Thursday, August 13, 2015

Does Gatsby affirm or resist bourgeois values (capitalistic, materialistic, stereotypically middle class values) in The Great Gatsby?

The novel The Great Gatsby is a
repudiation, denunciation, and condemnation of bourgeois values.  Tom is the predominant
bourgeois figure in the novel.  Gatsby is a corruption of the American Dream, as is his
gangster business partner/friend, but they do not necessarily represent bourgeois
values.  Tom is the status quo.  The others are unusual in American society. 
Bootleggers do not represent the American norm, and they do not care about
respectability. 


Tom, on the other hand, is typically
bourgeois.  He feels superior to those without money, thinks his way is the best way, is
ignorant and bigoted, thinks males and females should be held to different standards in
terms of extramarital relations, and flaunts his money every chance he gets.  He is the
stereotypical bourgeois businessman.  He cares about respectability and what others
think of him.  Gatsby does not.


Gatsby's dream isn't about
money.  It's about Daisy.  Gatsby raises himself up to a high level of wealth so that he
has a chance to win Daisy back.  It's not about money for Gatsby.  It's about money for
Tom. 


And Tom comes off badly in the novel.  He is revealed
to be all of what I've mentioned above. 


The novel is an
indictment of the bourgeois, and that is most evident in the character of
Tom. 

No comments:

Post a Comment

How far is Iago justified in hating Othello?

Iago hates Othello for some of reasons. First reason could be that Othello promoted Cassio in his place; however, Iago wants it and he cosid...