The Great Gatsby’s foundation is heavily based on social class differences in the 1920s. We can see this the most through how the characters interact with each other as there is clear tension between the wealthy upper class and the working class. The contrast between the “new money” and “old money” and the working class are the not only points of conflict but are also the main points of illustrating the illusion of the American Dream.
The most noticeable class divide in the novel is between the old money and the new money. Old money, Tom and Daisy Buchanan, are born into wealth and status. They live in East Egg, a community that is the definition of aristocracy. Tom hates the newly rich, finding them to be lacking in class and sophistication compared to his own. His disdain and superiority complex towards Gatsby is reflective of the societal barriers that make it near impossible to climb the social class ladder.
Jay Gatsby, instead, is symbolic of the group of “new money.” His wealth has come dishonestly by way of recalling the past and winning Daisy over. Gatsby’s extravagant parties, expensive way of living, and flashy demonstrations of wealth are all expressions of an attempt to prove that he is good enough for the old money group to welcome him in. But despite the financial success, Gatsby never is really included in the group of old money, he does not receive the social prestige needed to be considered old money.
Beyond the rich elite, The Great Gatsby also describes the lower class through George and Myrtle Wilson. They live in the Valley of Ashes which is the poor and desolate stretch of land between West Egg and New York City that symbolizes the social and moral decay behind the wealthy. George Wilson is a working class mechanic who never gets the chance to live out the American Dream and become wealthy. On the contrary Myrtle has an affair with Tom in hopes to escape her social class which ultimately leads to her downfall and is the perfect example of how brutal socioeconomic barriers were in the 1920s.
