Critical Thinking Questions

If they were alive in 2013, would their dream be different? What factors of their lives would change?

If they were alive in 2013 the Buchanan’s dream would stay very similar. I think it would stay the same for the most part because majority of society today cares a lot about their reputations and how other people view them. Also because in today’s time people in their financial class still care a lot about being rich and are very materialistic. However I think they would have to change somewhat because people today don’t really care “what kind” of money you are and their personalities wouldn’t be very attractive in today’s time because arrogance and being a snob isn’t something most people look for in friends. I think Gatsby’s American dream would also stay the same to a certain extent because a lot of people in today’s society are beginning to revert back to that ambitious lifestyle and always hoping for the best. Also Gatsby worked very hard for what he had. Unlike the Buchanan’s things weren’t made out for him from the day he was born. Although he took part in illegal activities to make it to where he got, he still had to work hard for his money. I think that in today’s society if Gatsby were trying to become rich by doing illegal things it would be harder. I think it would be harder because for example if prohibition were still going on today I think authorities would’ve caught on much faster with all of Gatsby’s extravagant parties.

How is TTG a commentary on the social and moral decay of the 1920s?

TTG is a commentary on the social and moral decay of the 1920s because it shows how during this time period people had the desire to be well known and liked. The book also shows the lack of morality shown during this time. For example, people during the 1920s wanted to be known for what kind of money they were (new or old) and whom they were related to. This was an important factor to people’s reputation at the time because that is what got them the most respect from society. Today’s society is quite different because as I mentioned before people don’t care where you’re money comes from, they care about the more important things (personality, talent, etc.) Also moral values then were much different, people would cheat on their spouses in very open ways and even if their partner found out about the affair they would more times than none stay together to keep their reputation the same no matter how unhappy they actually were. Today, most people would not stay with their spouse knowing that they’re unfaithful because while reputation is important, being happy means more. This relates to the book because there is such a difference between both time periods. The 1920s was more of a judgmental yet “go with the flow” kind of crowd, but today people tend to show more of a sense of morality. While people today do cheat on one another, I couldn’t see a couple today being like the Buchanan’s because in the book they stayed together even though neither of them was happy and they both were openly promiscuous. I feel like today if both people in a relationship were happy with someone else and they both knew this they would let go of the marriage if their was no happiness left.