A black families of privilege stated to have "inculcated the values of education," which correlates to Gatsby's inculcation of education and intellectual development. Near the end of the book, Gatsby's father tells Nick about Gatsby's routine as a child. He "Read one improving book or magazine per week." Both were considered inferior, the black family due to racism, and Gatsby due to his social class. Both saw the value in education because they knew that it would help them rise up in society.
In the article, “At the Top of the Bottom in the Segregated South,” author David Lewis explains how race can define your social class. Lewis describes how his parents were important members of society and how his family “lived well”. However, after his father “testified as an authority for the N.A.A.C.P.” things went downhill for the family. Lewis said that, “In less than a year, as I remember it, our family went from the top of the social heap to pariah status in the dominant community and to an awkward presence as unemployables among its own racial group”. This shows us how even though people may take the steps to improve their social class; it is ultimately determined by how people view you. This relates to Myrtle Wilson, who lives in the valley of ashes, and desperately wants to improve her social status. She becomes Tom’s lover, but even this does not help her situation. Myrtle is always seen as poor, and does not seem to be able to escape the confines of her social class. Just like David Lewis’ race defined his social status, Myrtle Wilson’s social status defined her destiny.
This is an interesting article and gives us a different perspective on social class. One thing that the Great Gatsby does not talk about are issues of race. The novel is mostly about rich white people and their problems. It is a limited view of the social class struggles in America. It gives us one piece of the puzzle, but it's not the whole picture. Lewis' article is a reminder that race has to be a part of the discussion when were talking about social class.
In the article "At the Top of the Bottom in the Segregated South" the author stresses the social classes instead of being based off of money or property but on something much more rudimentary, race. It has always been a constricting factor due to the view of the majority towards African Americans as poor or below them. As Brennan said your class is ultimately determined by how people view you. This is shown in the book by many characters such as Myrtle or Gatsby and their struggle in the rise of classes much like the family. They were judged and placed in a class due to the race and the color of their skin that judgement from people caused them to stay in their class.
A black families of privilege stated to have "inculcated the values of education," which correlates to Gatsby's inculcation of education and intellectual development. Near the end of the book, Gatsby's father tells Nick about Gatsby's routine as a child. He "Read one improving book or magazine per week." Both were considered inferior, the black family due to racism, and Gatsby due to his social class. Both saw the value in education because they knew that it would help them rise up in society.
ReplyDeleteIn the article, “At the Top of the Bottom in the Segregated South,” author David Lewis explains how race can define your social class. Lewis describes how his parents were important members of society and how his family “lived well”. However, after his father “testified as an authority for the N.A.A.C.P.” things went downhill for the family. Lewis said that, “In less than a year, as I remember it, our family went from the top of the social heap to pariah status in the dominant community and to an awkward presence as unemployables among its own racial group”. This shows us how even though people may take the steps to improve their social class; it is ultimately determined by how people view you. This relates to Myrtle Wilson, who lives in the valley of ashes, and desperately wants to improve her social status. She becomes Tom’s lover, but even this does not help her situation. Myrtle is always seen as poor, and does not seem to be able to escape the confines of her social class. Just like David Lewis’ race defined his social status, Myrtle Wilson’s social status defined her destiny.
ReplyDeleteThis is an interesting article and gives us a different perspective on social class. One thing that the Great Gatsby does not talk about are issues of race. The novel is mostly about rich white people and their problems. It is a limited view of the social class struggles in America. It gives us one piece of the puzzle, but it's not the whole picture. Lewis' article is a reminder that race has to be a part of the discussion when were talking about social class.
ReplyDeleteIn the article "At the Top of the Bottom in the Segregated South" the author stresses the social classes instead of being based off of money or property but on something much more rudimentary, race. It has always been a constricting factor due to the view of the majority towards African Americans as poor or below them. As Brennan said your class is ultimately determined by how people view you. This is shown in the book by many characters such as Myrtle or Gatsby and their struggle in the rise of classes much like the family. They were judged and placed in a class due to the race and the color of their skin that judgement from people caused them to stay in their class.
ReplyDelete