Wealth In The Great Gatsby By F. Scott Fitzgerald

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“Wealth is the ability to truly experience life” (Thoreau) Thoreau perspective symbolizes the views of the upper class during the 1920’s and the overall belief that money can solve the problems of the world. However in The Great Gatsby by F.Scott Fitzgerald, money is only used as a barrier between a world of fabricated luxury and a world of bleak reality. Gatsby and Tom used their fortunes only to benefit themselves, becoming naive to functions of a normal society. Throughout the novel, Fitzgerald illustrates how wealth creates a class of careless people driven by quantity and status by highlighting how money corrupts the minds of the elite. In the novel The Great Gatsby, wealth allows Tom and Daisy to run away from the trouble they stirred …show more content…

When Gatsby admits his love for Daisy in front of Tom, Tom begins arguing for Daisy as if her love is his possession yelling, “But all the rest of that’s a Goddamned lie. Daisy loved me when she married me and she loves me now” (Fitzgerald 131). This portrays Tom’s notion that Daisy belongs to him and her love is something he has obtained. This highlights that money can destroy the idea of true love and leads to reckless assumptions. Furthermore, Tom allows himself to engage with other women while still claiming love for Daisy. By stating, “And what’s more, I love Daisy too. Once and awhile I go off on a spree and make a fool of myself, but I always come back, and in my heart I love her all the time” he is showing the utmost disregard for Daisy’s love for him (Fitzgerald 131). This is significant because it shows how Tom’s wealth has created the perception that Daisy is a prop he can utilize as he chooses . This also demonstrates the carless naure of the upper class because Tom feels justified for running around with a mistress because he claims to still love …show more content…

Gatsby fell in love with Daisy when he still had no money to account for. Daisy grew up in an extremely rich family and had access to a plethora of money. After Daisy and Gatsby are separated it is arranged for Daisy to marry Tom. On the night before her wedding Daisy becomes spifflicated and questions her marriage to Tom. The novel states “She groped around in a wastebasket she had with her on the bed and pulled out the string of pearls. ‘Take ‘em down-stairs and give ‘em back to whoever they belong to. Tell ‘em all Daisy’s change’ her mind’” (Fitzgerald 76). When Daisy is under the influence she doubts her marriage to Tom and is not as infatuated with material goods. However, when she becomes sober she completes her one task:to marry someone who is rich. This highlights the impacts wealth has on love and how it can destroy the concept of true love. When Gatsby returns and learns who Daisy married, he becomes obsessed with procuring wealth to secure Daisy’s love. Daisy is invited to Nick's house for tea and reunites with Gatsby for the first time. He directs her attention toward his large mansion stating to Nick “ I want you and Daisy to come over to my house” and later stating “My house looks well doesn’t it?” (Fitzgerald 89). Here he is trying to sway Daisy’s feelings for him merely by using his wealth. This is significant because it demonstrates the careless nature of the upper class by using their

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