Materialism and the Downfall of the American Dream It has been said that "Money is the world's curse!" ... Money leads to materialism and materialism leads to the decline and downfall of the American Dream. ... Scott Fitzgerald, Fitzgerald seems to be saying that materialism and the decline and death of the American dream are interrelated. ... Unbridled materialism can be terrible and can have ghastly and horrid affects on the society, and of course, the American dream. ... Another way the decline of the American Dream is linked with unbridled materialism is that the rich so warp t...

• Word Count: 1299
• Approx Pages: 5
• Grade Level: High School

Americans are extremely materialistic. ... One opinion on why Americans are materialistic is because Americans perceive success as obtaining possessions. ... It is about these two rich and famous girls that only know materialism. ... Materialism is never going to change. Thoreau stated that Americans were materialistic when he wrote "Why I Went to the Woods," in the 1800's, and in my opinion, materialism has only gotten worse. ...

• Word Count: 1373
• Approx Pages: 5
• Grade Level: High School

Materialism Materialism what do you think it is?... As Webster's Dictionary state, materialism is a theory thatphysical matter is only fundamental reality. Americans are very materialistic.Because our society is so materialistic, people can be hurt, and ashamed of howthey dress. Materialism in our society can also be costly. ... Materialism can be verycostly. ...

• Word Count: 1117
• Approx Pages: 4
• Grade Level: High School

The classic "American Dream," is often characterized by home ownership. ... Gluttony and materialism are never far behind the notion of ownership. In today's society, materialism is a large problem. ... One can become consumed with materialism and ruin the hard work it took to raise funds. ... Sadly, the desire to "own" can often overtake people, causing materialism and obsession to surface. ...

• Word Count: 577
• Approx Pages: 2

In the mid 1800s, Alexis de Tocqueville wrote his novel Democracy in America. This work was an extensive study of American democracy. ... To Tocquecille, two other side effects of equality are individualism and materialism. ... Materialism also results from a passion for equality because people think that they ought to be able to have as much wealth as everyone else. The effect of materialism is people may be so absorbed in their personal pursuit of wealth that they neglect to use their political freedom. ...

• Word Count: 520
• Approx Pages: 2
• Grade Level: Undergraduate

The main themes of the novel are materialism, corruption and The American Dream. ... I am going to show how effective Fitzgerald is at portraying the materialism in the American society throughout his novel "The great Gatsby". ... Daisy is Gatsby's dream - like the American Dream. ... He has had many affairs but Daisy doesn't mention it, this showing their marriage is ruined but they are held together by materialism. ... This shows how the American Dream can never truly make one happy. ...

• Word Count: 1099
• Approx Pages: 4
• Grade Level: High School

In The Great Gatsby, a novel by American author F. ... The corruption of the American dream in the 1920's era is shown in The Great Gatsby through symbolism, materialism, and romantic dreams and hopes. ... Materialism is a major motive for the characters in the book, Gatsby's library conveys the ridiculous level of materialism present during the 20's. ... American author F. Scott Fitzgerald wrote the novel The Great Gatsby, the corruption of the American dream is a major them throughout the book that Fitzgerald shows through symbolism, materialism, and the romantic dreams an...

• Word Count: 1016
• Approx Pages: 4
• Has Bibliography
• Grade Level: High School

In the book entitled American Ways authored by Gary Althens highlighted nine values and assumptions shared by Americans. The nine values are individualism, competition, privacy, equality, informality, the future, change and progress, time, achievement, action, work and materialism, and directness and assertiveness. ... As the summit of American values are the concept of achievement, action, work, and materialism. ... Although those values are considered common for Americans, they are viewed differently by non-Americans even contradictorily. ... Competitiveness which is something pervasive for...

• Word Count: 574
• Approx Pages: 2
• Grade Level: Undergraduate

This is probably the best essay about the American Dream/Great Gatsby. ... These situations in the lives of the characters show the worthlessness of materialism. ... This person, Daisy, has corrupted it in the ways that she has not worked for her status, she has disrespect for marriage, and her materialism. ... The American Dream was first recognized by the early settlers. ... The Great Gatsby illustrates how the pursuit for happiness through materialism cannot be successful without accompanying morality. ...

