Role Of Materialism In The Great Gatsby

“‘I’m glad it’s a girl and I hope she’ll be a fool - that’s the best thing a girl can be in this world, a beautiful little fool’”. This is a very vivid quote written by F. Scott Fitzgerald that helps identify one of the many themes in his book The Great Gatsby. This specific quote speaks of the topic I will be addressing which is money and materialism. This theme takes shape and form in many different ways and through different people throughout the book, and is shown through Fitzgerald’s characters Myrtle, Daisy, and Tom.

Materialistic possessions became the center of popularity in the 1920’s, life became all about who could get the most Women and throw the biggest party. These materialistic items were used to acquire other non materialistic things such as love and social status. These goals were often unattainable, specifically for three characters in F. Scott Fitzgerald's’, The Great Gatsby. Love and social status were the unattainable dreams of Myrtle, the status driven cheater; Wilson, the shooter; and Gatsby; the Daisy craving self-made millionaire.

Aside from Gatsby, Fitzgerald also alludes to cracks in the American dream with a rich use of symbolism throughout the book. Nowhere is it more prevalent than in the desolate Valley of Ashes--a dusty wasteland located in between Manhattan and the two Eggs. Overlooking the valley is the iconic billboard of Doctor T.J. Eckleberg. According to Professor Bryant Mangum of the Virginia Commonwealth University, “The eyes of T.J. Eckleburg ‘brood on over the solemn dumping ground,’ which is the wasteland that America has become, and their empty gaze is there at crucial moments such as that of Tom's visit to [Myrtle Wilson] before and after her death, a reminder that God has been replaced by fading signs of American materialism” (Mangum, “THE GREAT GATSBY”).

" We are living in a material world." This famous line in one of Madonna's songs entitled "Material Girl" will never outgrow itself. Ever since the beginnings of monetary means, the main focus of living is getting more money and to be as successful as possible. This became a huge issue during the 1920's. In this era, people made money from the stock market, illegal bootlegging and so forth. With these people hitting the jackpot, this then created a new rank called `new money'. This rank, however, never overpowered `old money' the most wealthiest, well-known and respected class. The possession of material wealth however, can't bring true happiness. Love is an important factor in this equation; when you don't have love, it is hard to say

Over generations, America’s materialistic ways have ultimately snowballed, creating a society in which hard work and virtue are no longer valued. Instead of focusing on earning the things they want, Americans have cared more about conforming to the people around them, and even trying to one-up them. This common practice of trying to surpass the next person has resulted in a snowball effect, which is displayed through James Twitchell's report that “The average American consumes twice as many goods and services as in 1950; in fact, the poorest fifth of the current population buys more than the average fifth did in 1955” (16). This report encapsulates what has occured throughout American society for generations. As each generation’s focus on material

In The Great Gatsby, Fitzgerald’s use of exposition to illustrate the superficiality and flaws within Gatsby and Daisy conveys his disapproval with classism, and the letter to his daughter extends his hope for societal reform. When Gatsby insists that Daisy leave Tom to marry him, Daisy firmly postulates, “Rich girls don’t marry poor boys” (Coppola). Fitzgerald elucidates the social stratification in West Egg through Daisy’s love for materialistic items and her reluctance to marry Gatsby. Daisy is a token of the social trend to gain material and represents the twentieth century misconception

“Money Changes Everything” by Cyndi Lauper illustrates the way people center their desires on material things such as money. The speaker in the song leaves the poor man, solely because he does not have money, for the affluent one: “I’m leaving you tonight…There was one thing we weren’t really thinking of and that’s money” (Lauper 1, 6-7). Like Cyndi Lauper, F. Scott Fitzgerald demonstrates the way people often center their desires on material things such as money in The Great Gatsby. Daisy falls in love with Gatsby, who is a poor man at the time, and when Gatsby leaves for the war, Daisy marries Tom Buchanan, who is a rich man, because he is “old money,” meaning he will always have the money and status to support Daisy. When Gatsby returns

