The characters in The Great Gatsby take a materialistic attitude that causes them to fall into a downward spiral of empty hope and zealous obsession. This is a novel about what happens to the American dream in the 1920’s, a period when the old values that give substance to the dream are corrupted by the vulgar pursuit of wealth. The Great Gatsby demonstrates the way the materialistic desire for wealth negatively affects both Daisy and Gatsby, which warns Fitzgerald’s audience of the dangers of materialism. Myrtle, unlike Daisy and Tom, was not born into money, and instead is relying on her little tricks to achieve obsessively wealthy lifestyle. The novel is transformed from a story of a small group of people at a moment in time to a portrait of an entire nation. He criticizes the corruption of the American dream. Materialism is defined as the devotion to material wealth and possessions at the cost of spiritual or intellectual principles. Fitzgerald ses the word grail to suggest that for Gatsby, marrying Daisy is a type of a religious quest. Placing Nick as an observer, Fitzgerald is able to successfully show the reader how foolish it is to value material items over spirituality. It effects their personality in a way that they place themselves above and scrutinize others, while they live greedy and selfish lives. The Great Gatsby, by F. Scott Fitzgerald chronicles the vapid, materialistic lives of the upper class of Long Island during the booming times of the Jazz Age. They’re a rotten crowd,’? In F. Scott Fitzgerald’s The Great Gatsby the characters are all engulfed in the world of materialism, and believe that that is what makes them happy. In the 1920s many Americans began using credit, and buying and becoming very materialistic, and losing their spirit and identity. Books Education Literature Reading The Great Gatsby < (2 of 2) Next argument > The Argument. Daisy, perhaps, is not a fool, but her environment requires her to play that role; most of the time she pretends to be imbecilic, in order to fit into this cruel and unequal world. Fitzgerald reveals it by illustrating the weak moral code, the distorted reality, and the plutomaniac nature of human beings that money elaborates on. GradesFixer.com uses cookies. Abstract : The Great Gatsby reflects the mood of glamour and wild ecstasy of the times of the 1920s in the American society up to a level which apparently, will never be realized again. Gatsby becomes wealthy so he can buy items (such as a mansion, car, and large … If you fit this description, you can use our free essay samples to generate ideas, get inspired and figure out a title or outline for your paper. This state of mind is known as “The American Dream. In the opening pages, Nick establishes himself as someone who has had many advantages in life—a wealthy family and an Ivy League education to name just two. Fitzgerald contrasts Jay Gatsby and Nick Carraway to display how the materialistic attitude of the 1920’s leads many to hopeless depression and how materialism never constitutes happiness. But there is a danger for Gatsby in this redeeming purposefulness. Daisy captured a strong, and incurable disease that the society is willing to spread — craving for wealth . In The Great Gatsby, F. Scott Fitzgerald shows his disapproval of the times by portraying characters attempting to achieve their American Dream by any means possible. Nick’s final thoughts are stated at the end of the novel where the story is summed up. In this situation, Fitzgerald emphasizes that Myrtle’s marriage wasn’t something she expected it to be. He is now rid of Tom and the world Tom represents, and can return to a world of principles and traditions in the Midwest. In fact, The Great Gatsby’s central theme tells us that materialism is the main source of moral downfall, distorted reality, and the society’s plutomania. The “Great Gatsby” was published in 1925 and was set in the ‘Roaring Twenties’. The author F. Scott Fitzgerald portrays the flourish of success, as well as the sudden rise of materialism through the lives of Jay Gatsby, Tom and Daisy Buchanan in his novel The Great Gatsby. This state of perfection that people so desperately want to achieve is the very reason why American society is dysfunctional. Fitzgerald contrasts Jay Gatsby and Nick Carraway to display how the materialistic attitude of the 1920’s leads many to hopeless depression and how materialism never constitutes happiness. ” Christopher Darlington Morley (1890-1957). Gatsby’s deficiencies of intelligence and judgment bring him to his tragic death? It is shameful that this country is built with such hope and positive motivation, but that the dark side of humanity turns it into such a selfish country. 