Examples Of Materialism In The Great Gatsby

F. Scott Fitzgerald sends a clear message across throughout The Great Gatsby regarding materialism. If you strive for material possessions throughout your life, the only thing you will get in return is disappointment. The Great Gatsby is littered with evidence of this as such, fFrom Gatsby and Daisy's internal struggle, to the overlaying theme of the novel, and the vivid symbolism throughout it. All of the relationships made in the Great Gatsby only existed due to wealth. Daisy’s entire marriage is based upon securing her wealth status with Tom, despite loving Gatsby. All of Gatsby's alleged friends at his wild parties only flock to his manor for free booze, to be around his possessions, and to flaunt their wealth to others attending. The facade fades though, when the money is gone and Gatsby dies as none of them show up to his funeral. Also Myrtle deeply desires to become part of the old money east egg society, despite being a part of a lower class. To achieve this goal she builds a physical relationship with Tom, but very obviously wishes to be Tom's wife. On the other hand Tom only wishes to use her a possession. …show more content…
This is all to produce an image to the world that he is successful, because in Fitzgerald's world wealth means success. Gatsby feels that the more money that he gets, then the farther he distances himself from his past of James Gatz and the closer he gets to getting having Daisy love him. In the end though Gatsby fails horribly as Daisy desired him mostly for the fact that he was untouched by the horrors of wealth, but Gatsby breaks his chances of ending up with daisy in his effort to end up with her. This is because Tom tells Daisy about Gatsby's bootlegging. Later in the story at Gatsby's funeral one of the only people to show up was the Owl-Eyed-Man who was characterized by having poor vision, which is perhaps a statement on Gatsby's