Examples Of Materialism In The Great Gatsby

In The Great Gatsby by F. Scott Fitzgerald, wealth and the pursuit of it is a big part of the American Dream. The need to possess wealth and tangible goods is known as materialism. Jay Gatsby and Daisy Buchanan are both materialistic people who put a lot of value in wealth and the possession of impressive commodities meanwhile, Nick Carraway is a character that does not display his wealth. Wealth and having an elite status in society are at the root of Gatsby’s materialistic desires. He admires Daisy because she embodies wealth and the glorified lifestyle that many desire to have. On another note, Daisy amounts to be a character that shows the ultimate materialistic lifestyle. She does not have the same desires to possess this rich lifestyle because she was born into a

One reason for Gatsby’s desire for wealth comes from from his desire to be with Daisy. He believes that if he is wealthy he will ultimately become more attractive to Daisy. Gatsby thinks Daisy will love him once again if he is bathed by his wealth just as she is. Also, Gatsby’s obsession over Daisy rises from her look as a wealthy woman. For Gatsby, Daisy symbolizes the most elite way of life, that everyone seems to desire, but mostly a dream that Gatsby has been pursuing for a long time. Daisy values possessions so highly to the point that Gatsby tries to show off his belongings with the intention of getting Daisy back, and it seems to work well. In chapter 5, Gatsby insists showing off his mansion by buying one next to Daisy. He also tries to be impressive about the features that the home has. He says the “house looks well doesn’t it?”(89), and asks if people can see “how the whole front of it catches the light?”(89). Gatsby proves that he values his possessions and also wants others to value them equally, if not more than he does, especially