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Examples Of Money In The Great Gatsby

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Ralph Waldo Emerson once said, “money often costs too much” (Berger). The world seems to revolve around money, and it often distracts people from the joys of life that bring them fulfillment. This is shown in almost every main character of The Great Gatsby by F. Scott Fitzgerald. Although on the surface the characters of The Great Gatsby seem to live glamourous and joyous lives due to the riches they have, when they are examined more closely, it is evident that their money actually does not provide them prosperity and contentment; therefore, the theme of The Great Gatsby is that money cannot buy happiness. Multiple examples prove that the theme of The Great Gatsby is that money cannot buy happiness and these examples are displayed throughout the entire novel. This theme is shown in Gatsby’s chase after Daisy, Daisy and Tom’s failure of a marriage, and it is shown when Nick is attempting to get Gatsby’s friends to attend his funeral.
Jay Gatsby seems to have anything and everything he could ever want; money, a beautiful house, and a good friend, Nick. All of the random people that go to Gatsby’s parties, although they do not know exactly who he is, envy the so-called glamorous life that he lives. But, F. Scott …show more content…

Every person that Nick attempted to get to come to Gatsby’s funeral declined; therefore, it is evident that Gatsby’s fortune bought him nothing other than the materialistic items that he did not seem to really value. Gatsby not only failed to win Daisy over with his fortune, but he also failed to make any more than one good friend who was willing to attend his funeral, which is depressing and it is quite unusual for most people to have a funeral like Gatsby’s. Unfortunately, even though Gatsby threw elaborate parties constantly, he was seemingly forgotten by everyone as soon as he passed

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