non United States folks: what do you think of The Great Gatsby?

I don’t think aspirations like that develop in wealthy societies per se, but in societies with a big wealth gap between the rich and the poor.

Like I’m from Finland but used to live in a South American country, and the middle and upper middle classes there were definitely a lot more obsessed with status than almost anyone back home. Like my ex had never worked before he graduated university because his family thought it would be demeaning to have a menial job, his family had a fancy car they never used just so they could park it in front of the house, their dad would like travel outside the country to buy everyone the newest gadgets etc. Sure there are people like that in Finland but they are perceived as embarrassing rather than something to aspire to. (I’m not trying to shit on South America btw I loved it there, but just some things I wasn’t as crazy about!)

/r/books Thread Parent