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. People everywhere regarding color, religion or nationality are materialist whether they accept it or not. “They were careless people, Tom and Daisy—they smashed up things and creatures and then retreated back into their money or their vast carelessness or whatever it was that kept them together, and let other people clean up the mess they had made. This has been a truth since the beginnings of America, such as the setting of F. Scott Fitzgerald’s novel, The Great Gatsby, which is an example of this set in the 20’s. famously known as the Roaring Twenties, was a time of great economic and social growth in America. The characters in the novel do not work, and live solely for the purpose of amassing their wealth, recklessly indulging themselves, and displaying their affluence. Want us to write one just for you? Fitzgerald, through the character of Daisy, emphasizes that the society doesn’t value intelligence and realistic views of anyone; instead, to fully adapt to the society’s norms, folkways, and values, an individual needs to be ignorant and materialistic. The average student has to read dozens of books per year. This dumping ground is half way between West Egg and New York. GradesFixer. Indeed he loves Daisy, but through his fantasy he builds her up to be someone she is not. This material is available only on Freebooksummary, We use cookies to give you the best experience possible. Fitzgerald evidently shows us that Daisy’s reality is nothing but money and wealth; she is not capable of changing because she is satisfied with her high social status and all the pleasures that she, herself, enjoys. Fitzgerald creates many parallels between the lives of those … For although this novel captures the romance and glitter of “The Jazz Age”, it is more fundamentally a sad story? I can accept that I am materialist. Nick’s admiration is exposed through his description of the car. All the characters in this novel are caught up in materialism except for one, Nick Carraway, the narrator and the observer. “Materialism - a tendency to consider material possessions and physical comfort as more important than spiritual values” (google definition). Daisy is portrayed as a materialistic, ignorant, and somewhat selfish human being, aiming to satisfy her mercantile desires by concentrating on the external pleasures. 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. Despite not being as wealthy as Tom and Daisy, his second cousin, they see him as enough of a peer to invite him to their home in Chapter 1. The author F. Scott Fitzgerald portrays the flourish of success, as well as the sudden rise of materialism through the lives of Jay Gatsby, Tom and Daisy Buchanan in his novel The Great Gatsby. This famous line in one of Madonna's songs entitled "Material Girl" will never outgrow itself. People's relationships, emotions, successes and pride all revolve around money. Through the theme of corruptive wealth, Fitzgerald evidently shows us… that money corrupts an individual, and therefore, the society in its entirety. Nick will also always know the importance of human beings in his life; and not material things. The mythic’ embodiment of the American Dream? “Her laughter, her gestures, her assertions became more violently affected moment by moment and as she expanded the room grew smaller around her until she seemed to be revolving on a noisy, creaking pivot through the smoky air “ (2.56). There was a ripe mystery about it, a hint of bedrooms upstairs more beautiful and cool then the other bedrooms? Things like love and relating to another human being is completely overlooked in the pursuit of power and a very showy, but fundamentally empty form of success. . But she and Tom had gone away early that afternoon, and taken baggage with them.”. Fitzgerald introduces a place by the name of “The Valley of Ashes”. She lives in a tiny and comfortable world, ignoring everything that doesn’t meet her distorted expectations. Materialism- the pursuit of possessions/buying things just for the sake of buying them. This is not an example of the work written by professional essay writers. Tom, Daisy, Jordan,-they belong to the “rotten crowd” because they are selfish, materialistic, and cruel. This was a glamorous decade marked by cultural, artistic and social developments, but it was brought to an end by the Wall Street Crash of 1929, which triggered the Great Depression of the 1930s. Nick Carraway comments, “There must have been moments when Daisy tumbled short of his dreams, not through her own fault, but because of the colossal vitality of his illusion”, yet he refuses to acknowledge these moments” (101). We clearly see that this marriage indicates no spiritual and moral value; instead, this relationship can be defined as a marriage of convenience and demonstrative wealth. materialism in The Great Gatsby essaysThe Great Gatsby, by F. Scott Fitzgerald chronicles the vapid, materialistic lives of the upper class of Long Island during the booming times of the Jazz Age. . It was full of money – that was the inexhaustible charm that rose and fell in it, the jingle of it, the cymbals song of it…”(7.120). The Theme of Materialism in The Great Gatsby, a Novel by F. Scott Fitzgerald “They were careless folks, Tom and Daisy—they smashed up issues and creatures and then retreated back into their funds or their vast carelessness or whatever it was that kept them with each other, and let other people clean up the mess they had made. Everybody had seen it. Remember: This is just a sample from a fellow student. The characters in this novel are too fixed on material things, losing sight of what is really important. In the 1920s, America became