In the post-war era of the 1920s, during a time of substantial wealth and prosperity, a bond banker by the name of Nick Carraway travels from Chicago to return to Long Island where he moves in to a small, quaint home surrounded by the wealth of industrial self-made men who earned their status, just as he himself is in the process of doing so. Long Island is divided between East Egg, known as the center for the “old money” privileged who were born into their wealth, and West Egg, where the “new money” moguls who earned their wealth, such as Nick Carraway, reside, serving to show that even though both sides are equally wealthy, a class division remains among the genuinely wealthy and the so-called “self-made man”. As a child, his father advised him “Whenever you feel like criticizing any one . . . just remember that all the people in this world haven't had the advantages that you've had”, indicating his background in a middle class family that values moral justice, rather than trusting loosely interpreted rumors, and that one must work toward his own success in life rather than accepting the easiness of being handed such. As he narrates the story, Carraway seems to be speaking towards more of the working class than the already wealthy populous as he explains almost in awe the grandeur and sophistication of the lives of the wealthy people he finds himself surrounded by in such a way that he is almost an outsider looking in, as he has not yet attained the level of success that his newly found acquaintances have achieved.
During this time of such widespread prosperity, people began to splurge on their spending by purchasing lavish dwellings, fancy cars, and also their way into the social scene as speak easies and dance halls became increasingly popular. Such behaviors exhibited serve to fit the characteristics of Carraway’s cousin, Daisy Buchanan, and her husband, Tom, who live rather wealthy lives in West Egg, but are only interested in, and consumed by, the material matters present in their lives. Their shallow personalities reflect how their lives center on gossip and money as when it was rumored that Nick was engaged before he moved to the East, he denied by answering “Its libel. I’m too poor”, and Daisy responds by insisting, "But we heard it . . . we heard it from three people, so it must be true." Daisy and Tim highly contrast Nick as they live a lavish lifestyle whereas Nick made his own fortune through hard work and sacrifice, which is why they are unable to understand his reason for not marrying the girl because he did not have the means to do so, whereas for Daisy and Tom, money has never been an issue. However, Tom has a mistress on the side who frequently calls, causing Daisy to dismiss the matter as she does not wish to confront her husband and hurt their dreamlike marriage that appears so perfect on the outside. The relationship between Daisy and Tom describes the true essence of the 1920’s as everything looked beautiful from an outsider’s point of view, but was truly corrupte and not as “perfect” as one might think when they truly got to understand what was going on during that time. In all, the underlying theme is money and how it is a prevailing concept in most people’s lives during this time, but once they begin to abuse their wealth it causes all kinds of corruption.
During this time of such widespread prosperity, people began to splurge on their spending by purchasing lavish dwellings, fancy cars, and also their way into the social scene as speak easies and dance halls became increasingly popular. Such behaviors exhibited serve to fit the characteristics of Carraway’s cousin, Daisy Buchanan, and her husband, Tom, who live rather wealthy lives in West Egg, but are only interested in, and consumed by, the material matters present in their lives. Their shallow personalities reflect how their lives center on gossip and money as when it was rumored that Nick was engaged before he moved to the East, he denied by answering “Its libel. I’m too poor”, and Daisy responds by insisting, "But we heard it . . . we heard it from three people, so it must be true." Daisy and Tim highly contrast Nick as they live a lavish lifestyle whereas Nick made his own fortune through hard work and sacrifice, which is why they are unable to understand his reason for not marrying the girl because he did not have the means to do so, whereas for Daisy and Tom, money has never been an issue. However, Tom has a mistress on the side who frequently calls, causing Daisy to dismiss the matter as she does not wish to confront her husband and hurt their dreamlike marriage that appears so perfect on the outside. The relationship between Daisy and Tom describes the true essence of the 1920’s as everything looked beautiful from an outsider’s point of view, but was truly corrupte and not as “perfect” as one might think when they truly got to understand what was going on during that time. In all, the underlying theme is money and how it is a prevailing concept in most people’s lives during this time, but once they begin to abuse their wealth it causes all kinds of corruption.