• Word Count: 1640
• Approx Pages: 7
• Grade Level: High School

In doing this he is truly attempting to fulfill his "American Dream" of having everything and more. ... Also the destruction of this American Dream is shown through Gatsby's wild and decadent parties. ... As revealed later in the novel, these parties exceed the boundaries of materialism and begin to decompose on all that is moral in the modern world. ... The 1920s were a time of great American corruption, greed, materialism and immoral values of the upper and middle class. ... Scott Fitzgerald is one of the greatest writers in American history. ...

• Word Count: 619
• Approx Pages: 2
• Grade Level: High School

Is the American Dream worth trampling on others? ... James Truslow Adams, a wealthy American historian, even said in his book, The Epic of America (1931) that, "The American Dream is better, richer, and happier life for all our citizens of every rank.... Another side effect of the American Dream is that people equate prosperity with happiness, resulting in the vision being tainted by materialism. The future generation will have an expectation of materialism and prosperity that doesn't equally match their poor work ethic. ... (The New American Dream) This modern gilded vision we call ...

• Word Count: 1607
• Approx Pages: 6
• Has Bibliography

One of the ways Capitalism has been harmful is that it promotes an unhealthy materialism. (See paper on Materialism) Materialism creates a larger interest in material possesions and comfort than in spiritual values. This car commercial (above) exhibits how shallow Americans have become. 50 years ago, cars were a means of transportation not impressions. ... People do buy it because we are constantly bombarded with advertisements that promote materialism and material goods have now become a social stature. ... (For more information see Capitalism's Effects on the Environment) 1600 m...

• Word Count: 636
• Approx Pages: 3

World War One was over and people were reveling in the materialism that came at the end of it, such as newly mass-produced commodities like motorcars and radios. ... Scott Fitzgerald, is an exploration of the American Dream, as it existed during a corrupt period in history. The Great Gatsby is a description of the decay of the American Dream and the desire for money and materialism. ... The ashes in the Valley act as a symbol of the death of the American Dream. ... Essentially, it was every American's ambition to make loads of money and not work hard. ...

• Word Count: 1611
• Approx Pages: 6
• Has Bibliography
• Grade Level: High School

For American writers, materialism was attacked and "they questioned the society that placed more importance on money and material goods-(Nash 390). Leading to their fame in literature, the writers who were concerned with American materialism moved to Europe. Materialism lead to prominence in 1920s America just as it did in The Great Gatsby. Gatsby's prominence is an aspect of how Americans used materialism in the 1920s. One way materialism is shown is through fashion. ...

• Word Count: 1169
• Approx Pages: 5
• Grade Level: High School

For American writers, materialism was attacked and "they questioned the society that placed more importance on money and material goods-(Nash 390). Leading to their fame in literature, the writers who were concerned with American materialism moved to Europe. Materialism lead to prominence in 1920s America just as it did in The Great Gatsby. Gatsby's prominence is an aspect of how Americans used materialism in the 1920s. One way materialism is shown is through fashion. ...

• Word Count: 1169
• Approx Pages: 5
• Grade Level: High School

Parents helped the growth of materialism by signing up for credit cards. ... The baby boom generation began to introduce materialism, a peril of mass culture that exists today because materialism is cycle that can only be stopped by a drastic event, it won't end on its own. ... As materialism and the boomers increased veterans who were new parents were forced to adapt to the changes of a society. ... Parents financially had to adapt to the needs of kids, the bills of a house, and materialism. ... A common stereotype of Americans is they are lazy. ...

• Word Count: 1336
• Approx Pages: 5
• Grade Level: Undergraduate

A Changing America The 1920's, one of the most important era's in American history. ... The first major change in American society was the change that occurred in America's political attitude. ... So in order to keep America "American" the government put heavy restrictions on immigrants. ... The boom of consumerism in America reflected the way America had changed economically. ... They did this by criticizing the new materialism in America which ironically was started during the same period. ...

