When I was reading the Great Gatsby by Fitzgerald this weekend, I noticed all the different things used to characterize great wealth and affluence, as well as the different levels of it. For example, the narrator, Nick, talks a lot about his home in the West egg. Although he appears quite wealthy, he describes the neighborhood as what we would call "striking it rich", and therefore looked down upon by the more affluent East egg. People who live there, such Nick's cousin Daisy and her extremely wealthy husband Tom Buchanon, look down upon the West egg because they have come unto money by inheritance, the much more respectable way in the 1920's.
This made me think a lot about how much attitudes regarding affluence have changed throughout the years. In the 20's the old money way was simply viewed upon as better in society, and those who came upon it on their own were just lucky and undeserving of the same lifestyle. However, in modern times it is truly the self made man who earns respect. The "American Dream" has become to earn a living on your own, and it has even gone so far as to be more respectable to come from a difficult background growing up. Society also views people who have inherited money, such as Paris Hilton, as silly and ridiculous. It's so interesting how much views have changed, and so difficult to say if it will continue to stay this way far into the future.
