The Inequality of America Past

Recently, I have been watching Mad Men, a TV series detailing the lives of prominent, white-collar men. The show takes place in the 1960s, yet the actions of the men parallel those living in the “Roaring Twenties”. This decade was filled with excitement and unconcerned spirits. Life flew by without entertaining the thought of the great problems that stained the integrity of America.  As with any influential book, Great Gatsby addresses the social issues that we failed to confront.

                Men and women were held to different standards in the early 20^th century. Men like Don Draper in Mad Men could run around indulging in evil while Betsy Draper would be severely reprimanded for doing the same. Similarly, Tom Buchanan embodies this hypocrisy. He “turned up in popular restaurants with his mistress”, openly and unashamedly embracing his adultery. Although “his acquaintances resented this fact”, they never expressed their concerns directly to Tom. Without consequences, Tom continued his behavior. Like a child who lacks any punishment for their actions, adults will not cease doing something wrong. Soon, they will see it a normal part of life.

                 When Daisy meets Gatsby, Tom responds with dismay, “evidently perturbed at Daisy’s running around alone.” Tom later fails to see that Daisy’s affair is just like his own. When he finally comes to understand the nature of her relationship with Gatsby, Tom blows up with absolute frustration and starts attacking Gatsby. Fitzgerald uses this reaction to pinpoint the failure of society to equate men and women alike. As we dismiss these actions, the structure of society becomes altered and can only be corrected by those willing to speak out.  

Instead of realizing how fortunate he was to have such a loving family with many luxuries, Don Draper just like Tom Buchanan searched without end to find “happiness”. Yet, when women sometimes did the same, it was as if men were blind to the actions they also had participated in.