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Scott Fitzgerald's Use Of Materialism In The Great Gatsby

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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 …show more content…

Fitzgerald's initial exploration of the American Dream is inherently illusory and owning wealth never leads to ultimate happiness. Gatsby's deep desire to have Daisy for himself is revealed in the exposition of the novel when Nick narrates, “He stretched out his arms toward the dark water in a curious way, and...trembling.” (20-21). The green light is a clear symbol of Daisy, and the diction in this quotation allows the reader to understand Gatsby's true emotions. Referring to Gatsby's body as “trembling” shows that Gatsby is addicted to Daisy, as his body can not stand any second apart from her. Furthermore, the green light is on the opposite side of the lake, and no matter how close the green light may seem, it will never be in Gatsby’s grasp. This foreshadows that Gatsby may come close to being with Daisy, but will never have her forever. Moreover, when Gatsby and Daisy reconnect, he questions his happiness and satisfaction. To him, Daisy is the entity of the American Dream, but the reunion actually doesn’t fulfill his true goal. This reinforces the theme, by proving that the American dream is not the key to happiness. Therefore, the use of symbolism through cars and the green light strengthens the theme, the disintegration of the

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