The Role of Race and Ethnicity in The Great Gatsby: The Marginalization of Characters and the Reflection of 1920s American Society
The Role of Race and Ethnicity in The Great Gatsby: The Marginalization of Characters and the Reflection of 1920s American Society
While The Great Gatsby is often studied for its portrayal of wealth, class, and the American Dream, the novel also reflects the racial and ethnic dynamics of 1920s America, albeit subtly. F. Scott Fitzgerald addresses the marginalization of non-white characters, highlighting how racial prejudice and social exclusion influenced the lives of those living in the Jazz Age.
The character of George Wilson, a mechanic who is part of the working class, is a critical figure in this context. Although George is white, his economic status places him at the bottom of the social hierarchy, and he is depicted as somewhat invisible in the world of the novel’s wealthier characters. His wife, Myrtle Wilson, is also marginalized, but her affair with Tom Buchanan and her desire to transcend her social status highlight her own struggles with class mobility. However, it’s important to note that Fitzgerald portrays these characters through the lens of their lower-class status rather than focusing on their ethnic identities, suggesting that race, while significant, is intertwined with social class in the world of The Great Gatsby.
More overtly, the novel references the racial prejudices of the time through the character of Mr. McKee, who is mentioned briefly at one of Gatsby’s parties. The casual racism that permeates the social gatherings and attitudes of characters like Tom Buchanan reveals the racial tensions of the era. Tom’s views on race are especially stark when he speaks condescendingly about the idea of “intermarriage” and refers to the lower-class citizens as “the colored” without a second thought.
The novel’s treatment of race and ethnicity subtly critiques the exclusionary nature of the American Dream, showing how not only class, but also race, prevented many people from fully participating in the ideals of prosperity and success that Gatsby so desperately sought.
