Great Gatsby Materialism Analysis
The Great Gatsby articulates how materialism restricts human desire and behaviour. Materialism in this context is defined as a “preoccupation with or emphasis on material objects, comforts, and considerations, with a disinterest in or rejection of spiritual, intellectual, or cultural values” according to; dictonary.reference.com - the psychology behind this is that materialism restricts a person's ability to function as a social being to their full potential. We see this is the characters of Daisy Buchanan and Tom Buchanan, more relevantly known as "old money". Nick, the narrator, reflects upon these two characters as "careless people..- they smashed up things and creatures and then retreated back into their money of their vast carelessness.."
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In the case of Myrtle Wilson, she is restricted by her need for financial security, which at the time a woman could not realistically provide herself. "I married him because I thought he was a gentleman..but he wasn't fit to lick my shoe...he borrowed somebody's best suit to get married in." Myrtle expresses how he does not believe George Wilson is a fit suitor purely because he has a poor financial status. In Bruenig, E.S. (2015). Women only marry for money, it is highlighted that "marriage is a financial life jacket for women that they must be forced into via the threat of poverty." Bruenig reflects on the attitude of women after the disappointments towards this "lifejacket" hits them, this clearly being the case of Myrtle and her resentment towards George, suggesting that it is okay that "they revert to nasty instincts." In summary, the audience's understanding of the limitations of capitalism, via materialism, is broadened by the example which Myrtle sets. Myrtle's need for materialistic security prevents her to marry purely for love, she is disappointed by Georges lack of money. This teaches the audience, in relation to the marxist lense, that capitalism promotes selfish desires for money and material wealth, it teaches that capitalists typically oppress their natural human behaviours such as emotions, wants, and needs so that they fit a model capable of fulfilling the system of
In the case of Myrtle Wilson, she is restricted by her need for financial security, which at the time a woman could not realistically provide herself. "I married him because I thought he was a gentleman..but he wasn't fit to lick my shoe...he borrowed somebody's best suit to get married in." Myrtle expresses how he does not believe George Wilson is a fit suitor purely because he has a poor financial status. In Bruenig, E.S. (2015). Women only marry for money, it is highlighted that "marriage is a financial life jacket for women that they must be forced into via the threat of poverty." Bruenig reflects on the attitude of women after the disappointments towards this "lifejacket" hits them, this clearly being the case of Myrtle and her resentment towards George, suggesting that it is okay that "they revert to nasty instincts." In summary, the audience's understanding of the limitations of capitalism, via materialism, is broadened by the example which Myrtle sets. Myrtle's need for materialistic security prevents her to marry purely for love, she is disappointed by Georges lack of money. This teaches the audience, in relation to the marxist lense, that capitalism promotes selfish desires for money and material wealth, it teaches that capitalists typically oppress their natural human behaviours such as emotions, wants, and needs so that they fit a model capable of fulfilling the system of