Ignorance In The Great Gatsby

Indictments upon Ignorance in The Great Gatsby F. Scott Fitzgerald’s The Great Gatsby is Nick Carraway’s narrative of his experiences with Jay Gatsby, his wealthy and mysterious neighbor in West Egg, Long Island. Set in 1922, a turbulent time in American history, Nick is a veteran of World War One who moved from his native Midwest to New York City to sell bonds. This novel focuses on Nick’s intense admiration for Gatsby who befriends Nick and leads him through a strange new world. In their travels, Nick and Gatsby encounter minorities and although they deal with these “Others” in a civilized manner, they regard them with condescension. The passage that embodies their beliefs about these minorities appears after they pass underneath the
After Tom talks about his “scientific” literature, Daisy ridicules him, saying how Americans “have to beat them down” referring to ethnic minorities (13). There is no character that at any point in this book commends Tom for any of his actions or efforts whatsoever. Fitzgerald is utilizing his perspective as author to turn the world against Tom Buchanan. Right after his mistress is killed, Tom’s efforts to offer help to the policeman are thwarted by a Greek man. Tom ventilates his frustration by muttering furiously, in a failing attempt of garnering the policeman’s attention. Just when the world seems as low as possible for Tom, on comes a “pale, well dressed negro,” epitomizing the hate and fear of Tom Buchanan (139). Tom Buchanan’s actions, in turn, epitomize America’s rural mindset during the 1920’s, being unable to prevent urban minorities from corrupting the predominantly white community’s values. Fitzgerald constantly places the concept of racism in his work, and through his examples, shows his own indictment upon racism. The racist white American (Tom) is disliked by all other characters, and the descriptions of minorities is too ridiculous to be considered true. Fitzgerald’s opinions mold this novel into an indictment on racism as a