“Life, Liberty and the Pursuit of Happiness" is one of the most influential and famous phrases in the United State’s Declaration of Independence. The Declaration of Independence encapsulates the original conception of the American Dream – the notion that every individual, regardless of their social upbringing, could have the opportunity to reach their full potential and live a comfortable lifestyle. F. Scott Fitzgerald’s The Great Gatsby takes place during the early 1920s--a time period that demonstrates the pursuit of happiness, opportunity, freedom, equality and finally the American Dream. Myrtle Wilson, a significant character in The Great Gatsby, tries to pursue

“The Great Gatsby” in Today's Society After many years, F. Scott Fitzgerald wrote what we consider the great American novel. “The Great Gatsby” is still taught in classrooms almost a century later; but why? Taking place in the Roaring 20’s, society was much different than the lifestyles we are used to today. Extravagant parties, drugs, and riches keep the reader interested, but it is difficult for the majority of readers to relate to such a flamboyant lifestyle. This was a time period of change and excitement, while today we are very accustomed to our way of life.

     America has been labeled "The land of opportunity," a place where it is possible to accomplish anything and everything. This state of mind is known as "The American Dream." The American Dream provides a sense of hope and faith that looks forward to the fulfillment of human wishes and desires. This dream, however, originates from a desire for spiritual and material improvement. Unfortunately, the acquisition of material has been tied together with happiness in America. Although "The American Dream" can be thought of as a positive motivation, it often causes people to strive for material perfection, rather than a spiritual one. This has

In the American Classic, The Great Gatsby, embodies the Theme of the American Dream. The American Dream is defined as someone starting low on the economic or social level, and working hard towards prosperity and or wealth and fame. This book is the ultimate critique of the American Dream which criticized the ideology that anyone in America can rise in status with enough hard work, but only if you are getting money illegitimately. He tries to communicate that the American Dream is simply an illusion, that is idealist and unreal and that it ends up being more about materialism and selfish pursuit of pleasure. He conveys that no amount of hard work can achieve the amount of wealth that people like Gatsby have.

The Great Gatsby analytical essay key theme. Money and Materialism. The Great Gatsby is a book based in the roaring 20s, when money and material items are very popular. If you live in a huge mansion then you're seen as very powerful, happiness comes from owned item and money and that's it, at the time that's all people cared about so that's all people worked hard to get.

The Great Gatsby does not offer a definition of love, or a contrast between love and romance. Rather it suggests that what people believe to be love is normally only a dream. America in the 1920s was a country where moral values were slowly crumbling and Americans soon only had one dream and objective to achieve, success. Distorted love is one theme in the novel The Great Gatsby, present among all of the characters relationships; Daisy and Tom, Tom and Myrtle, Daisy and Gatsby, and Wilson and Myrtle, though Myrtle does not return the love. This distortion illustrates that it is not love that leads several characters to death, but lust and the materialistic possessions that really drive the characters to their lonely

As Bertrand Russell once said, “It is the preoccupation with possessions, more than anything else, that prevents us from living freely and nobly.” Indeed, in F. Scott Fitzgerald’s novel, The Great Gatsby, set during the Roaring 20s, displays the materialism of the characters through their concern to obtain more belongings. The Roaring 20s is considered as one of America’s most prosperous eras, however, Fitzgerald denounces the loss of moral values, the loss of identity, and the deception about achieving a person’s American Dream in addition to the hierarchy ruled by the rich. Thus, in The Great Gatsby, F. Scott Fitzgerald uses characterization and symbols to explore the superficial nature of the Roaring 20’s and in doing so exposes the dangers

The 1920’s were roaring. Throughout this time period, wealth in the United States doubled, leaving room for growth in an economic forum. This caused many Americans to move into the uncharted territory of the city, and make the transition into a prosperous and foreign “consumer society” (History.com). In addition, the traits of greed and materialism are ubiquitous in The Great Gatsby, as well as in the flashy 1920’s. These two characteristics give one confidence, but as demonstrated in the novel, it brings nothing but short-term satisfaction. After that, feelings of desperation to childish behaviors can accompany it. These two features have the power to seem favorable, as they serve as a temporary distraction, bringing an