Inequality In The Great Gatsby

Words: 2093
Pages: 9
Open Document
America has been viewed as a beacon of equality by people living both inside and outside of America, but most fail to see the reality that America was built and continues to thrive on inequality in all areas of the country. Many pieces of literature, along with research, have exposed the rampant social, economic, and political inequality that has been a part of this country since its inception. Economic inequality can be seen through the lens of The Great Gatsby by F. Scott Fitzgerald, and “Varieties of Wealth: Toward a Comparative Sociology of Wealth Inequality”. Socio-Economic Review” by J. Becker. Political inequality can be seen through Unwind by Neil Shusterman, and “Wealth and Political Inequality in the US Congress” by Darrian Stacy. …show more content…
Stacy’s dissertation shines light on the inequality that many politicians try to avoid discussing, with the paper exploring how those in American politics who have access to greater wealth than others in their field, have a greater chance of having their ideas heard and taken seriously. When talking about this, Stacy says “The bills of the wealthiest members advance further through various stages of the lawmaking process than the bills of their peers, and the bills of the least wealthy members disproportionately fall by the wayside earlier in the process” (Stacy 2). When people start to look deeper into America's capitalist nature, it makes total sense that politicians with greater wealth, in turn, have greater authority on what is being discussed and ratified in Congress. When American citizens start to understand that power will always rest with those who can afford it, they can finally start to come up with ideas for a better way to combat this inequality affecting every aspect of American …show more content…
This inequity is alarming” (Geraty 6). There is a troubling disparity in maternal mortality rates within minority populations in the United States. Systematic racism that has been perpetuated since the nation's inception has caused discrimination in the access and quality of healthcare in the United States for minorities like African American women. This social inequality relates to all other forms of inequality in the United States, with African American women having high rates of poverty, leading to only being able to afford hospitals with less funding and inferior care. New policies that educate and advocate for minorities seem to be the only way to improve their current situation in life. Most Americans think that even though the U.S. is not perfect, it’s a place equal enough for all Americans to have a chance to succeed in life, no matter who they are, or where they come from. This way of thinking allows those in power to look over problems affecting those at the lower end of American society without having to worry about backlash or
Show More

Related Documents: Inequality In The Great Gatsby

Theme Of Inequality In The Great Gatsby

As we look into the world of the Great Gatsby, it may seem like some paradise for the fortunate. In reality all there really is to see is the mass amount of inequality among the social classes that seem to be one sided, how much dirty money is made in order to feed the greedy minds of the rich that ends up making the poor end of the spectrum experience unnecessary suffering due to the ridiculous amount of money the new money have, and how the American Dream is portrayed in this prejudice society…

Words 119 - Pages 1

Inequalities Between Men And Women In The Great Gatsby

There are many theme topics within The Great Gatsby. The interview hints at the themes of inequalities between men and women, recklessness and carelessness of the elite and the acceptance of the banality of evil. More crucially, however, the interview and story teach a common theme. The interview shows how people are unable to transcend that which has occurred in the past. Although this does not apply to Ms. Baker’s interview, it encompasses Tom Buchanan's interview. Tom cannot accept how Daisy’s…

Words 301 - Pages 2

The Great Gatsby Obstacles

ownership. This notion has drastically changed. The way each generation and socioeconomic class interprets this dream differs significantly. For instance, in the Roaring Twenties depicted in The Great Gatsby, Jay Gatsby epitomizes…

Words 2419 - Pages 10

The Gg Essay

the American Dream is really about. In The Great Gatsby, by F. Scott Fitzgerald, the settings West Egg, East Egg, and the Valley of Ashes are used by Fitzgerald to emphasise the corruption and the consequences of the American Dream upon American society, particularly for those who cannot obtain it, like the character Myrtle Wilson. The settings in the novel also enhance the readers’ appreciation of the significance of the economic and social inequalities between the rich and the poor. East Egg, a…

Words 927 - Pages 4

Love Theme Essay

The theme of Love throughout The Great Gatsby and Frankenstein James Fincher Jay Gatsby, the argued protagonist of The Great Gatsby, is the most obvious character to write about under the theme of love. Mr Gatsby is a mysterious and wealthy man who owns a large house/mansion on the East Egg of Long Island, in New York. Gatsby, for a man who throws large extravagant parties every Saturday for the citizens of New York, has a lack of identity amongst the party crowds. Many gossip and say he has killed…

Words 669 - Pages 3

Valley In The Great Gatsby

The only way to climb steps is to step on them. In F. Scott Fitzgerald’s the Great Gatsby, the upper class does just that: it climbs the steps of social class by stepping over those who are poorer. The lower class face degradation and downfall caused by the wealthy’s selfish pursuit of pleasure and satisfaction. In the Great Gatsby, the Valley of Ashes symbolizes Fitzgerald’s criticism towards the wealthy’s sole regard for self gain, which creates dire consequences for the poor. Fitzgerald uses…

Words 1018 - Pages 5

The Great Gatsby Rhetorical Analysis

success. This is also due to the disadvantages in race, gender, and economic status that are rooted in biases and inequalities. “The American Dream” is often hailed as a beacon of hope and opportunity for newcomers coming to the country, an ideal for the majority but creates unrealistic standards for what life is like while living in the United States. In My Opinion, The Great Gatsby by F. Scott Fitzgerald and the American Dream connect in multiple significant ways; they each influence and reflect…

Words 597 - Pages 3

Social Classes In The Great Gatsby

but in his integrity and his ability to affect those around him positively.” The Great Gatsby, by F.Scott Fitzgerald, is perceived as a masterpiece of its time regarding the day to day life of American citizens and the issues surrounding the social classes in the United States. The role and the significance each class plays in the novel creates the commonly seen aspects of the Roaring Twenties. The Great Gatsby demonstrates the brutality and inequity social classes posed on the normalities of…

Words 923 - Pages 4

gatsby feminism Essay

Susan B. Anthony, a women’s rights activist once said, “The true republic: Men, their rights and nothing more; Women, their rights and nothing less.” Here she is describing her view on gender inequality during the 1920’s. She recognizes the large gap between women and men’s rights. During this time, many changes had begun. The 19th amendment extended the right of suffrage to women, therefore granting them independence. These independent women were often referred to as the “New Woman”. This was such…

Words 931 - Pages 4

Flappers Research Paper

The 1920s, known as the Roaring Twenties, were a period of vibrant social and cultural change that significantly affected women's roles in high society. This era saw the emergence of flappers, young women who defied traditional norms with their bobbed hair, shorter hemlines, and unabashed enjoyment of jazz music and dance halls. These changes were not merely superficial; they represented a fundamental shift in the perception and expression of women's independence. The flapper movement challenged…

Words 1002 - Pages 5