I can make a text connection that falls under both the categories of text-to-text and text-to-world. Although it is not directly addressed in the novel, we can make the assumption that Jay Gatsby had connections with Wolfshiem and the corrupt ways that they went about earning money at the time period. In the United States History book that I am reading in AP US History, we have been exploring the corrupt era of the 1900’s. I have made the connection that Gatsby and Wolfshiem’s crimes follow a corrupt version of the American dream. The two pursue wealth and greatness, but they do this by selling illegal alcohol and presumably perform many other illegal tasks. This is very similar to the period that I am learning about (and also around the same time frame), as there were many people and corporations that greedily came into large sums of money by performing illegal activities and remaining virtually un-checked by their government. Both Gatsby’s plot and the history of men, such as Boss Tweed, hold a striking significance in their connections.
Well said, and with a legitimate idea that pertains to the book. As it stands, the historical time frame for the novel is, perhaps, one of the defining traits. With the cut-throat world of the 1920's as it was, a story of unfulfilled dreams and crime captures its essence perfectly. Indeed, with a quick glance at the time period, your point becomes clear, with Gatsby acting as a mirror to some criminals of the time. Quite a good connection.
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