The Role Of Materialism In The Great Gatsby

Words: 671
Pages: 3
Open Document
Notwithstanding Daisy’s twisted relationship with her husband Tom, his destructiveness never surpasses verbal abuse. Under these circumstances, Daisy never attempts to defend herself or go against Tom’s demands. Daisy has merely accepted the fact that this is simply part of her marriage to Tom and does not fight it. As an illustration Tom controls Daisy in front of a crowd “ ‘Come on Daisy’ Tom said pressing her hand with his hand towards Gatsby’s car. ‘I’ll take you in this circus wagon.’ He opened the door but she moved out from the circle of his arm...she walked close to Gatsby touching his coat with her hand” (Fitzgerald 121). Equally important Tom abuses his mistress Myrtle physically while exemplifying various acts of violence towards …show more content…
Gatsby demonstrates great means of love for Daisy, however she continuously refuses marriage as he is financially incapable of meeting her needs. Daisy has little to no perception on a healthy marriage as Gatsby yells at Tom “ ‘She only married you because I was poor and she was tired of waiting for me. It was a terrible mistake but in her heart she never loved anyone except for me’” (Fitzgerald 127). The women’s addiction to materialism is extremely evident when connected with Gatsby. Daisy demonstrates her obsession with a materialistic lifestyle as she discovers Gatsby’s closet filled with luxurious and expensive clothes. Daisy immediately becomes fascinated with Gatsby’s clothing, “Suddenly, with a strained sound, Daisy bent her head into the shirts and began to cry stormily. ‘They're such beautiful shirts,’ she sobbed, her voice muffled in the thick folds. ‘It makes me sad because I've never seen such – such beautiful shirts before’” (Fitzgerald 89). Daisy’s obsession with materialistic items and money has grown as she is exposed to the glamourous things money can buy. As Daisy cries into Gatsby’s shirts, it becomes evident that her only source of happiness ultimately comes from money and having materialistic items, regardless of the
Show More

Related Documents: The Role Of Materialism In The Great Gatsby

Gatsby Essay

Hansen U.S Literature 25 November 2014 The role of love in The Great Gatsby “The truth about love is all a lie,” as the pop artist Pink would put it. The Great Gatsby, by F. Scott Fitzgerald, is set in the roaring twenties. It follows a man named Jay Gatsby who’s one goal in life is to be reunited with the love of his life, Daisy Buchanan. Nick Carraway, the protagonist and narrator moves into a humble home neighboring Gatsby’s mansion. Across the bay from Gatsby, Daisy and her husband Tom live in their…

Words 912 - Pages 4

Should The Great Gatsby Be Taught In School

In F. Scott Fitzgerald’s classic novel, The Great Gatsby depicts the American life during the Roaring Twenties. Wealth and materialism played a big role during that time period and in the story of The Great Gatsby. The lifestyles of the characters in the novel differ from each other; it depended on how wealthy they were and what status they are. The novel touches upon social issues and the effects of being from a certain social class. The Great Gatsby written by F. Scott Fitzgerald should be taught…

Words 518 - Pages 3

The American Dream In The Great Gatsby

decades have risked everything to achieve. In his novel The Great Gatsby F. Scott Fitzgerald manages to define and condemn the American dream to show that the acquisition of wealth and prosperity can lure the criminal to even the most innocent of minds to do the unimaginable. In The Great Gatsby, wealth is a common factor in deciding where a character stands in the world and how they are perceived by those around them. The character of Jay Gatsby is presented throughout the novel for lone purpose of trying…

Words 493 - Pages 2

The Three Essay

The American Dream Since the founding of The United States, many have dreamed of coming to this great land to escape tyranny, persecution, and oppression. Over time, this desire has turned into The American Dream. The American Dream is different to everyone, and many authors express this dream through their novels. The Great Gatsby, Death of a Salesman, and The Catcher in the Rye all expose the faults of the stereotypical American Dream that success, material possessions, and unrealistic ideals will…

Words 1531 - Pages 7

How Is Daisy Wilson Portrayed In The Great Gatsby

In The Great Gatsby, F. Scott Fitzgerald’s criticism of women in the 1920s is portrayed by the female characters, Daisy, Jordan, and Myrtle. Daisy Buchanan grew up wealthy and is described as being extremely charming. She was in love with Jay Gatsby before the war, but she married her husband, Tom Buchanan, because he had money. She is depicted as being materialistic, shallow, and immoral throughout the novel. Daisy is cheating on her husband with Gatsby, awed by Gatsby’s status and wealth. Jordan…

Words 514 - Pages 3

The Great Gatsby Essay

The Great Gatsby: Did Money Kill the Great? Many people claim that The Great Gatsby is the quintessential American novel. This is due to the reoccurring theme of the book of the rise and fall of the American dream. The book is very significant because of its relation to the time period in which it was written and the actual events that were taking place in the world in and around the 1920's. This period was called the "Roaring 20's" because of the economy at the time was through…

Words 2054 - Pages 9

Character Analysis The Great Gatsby

The Great Gatsby begins with Nick Carraway stating that he learned to reserve judgement about other people because he will misunderstand them if he holds them to his standards from his father. Gatsby, the hero of the story, represents everything he doesn’t believe in. Nick excludes Gatsby from his usual judgments because his personality is appealing to him. In 1922, Nick arrived in New York for business. Unlike East Egg, where he moved from, West Egg is home to the new rich. Those who live there…

Words 1405 - Pages 6

Why Is Happiness Important In The Great Gatsby

could bring them happiness. Because of this mentality, excess materialism was widely rampant during this decade, due to a rise in mass consumerism and a post-war economic boom that seemed to have no limits on its prosperity. Being wealthy didn’t just come with being able to possess a lot of material goods; it also helped to elevate one’s social status. The Great Gatsby by F. Scott Fitzgerald captures the importance of how wealth plays a role in people’s motivations to be happy, during this time period…

Words 723 - Pages 3

F. Scott Fitzgerald and Gatsby Essay

beginning of F. Scott Fitzgerald’s novel, The Great Gatsby, the reader did not originally expect his death. With a perfect, “rare” smile, and tremendous wealth, what could go wrong? Before Jay Gatsby expires, he was en route to achieving his version of the American dream. The reader discovers that Gatsby did not have it easy, for outside forces prevented him from ever attaining his dream. All of the “foul dust [that] floated in the wake of his dreams” defeated Gatsby before he could get there (2). Like many…

Words 1495 - Pages 6

F. Scott Fitzgerald's The Great Gatsby A Tragic Hero

Greed is a curse and is not for cowards. In F. Scott Fitzgerald's novel, The Great Gatsby, the character Jay Gatsby is neither a tragic hero nor a hero at all. He barely exists as a character. Jay Gatsby is not a tragic hero because of his outlandish behaviors and actions that was done throughout the book that contradicts the role and characteristic of a hero. According to the AP Language on Tragedy and Tragic Flaw/Hero, a tragic hero is a hero “who may bring about his or her own downfall because…

Words 909 - Pages 4