How are capitalism and religion related? In Francis Scott Fitzgerald’s The Great Gatsby, flourishing capitalism and dying religion are highlighted through various symbols and events; therefore the two are related through an inverse relationship. Multiple characters in the novel have a rapacity for wealth. Also, Fitzgerald fills the novel with numerous religious allusions, and characters that hold onto religion are portrayed as financially challenged. Capitalism connects wealth and religion, as it appears the two cannot coexist. Capitalism and religion are related in Fitzgerald’s The Great Gatsby inversely, shown through characters’ greed, religious allusions, and
In Fitzgerald’s The Great Gatsby, multiple characters are portrayed with having …show more content…
This table shows how average weekly wages for unskilled male workers rose from $19.41 per week to $24.40 per week, a substantial rise in income for employees, even those lacking any college experience. Thus, characters in The Great Gatsby would find substantially larger sums of money at their disposal, which is shown by the lifestyles that characters such as Gatsby and Tom Buchanan live. Finally, Gatsby is able to expand his wealth beyond money, but into his estate, as the Owl-Eyed man looking through his library states "It 's a bona-fide piece of printed …show more content…
This is illustrated as Gatsby acquires his money in very unethical means, described by Tom Buchanan as “‘He and this Wolfshiem bought up a lot of side-street drug stores here and in Chicago and sold grain alcohol[...]” (Fitzgerald, 141). During the 1920’s, alcohol was illegal due to prohibition. Therefore, Gatsby resorted to illegal measures to finance his dream. Also, the desire for wealth was unlimited; a character was never satisfied with what they had. This is seen as Tom Buchanan will do all in his power to bring himself more; more of whatever he can get. For example, although Tom is married to Daisy Buchanan, he knows that he can get more. So, he cheats on his wife with Myrtle Wilson, who is described as “[...] in the middle thirties, and faintly stout, but she carried her surplus flesh sensuously[...]” (Fitzgerald, 29). Tom goes directly against the commandment which states one shall not commit adultery. Tom does this so he can simply state he has more than others, shown when he insists Nick comes with him. Finally, Fitzgerald also hints at the question, can money buy happiness? Jay Gatsby earns himself what appears to be an unlimited supply of money, yet never has what he truly desires; Daisy. However, Nick Carraway, the narrator, has a significantly lower amount of money compared to the likes of Gatsby and the Buchanans, and appears to be content with his life. Thus, characters believe
In Fitzgerald’s The Great Gatsby, multiple characters are portrayed with having …show more content…
This table shows how average weekly wages for unskilled male workers rose from $19.41 per week to $24.40 per week, a substantial rise in income for employees, even those lacking any college experience. Thus, characters in The Great Gatsby would find substantially larger sums of money at their disposal, which is shown by the lifestyles that characters such as Gatsby and Tom Buchanan live. Finally, Gatsby is able to expand his wealth beyond money, but into his estate, as the Owl-Eyed man looking through his library states "It 's a bona-fide piece of printed …show more content…
This is illustrated as Gatsby acquires his money in very unethical means, described by Tom Buchanan as “‘He and this Wolfshiem bought up a lot of side-street drug stores here and in Chicago and sold grain alcohol[...]” (Fitzgerald, 141). During the 1920’s, alcohol was illegal due to prohibition. Therefore, Gatsby resorted to illegal measures to finance his dream. Also, the desire for wealth was unlimited; a character was never satisfied with what they had. This is seen as Tom Buchanan will do all in his power to bring himself more; more of whatever he can get. For example, although Tom is married to Daisy Buchanan, he knows that he can get more. So, he cheats on his wife with Myrtle Wilson, who is described as “[...] in the middle thirties, and faintly stout, but she carried her surplus flesh sensuously[...]” (Fitzgerald, 29). Tom goes directly against the commandment which states one shall not commit adultery. Tom does this so he can simply state he has more than others, shown when he insists Nick comes with him. Finally, Fitzgerald also hints at the question, can money buy happiness? Jay Gatsby earns himself what appears to be an unlimited supply of money, yet never has what he truly desires; Daisy. However, Nick Carraway, the narrator, has a significantly lower amount of money compared to the likes of Gatsby and the Buchanans, and appears to be content with his life. Thus, characters believe