The Role Of Materialism In The Great Gatsby

Throughout history, the American Dream has developed immensely; ranging from religious freedom to becoming the wealthiest person in America, and everything in between. While these goals seem attainable to an extent, there has always been the possibility of failure, and that of which increased exponentially over time. While the American Revolution and Civil War were fights against higher powers to attain a freedom to choose; to have the opportunity to have self-interests, the American Dream has developed into a goal for substance, for money: materialism. Instead of pursuing something to help themselves, the Americans began to try to do things to impress others; losing their self interest and gaining incentive to be greater than or equal the

For many, the American Dream has developed into a materialistic goal, where the pursuer wants to attain objects (whether inanimate or personified), and the characters Gatsby and Myrtle are a prime example of this. The first comes when Myrtle describes her intentions before marrying George, “‘The only crazy I was was when I married him. I knew right away I had made a mistake. He borrowed somebody’s best suit to get married in, and never even told me about it, and the man came after it one day when he was out’”(35). When Myrtle pursues a husband, her real goal is somebody with money. Her initial intention to marry someone because of their wealth would inevitably lead to an unhappy state of mind, because the groom might not necessarily have had any money. In this case, he didn’t. And to try to correct her mistake, she seeks another person, Tom Buchanan, who is wealthier than the majority of people. To her surprise, she doesn’t gain a sudden happiness; despite obtaining all of the commodities that she desires. But aside from venturing into an unknown, which has its risks granted; Jay Gatsby also shows how he took the route to artificial happiness when he

For those who have accomplished the Dream, like Tom Buchannan, know that the goal that they reach is not truly everything when it comes to happiness, and can actually be the very thing that makes them see the worst in life. On the contrast, those who don’t finish their goal, like Jay Gatsby, have a feeling of failure and regret for the rest of their life and live it to see the worst as well. So the American Dream, has incredulously become the American Nightmare, a goal that will inevitably lead to an ineludible