The wealthy lifestyles of the Buchanans and Miss Jordan have corrupted their lives morally. Their abundance of money has resulted in boredom, influencing their outlook on life and how they treat others in a self-centered manner. However, each person showcases their vanity differently. For example, Tom Buchanan holds the belief that white civilization is crumbling and will eventually be dominated by other races.
Tom’s belief in the superiority of his race and their perceived civilization is bolstered by The Rise of the Coloured Empires. He firmly believes that this book is based on scientific evidence and accurate facts, unaware of his own racist inclinations. His conviction stems from the idea that the white race, due to their greater wealth, should hold dominion over society.
Miss Baker’s behavior reflects her vanity. While riding in the car with Nick, Jordan requests special treatment because of her wealth and fame. Her statement, “They’ll keep out of my way,” suggests that other drivers will yield to her. She displays an entitled attitude, believing she owns the road. Additionally, she is hypocritical as she despises inattentive individuals despite being a reckless driver herself.
Daisy Buchanan’s vanity is evident in her words. She claimed, “I’ve been everywhere and seen everything and love everything,” suggesting that she has traveled extensively and experienced all that the world has to offer. She believes that her experiences make her capable of solving the world’s problems and surpassing others’ knowledge. While her wealth has allowed her to visit extraordinary places, it has also resulted in boredom. She has become complacent with her riches and now has an abundance of free time.
Money has provided the Buchanans and Miss Baker with all of their desires and enhanced their lives and lifestyles. However, it has also made them haughty towards others. Their riches have exposed their vanity to the rest of the world.
