The classic novel of “The Great Gatsby” by F. Scott Fitzgerald documents the life of the upper-class of society in the 1920s. This decade was known as the Roaring Twenties when America’s economy was booming and social class was constantly changing. However, too much change can often result in negative effects and that’s exactly what happened. The Great Gatsby exposes the truth and dangers of social class privilege through material conditions, the superior race, and natural oppression.

Material conditions

In the article, “How Social Class Thoughts and Actions in Organization,” Stephane Cote explains the psychological process of each social class and why material possessions is so valuable in the 1920s. Material conditions helps to create an individual’s behavior and relationships with others because it acts as a limiter or boundary that separate one individual from another. This is why Cote explains that, “Material conditions shape the way people think who they are, how they should approach others, and what they should do (9). Because of this, a wealthy individual wouldn’t have the same interest and liking compared to a lower class individual which creates the natural separation of humans.

Resonance

The concept of how material possessions define an individual’s social life and interactions with others relates with Jay Gatsby himself. While describing his love for Daisy, Gatsby states, “She vanished into her rich house, into her rich, full life, leaving Gatsby [behind with] nothing (Fitzgerald 149). Gatsby is explaining to the audience the reason why he and Daisy can not get married because they belong in different classes. Daisy clearly belongs to the highest class of society because everyone respects her material possessions of a rich house and fine clothing while Gatsby is a middle class trying to get something he can’t. This is the danger of separation and lost of love due to the social class privilege.

Superior Race

Diane Goodman’s article of, “Oppression and Privilege: Two Sides of the Same Coin,” addresses examples of privilege against oppression in the 1920s. During this time, the United States and many other countries would have a dominant group of race/ethnicity which in America’s case are white males. (Goodman 2). They would receive greater social power and earn special benefits compared to those of another race. The dominant race would usually control social and have a say in the government while many other males from different races would face suffering and hardship since they are being oppressed.

Resonance:

“The Great Gatsby” describes many examples of of the dominant race through Tom Buchanan’s philosophy. When Nick is dining with the Buchanan’s, Tom states, “It’s up to us, who are the dominant race, to watch out or these other races will have control of things” (Fitzgerald 13). Tom clearly does not want other people to be able to work hard enough and reach his social stature but would rather oppress them from reaching this goal. His selfish behavior is natural considering how society fears him for his money and material possessions, so Tom continues to be arrogant and stand firm that he and only he receives all the benefits and privileges of society.

Natural Oppression

The same article, “Oppression and Privilege: Two Sides of the Same Coin,” by Diane Goodman also describes the negative effects oppression brings. Being oppress from society means being at a disadvantage and subjecting to the injustice of society. The 1920s would criticize anyone who tried to work hard for their dreams of achieving a higher rank but it was an implausible dream. Goodman describes oppression as, “At the individual level, people from disadvantaged groups would face interpersonal bias or [physical] violence” (4). From a societal level, individuals would be rejected and offered less sources with limits of how much they could get. The list goes on and on describing the negative effects oppression brings. This is the corruption of the social class privilege.

Resonance

F. Scott Fitzgerald describes the oppression of disadvantaged groups with the relationship between Tom and Wilson. With Tom being the highest class and Wilson being at the bottom, Wilson must follow Tom’s order like a slave to him. He lives in the Valley of Ashes which describes what type of material possessions he may have while Tom has his own mansion. This type of contrast depicts the privilege and oppression that society faced during the 1920s. When talking to Tom after visiting the Wilson family, Tom states, “Wilson thinks she goest to see her sister in New York. He’s so dumb he doesn’t know he’s alive” (Fitzgerald 26). Tom abuses his privilege and took Wilson’s wife away and criticizes him for being a lesser race.

Continued Impact

Even though social class had privileges and oppression back during the 1920s, it is brand new now than it has ever been before. In today’s society, the government is working hard to try and give everyone the same respect and honor they deserve as individuals. No longer is there the “dominant race” although many would argue against it but it is much less of a threat than before. Unfortunately though, people who has better material possessions would always be viewed with more respect and has a higher control.

Conclusion

F. Scott Fitzgerald’s novel, “The Great Gatsby” shows the dangers of social class privilege during the 1920s through material conditions, the superior race, and natural oppression. Fitzgerald was able to show the gravity of these problems through the use of characterization and symbolism. He aimed to show that the major problems in the book occurred in real life as well.