• Word Count: 962
• Approx Pages: 4

However, in reality he obtained his money in the wrong way, and it appeared that the American dream was about discovery, individualism and the search of happiness, like Gatsby's dream of getting Daisy back in to his life, but in reality his dream is ruined by the hunt for wealth and materialism. ... Finally, the American dream, which appeared to be that America, represented a land of promise and great expectations to the Americans. On the other hand, in reality the pursuit of wealth and materialism along with relaxed social standards have spoiled this dream. ... Moreover, i...

• Word Count: 1313
• Approx Pages: 5
• Grade Level: High School

American Renaissance Nathaniel Hawthorne's "The Scarlet Letter," belongs to the period known as American romanticism, the period called, by F.O. Matthiessen, the American Renaissance. ... Recent texts have challenged Matthiessen's notion of an American Renaissance, pointing out that the work of major American authors of this period did not occur in a vacuum. ... American romanticism shares a number of characteristics with British romanticism, but it has its own uniquely American characteristics as well, growing as it does from a particularly American brand of religious thought (parti...

• Word Count: 917
• Approx Pages: 4
• Grade Level: Undergraduate

Materialism and Idealism in The Great Gatsby The Great Gatsby by F. ... The American dream relates to a desire for inner and material improvement. ... The materialism in the novel is of more importance to the characters than idealism. ... Another way that Gatsby uses materialism to achieve idealism id through his appearance. ... This book is a perfect example of what is needed to achieve the American dream, materialism and idealism....

• Word Count: 1453
• Approx Pages: 6
• Grade Level: High School

Through "Tropic Of Cancer," Henry Miller also tried to condemn materialism. The story was about the daily life of an American guy in Paris. ... He portrayed New York as a symbol of materialism and Paris as a "Promised Land" of humanity. ... Thus, he portrayed the coldness of materialism by describing New York. ... The publication of "Tropic Of Cancer" in the United States led to a series of obscenity trials that tested American laws on pornography. ...

• Word Count: 1321
• Approx Pages: 5
• Has Bibliography
• Grade Level: High School

What Advertisements Don't Tell You in Their Ads ma •te •ri •al •ism (m -tr - -l z m) n. 1. The theory or attitude that physical well-being and worldly possessions constitute the greatest good and highest value in life. Advertising generates new needs and establishes brand loyal...

• Word Count: 1466
• Approx Pages: 6
• Grade Level: High School

Another angle in the American society that the Port Huron statement opposed was the concept of materialism. ... Materialism and status is important. ... In the document, the SDS discovered a great way to prevent materialism: make money not an issue. ... The statement is clearly directing its speech towards Americans. ... The things that make America great like our individualism, our American dream, our right-fighting students, and our intimidating military power were completely disregarded in the Statement. ...

• Word Count: 876
• Approx Pages: 4
• Grade Level: High School

When Tocqueville first came to America in 1831, the first american ideal that would stand out to him was the equality of social conditions in american society. ... While on his 1831 tour of America, Tocqueville noted the large impact that New England had on the rest of american political culture. ... Even though Tocqueville noted the weakness of the American state, he stated that the strength of the american civil society compensated for it. Tocqueville also found the impact of materialism on the american people fascinating. ... I do draw parallels between the liberal ideals still held in New ...

• Word Count: 625
• Approx Pages: 3
• Grade Level: Undergraduate

The American Dream is seriously flawed The presentation of the ideal of the American Dream is a mixture of contrast and confusion. ... Miller, their portrayals of the American Dream, its risks and dangers. ... This energy and light symbolise the vibrancy of ambition created by the American Dream. ... Both Miller and Fitzgerald emphasise materialism as an increasingly important part of the Dream, with many people inspiring to be wealthy, owning hoards of possessions. ... Here we begin to question her dream, she represents materialism in comparison to Gatsby's "pure" desire to ...

• Word Count: 3225
• Approx Pages: 13
• Grade Level: High School