How Does Jordan Baker Symbolize In The Great Gatsby

The recent election year debates have called attention to a main issue: economic inequality and the dying American economy. While some call for a more fair, socialist based economy, others call for a return to the chaotic, completely laissez-faire economic system of the early industrial age. There has been talk of revolution and even violence at certain rallies of a specific candidate. But where does the American citizen lie on this extreme scale? A recent study was published saying 55% of Americans believe the American Dream has died or never existed in the first place. (citation at some point) This was a shock to many who still believed one could pull themselves up by their bootstraps. But where did it all go wrong? F. Scott Fitzgerald’s
There is Jordan Baker, a symbol for imperialistic old money circles. Frequently, she is caught and even occasionally admits to lying and cheating. She drives recklessly, believing it is other people's’ duty to avoid her. This is similar to the general policy on imperialism. To lie to both native people and an official's own citizens, then steal a country’s resources, and finally blame them for their own problems. Next, there is Daisy and Tom, a loveless married couple who enjoy all of the privilege of old money, yet are still immoral and unsatisfied. They are epitome of the upper class. Tom is racist and a wife-beater meanwhile Daisy is condescending and pompous. Both of them live reckless lives, spotted with affair and crime. However, they never experience any repercussions. Fitzgerald is showing how easy their life is, yet they still wreak havoc upon the other classes. Then there is Gatsby, the essence of new money, he is all extravagance and lawlessness. The death to the American Dream really comes out in his character. He rose to the top by capitalizing on the demand for alcohol caused by prohibition. He proves that it is not hard work and determination that makes a person rich. By simply bending the rules, he succeeds. This is contrasted by working class members, Myrtle and George Wilson. George is consistently shown either exhausted or working, or even both. Yet, he is still very poor and lives in terrible conditions. Fitzgerald uses these characters as proof of an inconsistent and broken American