Gatsby got destroyed because his wealth was from prohibition (the wrong way to make money), and didn't gain him the respect he wanted, nor was it sufficient to

Gatsby got destroyed because his wealth was from prohibition (the wrong way to make money), and didn't gain him the respect he wanted, nor was it sufficient to gain the respect of the woman Gatsby was chasing. The 1920s classic novel is about the core of the Gilded age. Money is better than not money, but the issue with the 'money' was the incredibly fake culture you needed to achieve money quickly. Doubly so during the original roaring 1920s, prohibition and the rise of criminal gangs and organized crime. Anyone who did make money (new money) would be naturally distrusted by the old money, who had other ideas of how money should have been made. The main character of Gatsby (the narrator, Gatsby's friend and point of view for the novel) is similarly upper class and comfortable. Just not as wildly rich as Gatsby. It's not that money corrupts you or whatever. The actual book is a good analysis into money and it's place in society. Those who chase money when they 'should' have been chasing popularity or other shallow needs are going to be disappointed. ----------- There are certain modern 2025 analogies to the Gatsby book and concept. It does feel like we are in a fake Gilded age again after all.