Old Money Vs. No Money In The Great Gatsby Essay Example

The Jazz age named by F. Scott Fitzgerald was a turning point for American society since the war had ended people’s moral change and means of earning money.  which he perfectly demonstrates in his novel. The novel, The Great Gatsby, by F. Scott Fitzgerald, illustrates the variety of changes to American society like moral corruption and the concept of Old Money vs. New money that helps shape the future. 

What is the difference between right and wrong, good and evil? Prior to the writing of The Great Gatsby, most books and stories had Heroes and villains but in The Great Gatsby, there is no hero or villain so it makes it more relatable.  In The Great Gatsby Nick says, “I wanted the world to be in uniform and at a sort of moral attention forever” This shows Nick’s realization that no one is morally right and that everyone is flawed but that is what makes us human. ( pg 1) The narrator Nick says “After Gatsby’s death the East was haunted for me like that, distorted beyond my eyes’ power of correction”(185) which means he believed that he always knew was right and that he had high morals but with the death of Gatbsy he questions his morals and view on right and wrong. The concept of moral corruption is fueled by the concept of old money vs new money and here’s why.

In the 1920s a concept that was changed of the Idea of Old Money vs. New money. Prior to the War most of the wealthy came from wealthy families it was rare for a person to become rich from hard work. But after the war, new jobs and organized crimes allowed people to obtain wealth. When tom says,  “I picked him for a bootlegger the first time I saw him, and I wasn’t far wrong.”( 143) he brings out the fact that Gatbsy is a part of the mafia and did not inherit his money which seemed to bother tom since tom most likely inherited his wealth. It bothers him since he believes since his family’s names hold power and money that he is better than everyone else  Towards the end of the story, Nick explains the meaning of new money, “ in a city where dwellings are still called through decades by a family’s name. I see now that this has been a story of the West”.(185) It shows the concept of old money in which tom falls into is inherited money and having so-called power because of their name. 

In conclusion, the nineteen twenties changed American society. There was a change of moral corruption and inclusion of the concept New money vs. Old Money. Both of the changes are linked since those who have old money believe they are morally correct since they have wealth and power so no matter what they do they can clean it up and make it appear as if it is right. Whereas those with new money also believe they are morally correct since they do not do bad things for their money and “truly” earn theory money. But in reality, neither of the social classes are right or wrong. The novel didn’t teach me anything but solidified there was not right or wrong, good or evil.