Examples Of Materialism In The Great Gatsby

In The Great Gatsby written by F. Scott Fitzgerald, the author presents the American dream throughout a male character in literature. This character is Jay Gatsby, who is a person that wants to pursue the American Dream. Moreover, some people believe that reaching the American dream is the culmination of a successful life; anyone regardless of class or gender can succeed in America. The Great Gatsby portrays the American dream in the person of Jay Gatsby and so the desire for conquering dreams and wealth are present in the 1920’s.

First of all, Gatsby represents the American Dreams as a person who wants to be successful, wealthy, and powerful. Clearly, Gatsby believes that with money anything is possible, and so he can to buy his happiness. Gatsby's American Dream is not material possessions, although it may seem that way. He only desires to be successful and powerful so that he can fulfill his true dream – marry Daisy and live a wealthy life. Gatsby’s first name is James Gatz, He comes from a poor family and he wants to be successful and wealthy, James has a dream and hopes to achieve Gatsby. However, He changes his name to Jay Gatsby “James Gatz – that was really, or at

least, his name, He had changed it at the age of seventeen and at the specific moment that witnessed the beginning of his career” (Fitzgerald, 104), clearly, the change of name is the reflection of his new life – the beginning of a successful life; seeking and fulfilling his American Dream.
On the other hand, many people think that America is the land of opportunities and so to achieve their goals by hard working. For instant, Immigrants come to The United States to achieve their dreams, some people come for obtaining political freedom, also some people pursue education and others just want to make money, all these ideas can be achieve in America. Certainly, America is seen as a symbol of hope, the ideal life, and a future full of opportunity, “ anything can happen now that we’ve slid over this bridge, I thought; anything at all… Even Gatsby could happen, without any particular” (Fitzgerald, 17), indeed people at the time sees America as a land to pursue their dreams and make them come to life. However, Gatsby lives solely for this green light, which gives him a sense of identity and purpose. Furthermore, In the article “U.S.A, land of limitation?” written by Nicholas Kristof, it addresses the opinion of the Senator Marco Rubio, who states “ Land of Opportunity”, meaning America is indeed the land of opportunities for anyone who desires to have a better life and is committed to succeed in this land. In the novel, Jay Gatsby overcomes his poor past to gain an incredible amount of money, and so conquer part of his American Dream, still Daisy is missing.
In the novel, the narrator reveals the shallowness of American materialism in 1920’s.

For instance, Daisy does not love neither one of them and she marries Tom because he wealthy, he earns old money in East Egg also she wants Gatsby because he becomes rich – new money in West Egg. In 1920’s due to WWI people do not earn that much money, people are financial unstable, and so people want to have quick money; Gatsby has hope and he achieve it. Gatsby comes from a poor family and suddenly he becomes wealthy from illegal activities, He achieves his dream and he spends his money in the parties with the purpose to attract Daisy. Gatsby owns wealth but he says that everything he does and owns is because of Daisy; He does not just wants her back, but he wants her feeling love towards him back as

well.
Certainly, The Great Gatsby is a tragic love story but it is most commonly understood as the introduction of the meaning American Dream in Literature. In the novel, Jay Gatsby overcomes his poor past to gain an incredible amount of money and a limited amount of social cache in 1920’s, only to be rejected by the “old money” crowd. Daisy has been pressured to reject Jay Gatsby back during the war since he is a soldier, and short of money. Daisy comes from old money, and does not see Gatsby as a suitable mate for her solely on his monetary status. However, now that Gatsby’s ‘all grown up’ and rich, Daisy suddenly loves him again. Daisy falls for the same shallowness that Gatsby does. She does not love Gatsby, however she does love him for his money.