迈向上流社会:新贵和贵族的角逐——解读《伟大的盖茨比》

The Struggle to the High Society:the Battle between the Newly Rich and the Aristocrats

金钱和教养在美国是衡量身份的两个最重要的标准。盖茨比借助"炫耀性浪费"来显示自己的地位,并向上流社会渗透;而以汤姆为代表的旧贵族通过占领上流社会文化,排斥、打击兴起的暴发户们。上流社会文化决定了盖茨比最终的失败。

Wealth and breeding are two measurements of rank in America. Gatsby＇s passion for Daisy is intertwined with his struggle to reach the top of the social ladder. Just like the newly riches in the second half of the 19th century, Gatsby adopted ＂Conspicuous Waste＂ as an infiltration tactic to the inner circle of the leisure class. To repel the invasion of the upstart, the American aristocrats resort to their culture. It is the culture of the high society that renders Gatsby＇s lifelong struggle futile.