Subconscious Lens In The Great Gatsby By F. Scott Fitzgerald

Authors often create ideas and different views in the reader's head through a mix of symbolization and contrast. With this combination, the reader can interpret what’s being presented in front of them in various ways. A “lens” is created and the ideas and views erupting into the reader's head are unique to them, and them alone. This lens grants the reader an ability to comprehend and contrast the author's deeper meanings, but in their own individual process. Through simple beliefs that one holds to be true, and how one reacts to the world around them, a subconscious lens is always equipped when reading. Switching that lens presents a depth of understanding to the reader, an understanding that the author may not have implied even. Multifarious

Think of a triangle divided into four sections with old money at the top. New money follows old money, then middle class, with lower class at the bottom. Nick symbolizes the middle class, and acts as middle ground between lower class and new/old money. After a dinner event, Tom urges Nick to accompany him to the Valley of Ashes, a rugged and worn down town. Tom lugs his travel companion around town and ends up at a party with Nick, George's wife Myrtle, and two others. Viewing the people in the room as their respective social classes, the upper class and lower class are connected through Nick. At the party, Tom represents a king using his pawns for whatever he desires. “Daisy! Daisy! Daisy!” (Fitzgerald 37) Myrtle shouted towards Tom in defiance. Tom, whose old money protects him from all consequences, breaks her nose in a short movement with his open hand. This fortifies how old money takes action without thinking of any consequence, leaving them at the top of the

Nick pursues this wealthy lifestyle with his old and new money friends. He is disillusioned and fascinated by the big houses and parties, but near the end, realizes that rich people are childish and self centered. Moving to West Egg, New York City to begin a new chapter, Nick encounters the positive and negative ways that the social classes influence each other. At the very beginning of the novel, Nick explains, “In consequence, I’m inclined to reserve all judgements” (Fitzgerald 1). A combination of carrying a nonjudgmental nature and living in a middle class permits the ability to see people for who they are. Disillusioned by the excitement from starting anew, Nick believes the upper class to be grandiose. “On week-ends his Rolls-Royce became an omnibus, bearing parties to and from the city between nine in the morning and long past midnight” (Fitzgerald 39). While Gatsby is disillusioned by Daisy, throwing parties and aiming for Daisy, Nick becomes fascinated with luxury life. It only had to take Gatsby’s life for Nick to realize what he was truly observing that