Great Gatsby Materialism Essay
Book Report
Dr. Seo
January 11, 2013
Chris Lee
The Great Gatsby / F. Scott Fitzgerald
With the long history of debate over idealism and materialism in consideration, it would be inappropriate to dictate which one is right or wrong. Between these two doctrines, there is a ‘thing’ that has differentiates one from the other; in other words, this thing completely separates idealism and materialism. Though veiled in mystery, this thing tells us at least that idealism and materialism are inharmonious doctrines. It would be misleading to make a compromise between those two concepts as our distressful world has demonstrated so far. The Great Gatsby reveals what this thing is. Living at the time of materialistic society, Gatsby was the typical example of idealist in early years of the United States who could not help becoming depraved. The United States were full of material wealth, shadowed by ‘spiritual poverty’; Gatsby was an idealist who possessed an ideal ‘Daisy’ his love, along with his economic success. ‘American Dream’, dream of the Americans at those days, meant harmonized society between idealism and materialism. …show more content…
That was a true utopia having possibility for humans to be greatest happy. But United States turned into industrial society, and ‘American Dream’ inclined into materialistic success rather than the idealistic success. It was a spontaneous change that no man could change. Writer Fitzgerald’s intention was to criticize the materialistic society of the United States.
The exceeding materialism caused the people to lead their lives into an unceasing ‘gambling place’ silencing themselves in reality. However, daisy’s husband tom was a realist, devotee of materialism behaving frivolously and thoughtlessly to survive within the society and to enjoy his fortune. As a result, idealist Gatsby was sacrificed, and tom was debauched morally. Gatsby’s sacrifice clearly demonstrates that each ‘gambling places’ were tinged with materialism and were playground of moral debauched man but at the same time, his sacrifice instructs us that the “LOVE” is the only way to revert corrupted reality. Gatsby’s palatial mansion was full of partier every night, but no one was presented at a funeral for Gatsby except his true friend
Nick.
Although he was abandoned by his beloved ‘Daisy’, he instructed what it takes to make a valuable life as a human. I believe that the way Gatsby came through is the most beautiful way than any other ways, sacrificing his life and all his deeds for Daisy, his ideal. Stupefied by the ridiculous life that I have been living, I came to look back to identify why I was studying and striving for. As seen in the death of Gatsby’s life, the sole product of his hardworking life is a mere despondency. But his brightening life all beyond this despondency, I suppose, is not comparable to anything that surrounds it.
Dr. Seo
January 11, 2013
Chris Lee
The Great Gatsby / F. Scott Fitzgerald
With the long history of debate over idealism and materialism in consideration, it would be inappropriate to dictate which one is right or wrong. Between these two doctrines, there is a ‘thing’ that has differentiates one from the other; in other words, this thing completely separates idealism and materialism. Though veiled in mystery, this thing tells us at least that idealism and materialism are inharmonious doctrines. It would be misleading to make a compromise between those two concepts as our distressful world has demonstrated so far. The Great Gatsby reveals what this thing is. Living at the time of materialistic society, Gatsby was the typical example of idealist in early years of the United States who could not help becoming depraved. The United States were full of material wealth, shadowed by ‘spiritual poverty’; Gatsby was an idealist who possessed an ideal ‘Daisy’ his love, along with his economic success. ‘American Dream’, dream of the Americans at those days, meant harmonized society between idealism and materialism. …show more content…
That was a true utopia having possibility for humans to be greatest happy. But United States turned into industrial society, and ‘American Dream’ inclined into materialistic success rather than the idealistic success. It was a spontaneous change that no man could change. Writer Fitzgerald’s intention was to criticize the materialistic society of the United States.
The exceeding materialism caused the people to lead their lives into an unceasing ‘gambling place’ silencing themselves in reality. However, daisy’s husband tom was a realist, devotee of materialism behaving frivolously and thoughtlessly to survive within the society and to enjoy his fortune. As a result, idealist Gatsby was sacrificed, and tom was debauched morally. Gatsby’s sacrifice clearly demonstrates that each ‘gambling places’ were tinged with materialism and were playground of moral debauched man but at the same time, his sacrifice instructs us that the “LOVE” is the only way to revert corrupted reality. Gatsby’s palatial mansion was full of partier every night, but no one was presented at a funeral for Gatsby except his true friend
Nick.
Although he was abandoned by his beloved ‘Daisy’, he instructed what it takes to make a valuable life as a human. I believe that the way Gatsby came through is the most beautiful way than any other ways, sacrificing his life and all his deeds for Daisy, his ideal. Stupefied by the ridiculous life that I have been living, I came to look back to identify why I was studying and striving for. As seen in the death of Gatsby’s life, the sole product of his hardworking life is a mere despondency. But his brightening life all beyond this despondency, I suppose, is not comparable to anything that surrounds it.