The representation of the rich in the novel

  • Money is a huge motivator in the character's relationships, motivations and outcomes
  • A huge number of the characters are highly materialistic : everything they do is driven by the desire of money and things
    • Marriage between Daisy and Tom : the latter can guarantee Daisy a lifestyle Gatsby back then could not guarantee
    • Affair between Myrtle and Tom : lifestyle Tom can provide Myrtle, lifestyle for which Myrtle aspires
  • Money guarantees a certain social class, safety and privilege
  • Daisy and Tom can escape and avoid any consequences whereas Myrtle, Gatsby and George end up dead
  • The rich are represented as being careless :
    • Tom breaks Myrtle's nose, his behavior in the hotel scene, lets Daisy drive back with Gatsby, ...
    • Daisy throws a fit just before her wedding with Tom but goes through with it, she kisses Gatsby while Tom is in the next room, she kills Myrtle, ...
  • The rich are people who smash things and retreat in their money
  • Gatsby and Myrtle for instance contribute as well in the conflict because they obviously participate in the different affairs, but they cannot, as Daisy and Tom can, retreat in their money. They just end up dead
  • Most of the rich characters are born into wealth and do not have to work for it (Tom, Daisy)
  • They spend time amusing themselves with whatever takes their fancy
  • They are selfish and self-centered : it works in their favor that the other can't be like them
  • The rich are judgmental and superficial
  • They live an unrealistic life
  • They live a party- and sensation-filled life
  • They don't appreciate the little and most precious things in life as for instance Daisy and her daughter