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Examples Of Materialism In The Great Gatsby

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F. Scott Fitzgerald's The Great Gatsby contains the typical American Dream. All luxury, partying until the day turns to dusk, and relying on money to be the answer to everything. Chasing any woman that wasn't fast enough, hoping your immense wealth will win her over. Seems like paradise, right? The underlying problem is the fact that all of this “Dream” is built on the foundation of materialism. At its core, materialism is a life without purpose and void of dreams or aspirations. Focusing on women to the point you idolize them isn't helping anyone, because it is only wasting your precious time. Just like women and money, you can't make a singular person your key to life, for without them your life is worthless and gray. While this “American Dream” seems great on paper, it’s quite the opposite when this dream comes true for you. …show more content…

Through this, we will all find purpose and content in the lives we lead. When we shift from this lifestyle, we fall to the next best thing, at least to us: Materialism. Whether its money or women, materialism is destructive to our own lives and mindset. What if our money runs dry? Or the women in our lives? You're left without a purpose in your life. Materials wither and dry up. Worldly possessions are all temporary. Therefore, it seems foolish to make a withering possession your key to life. All things considered, why do we do it? Unfortunately, while it's temporary, it satisfies us. More than anything that we've ever experienced or done. It's entertaining, popular, and fun to party every night. These things offer such reassurance and a sense of belonging, we all fall victim to materialism and its tempting

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While at sea, sailors make use of anchors to secure their ships to a fixed location. These anchors lock into the seabed and prevent the ship from shifting from strong winds and waves. But when an anchor becomes stuck in the wrong place, it weighs down the ship it was meant to ground. In F. Scott Fitzgerald’s The Great Gatsby, Jay Gatsby’s initial infatuation with his own moral advancement morphs into a dream diluted by materialism and status, which causes Gatsby’s eventual descent into obsession and instability. Early in life, Gatsby strived for moral betterment over all else.

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The Great Gatsby, written by F. Scott Fitzgerald, is a classic American literary work that transports readers to the vibrant 1920s, a period characterized by opulent social gatherings, lively jazz melodies, and, notably, the relentless pursuit of the American Dream. The American Dream, realized by the integration of wealth, plays an important role in the novel. When it comes to the theme of wealth in The Great Gatsby, it's important to understand that Fitzgerald uses it as a lens to explore the corrupting influence of materialism and the illusion of the American Dream. Throughout the story, the protagonists are motivated by their longing for riches and social standing, frequently sacrificing their own well-being and ethical principles. Fitzgerald

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