As we ascend the social ladder, viciousness wears a thicker mask. In America, many people are stuck dwelling in the past in hope of being able to recreate it, all while creating unsuccessful relationships because of the fact that they are too focused on the past. Looking at the world that we live in now, you will notice that everything revolves around the social ladder. People tend to always act fake and pretend to be something that they aren't, just so that they can fit in. In F. Scott Fitzgerald's novel the anticipation of your social standings tends to be the most important aspect in what you have to offer to the rest of the world. You tend to only live your life to the fullest when it has reached the highest step on the ladder. .
Most would expect that the people who spend the most time with each other would be the most important people to their lives. The way that F. Scott Fitzgerald portrays a friendship was quite different. The people during the 1920's didn't actually know what a real relationship with someone looked like. Either they were using each other for money or they were going behind each others back no one ever got what they dreamed for. Throughout the entire book friendships blossom and the characters encounter amazing memories together. But as soon as something strikes, the friendship is gone forever, and in some cases the other friend doesn't really care about what they are losing. Nick describes a moment in the book where in one split second something being said can change anything. He says, "It was all very careless and confused. They were careless people, Tom and Daisy--they smashed things and creatures and then retreated back into their money or their vast carelessness, or whatever it was that kept them together" (179). In Gatsby's time of need, none of his friends were there for him. Even Daisy who loved him and had a very good relationship with him. Nick clearly thinks very lowly about his friends, especially Tom and Daisy after Gatsby died.
