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Scott Fitzgerald's Use Of Materialism In The Great Gatsby

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In The Great Gatsby, F. Scott Fitzgerald is very meticulous on how the novel is shown as more satirical rather than romantic. The visionary of the American Dream is the most coveted life during this time period, so Fitzgerald used this lifestyle to mock and expose the vices of others. Fitzgerald uses certain aspects of this lifestyle to show characters satirical impulsiveness or materialism, which ridicules them and the ideals of the 1920s. During the time period in which this novel took place, the American Dream was perhaps the most sought after lifestyle. The American Dream during the roaring twenties is the pursuit of wealth regardless of morals. In The Great Gatsby, Fitzgerald satirized this when he wrote that [Daisy] wanted her life …show more content…

For instance, Gatsby throws the most lavish parties and throws money around like candy. In East Egg, most of the people live in mansions and have special house features such as “a tower on one side, spanking new under a thin beard of ivy, and a marble swimming pool…” (5). Gatsby also mentioned how he “collect[ed] jewels, chiefly rubies, hunt[ed] big game, painting a little, things only for myself only” (66) which shows that throughout his life he was after material objects. Fitzgerald talks about how Dan Cody was “James Gatz’s destiny” (100) which means that Gatsby has been chasing wealth since he very young. Materialism is ridiculed from beginning to end which shows the novel as satirical. The extent of satire shown was widespread throughout the novel, particularly towards the ideas of impulsiveness and materialism. Those aspects are also connected towards the idealistic American Dream. Within the novel, Fitzgerald frequently mocks those in the roaring twenties by showing typical behavior of those who are wealthy and believe in the American Dream, which displays The Great Gatsby as

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Authors use satire to bring the reader’s attention to various aspects of a society’s comprehension by illustrating the ridiculous and criticizing the evils he/she sees within the population. Throughout The Great Gatsby, Francis Scott Fitzgerald criticizes the classes of the 1920s, who had so much money they could get away with adultery and murder without consequence. Nearly all the characters in The Great Gatsby are motivated by love and desire. Fitzgerald argues that the way the characters approach love and desire is problematic and destructive. He also points out that the American dream is severely damaged, in The Great Gatsby many of the characters are driven towards materialistic possessions and wealth.

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