "the less fashionable of the two"(5).
The Great Gatsby Research Paper The Roaring Twenties was a time of economic prosperity and social change that America had never seen before. In F. Scott Fitzgerald’s The Great Gatsby the author portrays the obsession with wealth and social status during the novel’s setting; the 1920s. The insatiable quest for social status and its detrimental effects on society’s morals develops throughout the setting and characters as a major theme in the novel. The damaging effects show through Nick’s opinion of the other characters, Gatsby’s devotion to winning Daisy back, and Fitzgerald’s use of imagery and characterization throughout the novel. Growing up in New York during the 1920s, Fitzgerald had firsthand experience when writing his novel.
Essay Questions Essay 1 - Mercantilism During Louis XIV’s reign in the 17th Century, he had troubles financing his many wars. So, what did he do? He got lucky! It was because an official, named Colbert, that was recommended to Louis XIV that the French found a way to become very wealthy. A brilliant economic system was brought forth that is still used today in all parts of the world.
Donald Trump owns some of the most prestigious pieces of prime real estate in New York City. Trump has slapped his Trump brand name on some of the finest hotels, casinos and building complexes in the city. Trump began his career in his family's real estate business
Beowulf retained his wealth though triumphs in battles. Material wealth was a sign of fame to Anglo-Saxons. Fame was important to Anglo-Saxons because their fame temporarily defeated their fate, therefore, making fame a lifetime goal. Beowulf received lucrative treasures after vanquishing his opponents. For instance, after the battle with Grendel’s mother, Beowulf acknowledged his surroundings where he explained, “the monsters’ hall was full of rich treasures,” (lines 568-569).
As we know everything in our life depends on freak of chance, but old Anthony thinks that money can decide all problems of his life. Old Anthony is a wealth tycoon of Rockwell’s Eureka Soap. He is very fond and proud of his son Richard. Old Anthony is absolutely sure that money is omnipotent and he tries to convince his son that money can do everything. From one side we can see Anthony and his wealth (his views about real feelings, about love) and from another side we see Richard and his feelings.