Examples Of Materialism In The Great Gatsby

The concept of happiness is a fundamental element of the American Dream which has taken different forms throughout time. The twentieth century has established the idea that materialism and happiness is linked when it is nothing more than an illusion. The Great Gatsby, “A Formula for Happiness”, “But Will It Make You Happy”,and “The Happiness of Pursuit” validate this point of view and reinforces it. People try to find happiness through external things instead of searching within. The Great Gatsby is a novel that displays the American Dream of pursuing happiness through a meaningful character known as Gatsby ,whom doesn’t achieve it because he didn’t search within himself in attempt of hiding the real him in becoming who he was not through …show more content…
His life had been confused and disordered since then, but if he could return to a certain starting place and go over it all slowly, he could find out what that thing was…(Fitzgerald, chap.6)” Gatsby isn’t satisfied with what has become of his life, and instead of changing it going forward, he returns back to the past. Happiness comes from within and it’s found when an individual makes peace with his past and looks forward to the future.Gatsby uses his wealth to the best of his ability in attempt of filling the empty space within him. “There was music from my neighbor's house through the summer nights. In his blue gardens men and girls came and …show more content…
We are introduced to Ms. Strobel in the article who started living minimalistically so she would have time to actually live life instead of getting caught up in the workforce, “I really believe that the acquisition of material goods does not bring about happiness.(paragraph 9)” .Ms. Strobel is making a relevant point that external things will not achieve mental and emotional stability due to them being temporary satisfactions. It isn’t happiness when you use wealth or items , rather it’s dependency on them for the joy struggled to be found inside of themselves. Ms. Strobel also states materialism will only benefit the ones that achieved inner happiness.“Consumers may also be permanently adjusting their spending based on what they’ve discovered about what truly makes them happy or fulfilled.(paragraph 14)” .This highlights money as a tool to enhance the happiness one has already found within for the future. Once a person reinforces himself with the who he is and whom he will be in the future, money can benefit his happiness even when the world may push against