Chloe Fisher, Yasmina Kantar, Daisy Doddridge, Gabby Langston

A Marxist Analysis of Social Power and Class Struggle in “The Great Gatsby”

Baz Luhrmann's 2013 film adaptation of F. Scott Fitzgerald's "The Great Gatsby" brings to life

the classic American novel visually stunning and contemporary. While staying faithful to the

source material, the film also provides an opportunity to examine the dynamics of social power

and class struggle through a Marxist lens. This essay will explore how the movie adaptation

portrays these themes, shedding light on the complexities of a society marked by wealth,

privilege, and aspiration. Luhrmann's rendition vividly depicts the tension between the "newly

rich" and the old-money elite. Jay Gatsby, portrayed by Leonardo DiCaprio, embodies the

nouveau riche, a self-made millionaire whose extravagant parties and lavish lifestyle symbolize

his newfound wealth. Despite his riches, Gatsby remains an outsider to the old-money

aristocracy, mainly represented by Tom and Daisy Buchanan. This dynamic captures the Marxist

concept of class struggle, with Gatsby's wealth falling short of granting him acceptance into the

ranks of the entrenched upper class. Tom Buchanan, played by Joel Edgerton, exemplifies

exploitative capitalism. He is characterized by inherited privilege, a sense of entitlement, and a

condescending attitude toward those he considers beneath him. This portrayal aligns with the

Marxist critique of the capitalist class exploiting the labor and dreams of the working class.

Tom's wealth is not the result of his own efforts but rather a product of his family's legacy,

underscoring the systemic inequality inherent in capitalism. The film showcases how characters

like Daisy Buchanan (Carey Mulligan) and Myrtle Wilson (Isla Fisher) are objectified and

reduced to symbols of status and desire. Daisy, in particular, becomes an object of obsession for

both Gatsby and Tom. This objectification reflects Marxist criticism that capitalism can

transform individuals into commodities. Social power and wealth become intertwined with the
possession of people, highlighting how the capitalist system can dehumanize and objectify

individuals. Characters like George Wilson (Jason Clarke) and the attendees at Gatsby's

extravagant parties symbolize the dispossessed and the working class. George Wilson's character

embodies the struggles of the working class, barely making ends meet and ultimately suffering

due to the actions of those with more power and privilege. Their presence in the film underscores

the stark disparities in wealth and opportunity that persist in this society.

The film captures Gatsby's extravagant parties and opulent lifestyle as a façade masking his

yearning for social acceptance and love from Daisy. This illusion mirrors the false consciousness

that can affect those striving for upward mobility in a capitalist society. Gatsby's relentless

pursuit of wealth and status ultimately leads to his tragic demise, highlighting the fleeting nature

of the American Dream. Baz Luhrmann's adaptation of "The Great Gatsby" remains faithful to

the novel's exploration of social power and class struggle, making it ripe for analysis through a

Marxist lens. The film visually brings to life the stark disparities in wealth, privilege, and

aspiration, offering a modern audience a captivating portrayal of a society marked by these

inequalities. "The Great Gatsby" serves as a poignant commentary on the enduring relevance of

Marxist critiques of capitalism, inviting viewers to reflect on the complexities of class struggle in

the contemporary world.