The Great Gatsby
F. Scott Fitzgerald

 "The idea is if we don't look out the white race will be - will be utterly submerged (Fitzgerald, 13)."

When Tom Buchanan spoke this quote, he epitomizes a portion of the novel setting. During the 1920s, Americans separated the African Americans and the whites. Inter-marriage was out of the question because whites deemed themselves superior. Through this quote, I obtain my first glimpse of the expectations enforced upon the society, especially the white upper class. They lived in a culture where social connections were a must have in life. For example, Nick was Daisy's "second cousin once removed (5)." Today, I am lucky to remember all of my cousins' names, much less my second cousin once removed although I do not think I have any of those. Also, in the 1920s, the United States government denied its citizens the right for alcohol consumption. I found it interesting that the denizens still partook in drinking over the simplest event.

Family tree confusion:

Oh honey no..