Taking place in the flourishing era of the "roaring twenties", The Great Gatsby by Scott Fitzgerald brings up social class differences with West and East Egg. The Buchanans, known as old money because their wealth passed down from older generations, live in East Egg. Nick, the narrator, and Gatsby live in West Egg; they represent the nouveau riche, or people who gained their wealth in their own generation. Even though both sides are well off economically and may have humble beginnings, new money is deemed inferior compared to the old. New money have something that old money lacks: optimism and heart.
Old money have the notion that new money got their fortune by luck rather than hard work. or that they do not deserve their wealth. Old money -privileged of an Ivy League form of education, personal and professional networks- have specific ways of formality and mannerism of the rich. The newly rich are the successful people who drove their dreams into reality, resulting in their fortune. Seeing how flaunting and irresponsible some of the new money is with their riches (e.g. Gatsby's extravagant parties, gigantic mansions), the older generations frown upon the new money.
This goes without saying that old money still have their own problems. Their selfishness grown from being fed from a silver spoon, leads to never being satisfied. Daisy acts superficially to mask the pain of her husband's affair. The Buchanans put their image to society as a priority even if struggling with their marriage. Even though old money is fortunate to live in a lavish lifestyle, they do not necessarily act responsibly with their own emotions and relationships.
This goes without saying that old money still have their own problems. Their selfishness grown from being fed from a silver spoon, leads to never being satisfied. Daisy acts superficially to mask the pain of her husband's affair. The Buchanans put their image to society as a priority even if struggling with their marriage. Even though old money is fortunate to live in a lavish lifestyle, they do not necessarily act responsibly with their own emotions and relationships.
