On the
surface, wealth seems to be the most important value and goal in this world, and to a great
extent that is true. 's wealth, for example, brings him power. He impresses people with his huge
house and string of polo ponies, and he is able to use his wealth to bully the little people,
like , and keep a mistress in Wilson's wife.
understands the ethic of the
world he lives in: he knows that if he wants to regain , he needs money and lots of it. He is
willing to engage in a life of crime to earn the wealth he needs to attract her, and he is also
willing to spend it freely.
As the contrast between Tom and Gatsby shows,
however, it takes more than mere money to be a top dog in this culture. Gatsby has a vast amount
of money, but he lacks Tom's pedigree: he hasn't inherited his wealth, he doesn't have the right
connections, he doesn't horseback ride, he hasn't been to an Ivy League college, and his clothes
and demeanor are just not quite right. He is...
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