Great Gatsby; Money in the 1920's
Munns Matt
Mr. Mauchley
English III
17 February 2012
Money in the 1920’s They say that money is “the root of all evil. This novel exemplifies how the characters live for money and are controlled by it. Love and happiness cannot be bought, no matter how much money was spent. Tom and Daisy were married and even had a child, but they both still committed adultery. Daisy was with Gatsby and Tom was with Myrtle. They tried to find happiness with their lovers, but the risk of changing their lifestyles was not worth it. They were not happy with their spouses but could not find happiness with their lovers. Happiness cannot be found or bought. Daisy lost her love and respect for Gatsby when she found out he was a bootlegger. The important thing was not just having money, but where they money came from. In F. Scott Fitzgerald’s novel, The Great Gatsby, money is a prominent theme. The author shows that money is earned and spent in very specific ways. Each character’s relationship with money allows the reader to see their personalities more clearly. In the beginning of Chapter Two, Nick and Tom Buchanon have just met Tom’s girlfriend Myrtle. The three of them are on their way to Tom and Myrtles apartment when an elderly man selling puppies on the side of the street catches Myrtle’s eye. The author explains, “I want to get one those dogs, she said earnestly. I want to get one for the apartment. They’re nice to have- a dog-I think its cute…Is it a boy or a girl? She asked delicately.” “It’s a bitch,” said Tom decisively.” Here’s your money. Go and buy ten more dogs with it” (pages 27-28). Tom’s actions and choice of words when he is buying the puppy for his girlfriend Myrtle show the reader that he does not have respect for women. The way Tom throws his money around illustrates that he believes he, because he has money, is better than the person selling the puppies. Fitzgerald uses the money theme again when he writes about the parties that
Mr. Mauchley
English III
17 February 2012
Money in the 1920’s They say that money is “the root of all evil. This novel exemplifies how the characters live for money and are controlled by it. Love and happiness cannot be bought, no matter how much money was spent. Tom and Daisy were married and even had a child, but they both still committed adultery. Daisy was with Gatsby and Tom was with Myrtle. They tried to find happiness with their lovers, but the risk of changing their lifestyles was not worth it. They were not happy with their spouses but could not find happiness with their lovers. Happiness cannot be found or bought. Daisy lost her love and respect for Gatsby when she found out he was a bootlegger. The important thing was not just having money, but where they money came from. In F. Scott Fitzgerald’s novel, The Great Gatsby, money is a prominent theme. The author shows that money is earned and spent in very specific ways. Each character’s relationship with money allows the reader to see their personalities more clearly. In the beginning of Chapter Two, Nick and Tom Buchanon have just met Tom’s girlfriend Myrtle. The three of them are on their way to Tom and Myrtles apartment when an elderly man selling puppies on the side of the street catches Myrtle’s eye. The author explains, “I want to get one those dogs, she said earnestly. I want to get one for the apartment. They’re nice to have- a dog-I think its cute…Is it a boy or a girl? She asked delicately.” “It’s a bitch,” said Tom decisively.” Here’s your money. Go and buy ten more dogs with it” (pages 27-28). Tom’s actions and choice of words when he is buying the puppy for his girlfriend Myrtle show the reader that he does not have respect for women. The way Tom throws his money around illustrates that he believes he, because he has money, is better than the person selling the puppies. Fitzgerald uses the money theme again when he writes about the parties that