Introduction

Quite clearly, one of the themes that appear to be the most prominently apparent within F. Scott Fitzgerald’s highly renowned literary work, ‘The Great Gatsby’, is the disadvantageousness of adhering to materialistic values. This is something that is repeatedly emphasized upon in as much as the situational duress that each of the prime characters finds him or herself in, at various points throughout the novel. Indeed, it would be introductorily apt to acknowledge that a prevalent degree of the build-ups within the plot, leading to the climax and conclusion, occur primarily as a result of the regrettable consequences of the ingrained nature of such values.

Explicating the relevance of materialistic norms within the novel

Take into consideration, for instance, that fact that one of the most relevant twists within the plot, based upon Gatsby’s apparent love for Daisy, is basically emergent as a result of nothing more than Daisy’s obsession with materialistic values. It would be useful to here consider that the underlying reason due to which the dead relationship between Gatsby and Daisy is allowed to rekindled, is that the Gatsby convinces Daisy that the relationship she currently has with her husband Tom is something to be regretted. As a result of the fact that Daisy happens to be an extraordinarily materialistic person, this is something that is not all that difficult for Gatsby to achieve. In order to ensure that Daisy is convinced of turning back to him, Gatsby gives her a strategic tour of his mansion, making sure that she is completely struck by his wealth, which she is. And in further regard to Daisy’s fixation with wealth and riches, it would be relevant to consider that while Tom proverbially bought her love with a three hundred thousand dollar necklace; Gatsby appears to be attempting to try the same thing with a mansion instead of a necklace. Speaking in terms of the protagonist, Gatsby, it would be relevant to consider that his character contributes to the them of materialism in as much as his obsession with winning over Daisy’s love primarily via a display of his personal riches.

Furthermore, even the manner, in which the character of Tom, Daisy’s husband, is portrayed, is anchored to the concept of materialism. This is something that is made clear when analytically considering the manner in which Tom regards Myrtle, the woman who he has been having an affair with. The fact that Tom regards her with little more regard than he would spare for a pet is something that attains a rather relevant note when considering it in light of Tom’s perspective in concern to his social position. Tom Buchanan considers himself as being from among the elite old order of the rich and wealthy; something that he accentuates upon in as much as contrasting his wealth to that of Gatsby’s. In terms of the way he Myrtle, however, it would be useful to consider that Tom has all the money and leads the life she wants to be a part of. This is something that appears to give him a rather masochistic edge over her. While he apparently mistreats her due to an element of disdain for her obvious inferiority in terms of social standing, this inferiority is something that is proportionately accentuated as a result of the evident enviousness of Myrtle in terms of her current state of life. It is quite apparent that she, Myrtle, thoroughly dislikes the collective features and characteristics of the relationship that she shares with her husband, George.

Further illustration of materialism and the resultant negativities

Thus speaking and considering all that has been said and discussed till this point in the paper, it would here be apt to consider that the gradual deterioration of the stability upon the canvas of the narration is completely due to the relevance that is given to materialistic values. Had it not been for Tom’s fixation with control, borne of the persistence of his impression of himself as the social best, he would probably have not been involved in an affair with another woman. Similarly, had Daisy not been so materialistically inclined as to first stray towards the riches of Gatsby, and then, upon hearing the origin of his wealth, swaying back towards Tom, she probably would not have ended up driving back home with Gatsby in the passenger seat. And last but certainly not the least, had Gatsby not been so smug in concern to the success that he would have with winning back Daisy with his wealth, he probably wouldn’t have ended up dying.

It is quite apparent, thus speaking and considering all that has been portrayed till here, that the socially ingrained concept of materialism is what primarily fuels the trial of consequences that ends in something of a tragedy. And it would be appropriate to consider what is probably the point in the book that is the most relevant to unveiling the depth of the materialist values ingrained within the characters. This reference is to the point in the narration when Gatsby says, with a sentiment approaching mock practicality, ‘can’t repeat the past? Why of course you can’ (Gatsby, 1996: Page 111). This is something that effectually illustrates the high regard, which the characters bestow upon materialistic wealth and riches. It is, after all, as a result of his contemporary prominence in terms of wealth that Gatsby is confident that he can win back Daisy’s favor in spite of the fact that she is married and has a child. It would be conclusively apt to consider that the while materialism and its consequences are the prime focus of the book; particular regrets that characters harbor due to various voluntary actions seems to embody a secondarily underlying theme. This is accentuated upon when considering that had it not been for certain regrets on their respective parts, neither would Tom, nor Daisy, nor Myrtle be involved in affairs; and this too, consequently, would have resulted in a failure of the plots moving towards the climax in the manner that it does.