The Great Gatsby, written by F. Scott Fitzgerald, explores the theme of new money through the characters and their quest for wealth in the 1920s. In this essay, we will delve deeper into the concept of new currency and its meaning in the novel. By examining the experiences of Jay Gatsby, Tom Buchanan, and Daisy Buchanan, we will discover the complexities of the new currency and its effects on social status, relationships, and the American dream. Ultimately, this essay argues that new money, while providing opportunities for upward mobility, often comes at a price. This can lead to superficial relationships, materialistic pursuits, and loss of one's true identity. Say no to plagiarism. Get a tailor-made essay on “Why Violent Video Games Should Not Be Banned”?Get the original essayNew money, as depicted in The Great Gatsby, refers to individuals who have recently acquired wealth, usually through to business ventures or inheritance. These individuals have not inherited their wealth over generations and do not have the social status associated with “old money.” Fitzgerald highlights the distinction between new money and old money to demonstrate the changing social dynamics of the 1920s. The character of Jay Gatsby is a prime example of new money, as he amasses his wealth through illegal means and attempts to integrate into the upper class. Proof of the text: “I discovered what your “pharmacies” were. He turned to us and spoke quickly: “He and this Wolfsheim bought up many street pharmacies here and in Chicago and sold grain alcohol over the counter. It was one of his little tricks that I chose him for a smuggler. the time I saw it, and I wasn't very wrong. » (Fitzgerald 141)Analysis: Gatsby's wealth is based on illegal activities, signifying the corrupt nature of new money. His lack of social acceptance among the upper class is evident in Tom Buchanan's dismissive commentary on Gatsby's criminal activities. The quest for wealth in The Great Gatsby is closely linked to the desire for social status. New financial characters, like Gatsby, attempt to use their wealth to gain acceptance in the elite circles of society. However, they often face resistance and prejudice from those who own old money. Tom Buchanan, representing the old money, views the new money as inferior and lacking the refined education and cultural knowledge associated with the upper class. Evidence from the text: “A man from Oxford! » He was incredulous. "He's really good! He's wearing a pink suit." (Fitzgerald 139) Analysis: Tom's dismissive comment about Gatsby's education and his attention to Gatsby's clothing highlight the prejudice against new money. Despite Gatsby's extravagant wealth, his social status remains tainted in the eyes of those with old money. The presence of new money in The Great Gatsby has a significant impact on the relationships depicted in the novel. Characters with new money often struggle to form genuine connections with others, as their wealth becomes an obstacle to authentic relationships. Daisy Buchanan, who comes from old money, is torn between her love for Gatsby, a man with new money, and the security that her marriage to Tom Buchanan, a man with old money, provides. "People, Tom and Daisy, destroyed things and creatures, then retreated into their money or their great carelessness, or whatever it was that held them together, and let other people clean up the mess that they had done. "(Fitzgerald 188)Analysis: The, 2004.