What’s the Difference Between Wealth and Money?
“We’ve been saying that Myrtle’s having an affair with Tom for the money, but that has a different connotation than saying she’s having an affair with him because of his wealth,” says a blond guy in the front who’s been relatively quiet during class so far.
By “relatively quiet” I mean he’s only contributed to the class discussion of The Great Gatsby three or four times so far in the first twenty minutes of class, in addition to joining in every time the entire class offers up an answer to a question in unison. Other kids, by contrast, have contributed answers to every single question. Almost all are leaning forward in their seats eagerly.
It’s the most engaged high school class I’ve ever seen. Anywhere.
I’m at Harvard-Westlake, generally considered to be the most elite private school in Los Angeles, occupying something like 22 acres of gently rolling hills in Sherman Oaks, including two gyms, a tennis court, and a putting green and a performing arts center so complete that in addition to having two theaters and a dance studio, it also houses a roomful of electric pianos. Notable alums include Sally Ride, Eric Garcetti, Douglas Fairbanks Jr., Shirley Temple, Jason Segal and both Gyllenhaals. There is no information on the website about diversity, but admissions information is offered in Spanish, Chinese and Korean; 17% of students get some kind of financial aid toward the $34,000 annual