A History Of Conspicuous Consumption Analysis

Although Americans like the idea that all Americans stand united with a common identity; in reality, Americans identities’ are based on race and class. Americans also believe in a sense of individualism which is measured in terms of material possessions. Ironically enough, the search for individualism and freedom has led Americans to rely upon the corporate state more than ever. The American struggle for individualism and thus reliance upon the corporate state has made Americans a materialistic and superficial society warped by a consumer fantasy of utopia. The race and economic standing one is born with in America will decide the life paths that are available to them throughout their life.

As children, we have all dreamt of money, being rich; owning an extravagant mansion, magnificent cars, and being married to a prince or princess. Basically, we dream of the perfect life, with the perfect spouse. Generally, this dream is known as the American Dream, which is the belief that if one works hard, that person will succeed by becoming rich. Even after all the clarifications for the American Dream, people have still managed to misunderstand it. The deceptive role of the American Dream, the wrongfully understood meaning of it and the changes it brings in a person is what puts together the overall idea of American Dream.

Cars also symbolise wealth back in the 1920s. People who thought they were better than others would buy the best looking and expensive cars on the market. Gatsby wants to show off how wealthy he is and uses the car as a symbol of his wealth. There 's an ongoing theme of new money versus old money where Gatsby has been handed his money down from generation and Tom has worked for what he has and was made rich by his own

As American culture changes over the decades, so does the meaning of the American Dream. The American Dream, a term first coined in 1931 by freelance writer James Adams Truslow, was the theory that each person, regardless of their background, can work hard and get wealthy. It was a very idealistic way of thinking, but unrealistic for many due to inequality and individual aspirations. The literary works of F.Scott Fitzgerald’s The Great Gatsby, Luis Valdez’s “In Lak 'ech:You are my Other Me” and “Zoot Suit”, Jon Krakauer’s Into the Wild, and Eleanor Roosevelt’s speech “What has happened to the American Dream?” depicts how individuals from different decades in American history define the American Dream. As America evolves throughout the twentieth century, so does what people view as important, which adds on to what the American Dream means.

driving a Mercedes or BMW are a symbol of having money so people buy them to give an air of having money even if they don’t have a lot of money…. We tie wealth to cars so much that when we see people driving a certain car we in society immediately assume they are rich. So in those terms our consumption becomes our identity. Identity when tied to tweens has to do with consumption based on an identity of trying to seem cool or fit in. Question Two Model of racial communication 1.

Weiner stated as he traveling in Qatar that, "Maybe the secret to happiness is money. Lots of money. And if money can buy happiness, or at least rent it for a while, then surely Qatar, by some measures the wealthiest country in the world, must also be the happiest"(Page ) . Weiner discovered how wealthy Qatar is, from their Airways, to luxury hotels, designer clothing stores and expensive cars and not only material things, but they also make their school for student to get the same education and same degree as what American student gets in America. When Weiner interviewed and asked Moza if money can buy happiness, she stated that, " “No, not exactly.

Money has a powerful influence on the perception of people. Motivation can bring good things to those who have a lot of fortune. Riches is what makes the American Dream come true because it can either buy materials, love or even identity. The Great Gatsby, by F. Scott Fitzgerald, makes a direct relationship between money and the pursuit of the American Dream. In the novel, money plays the role of motivation and changes in people.

Specify organisational standards of customer service So the customer segment of the Ritz-Carlton is a wealthy clientele who has very high expectations since they use to get upscale products because they are ready to pay more to have more. Therefore, the differentiation of the Ritz-Carlton is made on an efficient and effective customer service. As we know the needs are general but the wants are specific, so the companies have to make the difference so as to become the customer’s wants. For example, customers will need to book an hotel room but some customers will want to book an Ritz-Carlton hotel room. So the Ritz-Carlton is really known for their customer service.

Indeed people prefer to buy branded products from non-branded products, also whit an increased price. Gladwell in the chapter 4th of his book explain the example of L’Oreal, an expensive but fashionable product. It give to the company a big profit. indeed Ilon Specht in one of his most famous thoughts says: “ I use the most expensive hair color in the world, but I don’t mind spending more for L’Oreal, because I’m worth it”(Gladwell pag. 98).

There are many themes exist in the novel of The Great Gatsby by Scott Fitzgerald. The most significant theme in this novel is the American dream. The meaning of the American Dream is someone who starting low on the social level or economic, which then working hard and try their best towards wealth and fame. In other word, it stand for one’s independence to strive in order to achieve desired wealth and fame with hard work, but it ends up being more about selfish and materialism pursuit of pleasure. American dream is achieve when a person having a car, money, big house, happy family and nice clothes.