Examples Of Materialism In The Great Gatsby

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The Great Gatsby, written by F. Scott Fitzgerald, is a classic novel set in New York during the Jazz Age. The book depicts the theme of the ‘American dream’ and the harsh realities that come with it. It illustrates the Roaring Twenties through the eyes of narrator Nick Carraway who also outlines the perspectives of Jay Gatsby, an enigmatic millionaire with a passionate desire to reunite with his one true love, Daisy Buchanan. Daisy is a very complex character that portrays materialistic, cynical, and deceptive traits. Daisy is the cousin of Nick Carraway and the wife of Tom. She is described as beautiful, sophisticated, & lavish with the aura of perfection. However, when more viewpoints of Daisy are revealed, she is seen as highly materialistic. The …show more content…

As the book mentions, “She wanted her life shaped immediately- and the decision must be made by some force- of love, of money- that was close at hand. That force took shape with the arrival of “Tom Buchanan” (Fitzgerald 151). This quote highlights Daisy's greediness & her need for a luxurious lifestyle. Aside from her materialistic manner, Daisy carries a cynical mindset throughout the story. Daisy has accepted the idea that, in this society, women can only achieve such a lifestyle by marrying wealth. This specific time period had a harsh gender inequality so the path to wealth, she believes, is reserved for men, leaving women to live a life that seems limited. This is a reality she fears for her daughter, becoming cynical about the truth. Because of this, she quotes “I woke up and asked the nurse if it was a boy or girl. She told me she was a girl. I said ‘I'm glad, and I hope she’ll be a fool- that’s the best thing a girl can be in this world, a beautiful little fool” (Fitzgerald 17). Daisy was implying that instead of challenging the standards set, becoming oblivious to the truth can make somebody well-liked instead of

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