very prosperous as the country recovered from World War I. Students who find writing to be a difficult task. Lost in his idealistic world, he molds his images of her into a perfect specimen. Gatsby is much more in love with the idea of Daisy, not the reality of who she is. 2021 © gradesfixer.com. It is a book about America, its promise, and the betrayal of that promise. Achieving the American dream actually means becoming wealthy and flaunting your possessions. Money and materialism are the driving forces that affect people's decisions. Nick realizes that Gatsby is better than them because of his total dedication to a dream. If you’d like this or any other sample, we’ll happily email it to you. You can get 100% plagiarism FREE essay in 30sec, Sorry, we cannot unicalize this essay. Daisy’s decisions are influenced by her desire for money rather than by her love for Gatsby, who makes her truly happy, and as a result, her life becomes chaotic. This is a very special moment where Nick reveals to the reader that although he disapproves of Gatsby’s materialism, his tasteless pink suits, his love of a woman as shallow as Daisy, and his pathetic efforts to win her back by showing off what he has rather than who he is? “Only Gatsby, the man who gives his name to this book, was exempt from my reaction—Gatsby who represented everything for which I have an unaffected scorn” (1.4). He does not want to become that way himself. Daisy’s words, actions, and feelings exemplify how her materialistic … Fitzgerald uses this slum as an example of the failure of the American Dream. In fact, The Great Gatsby’s central theme tells us that materialism is the main source of moral downfall, distorted reality, and the society’s plutomania. Yet, truthfully, Daisy herself is not the key, but the increase in status that she would bring him and the illusion that she carries with her. F. Scott Fitzgerald clearly uses Jay Gatsby to represent the materialistic attitude of the 1920’s. Indeed, a second example of the Buchanan family’s morality resignation is vividly shown after the protagonist, Jay Gatsby, dies: ”I called up Daisy half an hour after we found him, called her instinctively and without hesitation. The characters in the novel do not work, and live solely for the purpose of amassing their wealth, reck this essay is not unique. By continuing we’ll assume you board with our cookie policy. People always seem to agree that money does not buy happiness. Society is so worried about being the best, people surpass pure happiness. “I’d seen it. . Right before Gatsby is killed, Nick says goodbye to him, turns to walk away, then pauses, turns back and shouts “. The Great Gatsby Materialism Analysis 729 Words | 3 Pages. Materialism In The Great Gatsby By F. Scott Fitzgerald famously known as the Roaring Twenties, was a time of great economic and social growth in America. In his novel The Great Gatsby, F. Scott Fitzgerald, conveyed his belief that wealth and materialism corrupted the American Dream. This essay has been submitted by a student. At night her moonlit figure is seen on the shore by the fisherman across the waters. Materialism And American Dream In F. Scott. They do not have spiritual values or compassion. The Great Gatsby: An Analysis. This was a glamorous decade marked by cultural, artistic and social developments, but it was brought to an end by the Wall Street Crash of 1929, which triggered the Great Depression of … America, the land of opportunity, has unfortunately turned into an economic battle. Even though Tom and Daisy were clearly portrayed as unbounded with moral standards throughout the story, their abominable essence, along with “vast carelessness” is finally revealed. By constructing a story in which we clearly see the consequences of materialism, Fitzgerald leads us to conclusion that money in The Great Gatsby is the ultimate source of suffering and rottenness in our lives. Nick's connection to Daisy in turn makes him attractive to Gatsby. “He had thrown himself into it [the dream] decking it out with every bright feather that drifted his way” (101). In fact, The Great Gatsby’s central theme tells us that materialism is the main source of moral downfall, distorted reality, and the society’s plutomania. Their toxic union is crucial to both of them, since it bestows their old money status and bring a distorted sense of stability into their lives. Not only she blindly conforms to the tyrannical rule of the society, but also seems to enjoy it: “ Her voice is full of money… That was it. Materialism In The Great Gatsby Analysis 1332 Words | 6 Pages. This dream, however, originates from a desire for spiritual and material improvement. Below: Sorry, we ’ ll assume you materialism in the great gatsby with our cookie policy belief wealth... They live greedy and selfish lives you agree to our Terms of service and Privacy statement professional essay writers desperately. 2 of 2 ) Next argument > the argument could enjoy the benefits of his wealth “ ”. S disgust towards money and power so she could enjoy the benefits of his.... Pure and noble about it, a hint of bedrooms upstairs more beautiful and cool then the other?. 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