However contrary to they’re lavish lifestyle these people who acquired new wealth were seen as unworthy to the wealthy community in America (the “old rich”) and were shunned by the click of wealthy Americans who were born into they’re materialistic lifestyle. The famous “American dream” is thought to be by most Americans the roots of their country and the key ideology’s
Hollow Dreams After World War I, financial and social opportunities were substantial for anyone willing to work hard. This lead to people pursuing dreams of wealth, which they thought would lead to pleasure. Illegal activities such as “bootlegging” were very common, as well as gambling, like when the 1919 World Series was fixed. Little did they know, these dreams wouldn’t lead them to happiness. In Fitzgerald’s The Great Gatsby, he uses characterization to suggest that chasing hollow dreams leads only to misery.
The main reason why the Lords rejected the 1909 budget was that it would have effected them directly. The proposed new taxes were directed almost solely at the rich, such as increased income taxes on incomes over £3000 p/a and a new super tax for incomes over £5000 p/a. As the Lords’ membership was hereditary, peers were all from wealthy, upper-class backgrounds. Therefore, these taxes wold have reduced their own income – and obviously, they were opposed to this. Furthermore, proposed indirect taxes on luxury goods such as motor cars and petrol would have affected the Lords as they were among the few rich enough to afford such luxuries.
Through East Egg and West Egg, Fitzgerald reveals that the American Dream is simply an illusion for most people in society. It is portrayed as though those in East Egg simply inherit their money (this is why they are considered ``old money``), while those in West Egg have somehow earned their money by working for it (this is why they are considered the ``nouveau riche``). When Fitzgerald writes ``Whenever you feel like criticizing anyone, just remember that people in this world haven’t had the advantages that you’ve had.`` (7), he is trying to say that it is much better to be morally upright when you are trying to make an honest living. In saying this, Fitzgerald makes the immorality of the wealthy seem even more unforgivable. Another important piece of evidence that shows that the American Dream is not what it appears to be is the fact that Gatsby did not earn his wealth through hard work.
An example of indecency was Gatsby’s memories and moments with Daisy. Back then, as he remembered and as Nick recalled, Gatsby was poor, working hard but drafted into the army for World War I; but as the departure prolonged, their love dissipated due to financial crisises. Naturally, Daisy married a rich man, Tom Buchanan but began to regret such marriage when Gatsby returned with popularity and wealth beyond anyone’s dreams. Daisy’s quick exchange between the two men was only because of order, who saw who first, and wealth, who was richer. Gatsby fulfilled both those choices and more; thus, Daisy logically would regret her “love” for him.
Although he has achieved wealth, his social status is not backed by a tradition that comes from his family. Because Mr. and Mrs. Wilson live in the Valley of Ashes, it is implied that they do not have much money and would not be aware of this league of the socially elite. In conclusion, this “secret society” is a group of the influential members of society based on inherited wealth and status. The only way to become a member is if you are born into it. As a member, one must be customary in their actions.
Imperialism was seen as more and more capitalism. The fact that Britain did not fight for patriotic reasons like protecting her Empire and bringing the torch of civilisation, became very unpopular among the British public. The motive of the war was gold; it was all due to financial reasons. It was also a war on behalf of the rich mine owners and it cost as much as £200 million and over 20,000 British lives. The British people therefore began to question whether or not the war had all been worth it.
In The Great Gatsby, F. Scott Fitzgerald uses the characters to demonstrate the corruption and degradation of the American Dream. He even uses the characters, namely Tom and Daisy Buchanan and Jay Gatsby, to demonstrate the demise of those who are brave enough to attempt to attain its illusionary goals. There are different types of wealth represented in this novel. The Buchanans are wealthy people. Jay Gatsby is also wealthy but would rather simply be affluent.
He again uses high society families to show changes occurring in society through two other novels, This Side of Paradise and Tender Is the Night. They both take place in the twenties when all everyone was worried about was wealth. Fitzgerald shows this greed in This Side of Paradise when Rosalind won’t marry Amory because he has little money. He also shows in Tender Is the Night how people got away with about anything just because they had money. Fitzgerald looks at the American Dream realistically and sees it can be wonderful yet depressing at the same time.
However, the development of new types of values, such as individualism, introduced changes throughout the Victorian Era. The idea of the self-made man became dominant in the middle class and the idea was that “if they work hard enough, all men can become wealthy”. And some people from the middle class did get rich and even joined the elite family. Middle- classes Victorians were also very prudish, and they believed that people could be easily tempted to stray from proper behavior. They were also extremely materialistic.