society Gatsby and grapes

• overall argument 


  Both Fitzgerald and Steinbeck argue that the functioning of society has become fragmented. Fitzgerald criticised America's society as he argues that society is not functioning properly as it is working for some people but not for all people and Fitzgerald disputes that society should work for everybody. Steinbeck criticises America on how profit and money is valued more than humanity.
• Gatsby 1 - tom and Georges interaction (poor compared to rich)


  tom "he talks coldly" "stuttering" from George to show he's frightened "he sure takes his time"- interrupts the hierarchy
• Gatsby 1 critic 


  Milgate "Fitzgerald clearly perceived the existence of an American class - system dominated by the power of money" Vonnegut "a handful of rapacious citizens have come to control all that was worth controlling in America"
• Gatsby 2 - Georges death 


  he doesn't have a big description of his death which shows his lack of value and worth to society due to his class. This shows a lack of care and how he's ignored and marginalised. "Wilson was gone" "Wilsons body was a little way off in the grass" - the grass suggests his body was hidden as no one cares.
• Gatsby 2 critics 


  Le Guin "we live in capitalism. Its power seems inescapable" Michaels "the desire for a different future is the desire to belong to a different class"
• grapes 1 - car salesman 


  "used cars, good used cars" "start 'em at two hundred and work down" "can't pay a nickel over seventy-five, or there won't be enough to get to California"
• grapes 1 critic 


  parenti "the essence of capitalism is to turn nature into commodities and commodities in to capital" paterson " the grapes of wrath is a mirror of a country splintered by inerquality"
• grapes 2 - breakdown of the car 


  "a little rattle had developed in the engine" "I don't know what made her go out. I gave her plenty of oil" "the engine clattered loudly"
• grapes 2 critic

  Keough "the grapes of wrath explores various forms of class stratification and prejudice to reveal social structures based upon immoral conduct"
• Gatsby context 


  Written in 1920s. Significant class inequalities with an informed hierarchy. Economic boom led to great wealth leading to hierarchy.
• grapes context


  written in 1930s. The great depression led to inequality between class and it came to a survival of the fittest. The dust bowl had major impacts on farming leading to migration.