The Great Gatsby is a dramatic novel that dives into a careless world where characters value material possession far greater than character qualities. To explain this, Fitzgerald offers insight on an array of themes. These themes include power, justice, betrayal and the American dream. Of all the themes, though none is more significant than that of materialism. In The Great Gatsby, Fitzgerald portrays materialism as a significant theme of the 1920’s. It is highlighted throughout the novel that individuals who have and value money greatly influence the lives of others. To deliver this idea, Fitzgerald divides characters into three very distinct social classes, old money, new money, and no money. Generally, those from old money negatively affect
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Throughout the novel, their actions constantly have negative effects towards other individuals. Tom and Daisy are a great example of the hollowness of noble born individuals. Their marriage is full of lies and betrayals yet, they are unseparated from their corruption. This is proven in the latter stages of the novel, Gatsby is killed, but despite their relations with each other neither one of the Buchanan’s send their regards or show any remorse. In fact, they go on a short vacation, which is a clear indication of the lack of compassion they have towards people from different social ranks. From the novel, …show more content…
His death is influenced by the arrogance of surrounding individuals as a result of the materialistic theme of the 1920’s. The concept of wealth defining character at the time plays an important role when Myrtle Wilson is tragically killed. This is demonstrated when Gatsby is mistaken to be behind the wheel rather than Daisy. Gatsby’s failure to notice the true character of Daisy is largely due to his lapse of judgment towards her as she represents everything he has ever wanted. This is observed when Nick says, "There must have been moments even that afternoon when Daisy tumbled short of his dreams--not through her own fault but because of the colossal vitality of his illusion” (152). Here, Nick describes the exaggerated nature of Gatsby's rich imagination of her. What Gatsby fails to realize is that Daisy symbolizes both material success as well as the corruption wealth can bring. She demonstrates her vast carelessness when she allows Gatsby to take blame for Myrtle Wilson’s unintentional death. This careless action results in Gatsby’s death later in the novel. However, her inability to take responsibility for her actions demonstrates that her vast possession of wealth acts as a shield from
Throughout the novel, their actions constantly have negative effects towards other individuals. Tom and Daisy are a great example of the hollowness of noble born individuals. Their marriage is full of lies and betrayals yet, they are unseparated from their corruption. This is proven in the latter stages of the novel, Gatsby is killed, but despite their relations with each other neither one of the Buchanan’s send their regards or show any remorse. In fact, they go on a short vacation, which is a clear indication of the lack of compassion they have towards people from different social ranks. From the novel, …show more content…
His death is influenced by the arrogance of surrounding individuals as a result of the materialistic theme of the 1920’s. The concept of wealth defining character at the time plays an important role when Myrtle Wilson is tragically killed. This is demonstrated when Gatsby is mistaken to be behind the wheel rather than Daisy. Gatsby’s failure to notice the true character of Daisy is largely due to his lapse of judgment towards her as she represents everything he has ever wanted. This is observed when Nick says, "There must have been moments even that afternoon when Daisy tumbled short of his dreams--not through her own fault but because of the colossal vitality of his illusion” (152). Here, Nick describes the exaggerated nature of Gatsby's rich imagination of her. What Gatsby fails to realize is that Daisy symbolizes both material success as well as the corruption wealth can bring. She demonstrates her vast carelessness when she allows Gatsby to take blame for Myrtle Wilson’s unintentional death. This careless action results in Gatsby’s death later in the novel. However, her inability to take responsibility for her actions demonstrates that her vast possession of wealth acts as a shield from