Many people go into casinos with a game plan thinking once they double their money or once they win anything at all, they will get up and walk out the doors. They don’t, for a second, think that. They will go into the casino and lose an entire paycheck. Thousands of people across the nation are in an enormous amount of debt because they have no self control and they have a gambling addiction.
The obsession with social hierarchy drives people to be selfish and greedy- never happy with what they have. At the same time, there are many people like Gatsby today who feel they have to cheat their way to the top to be happy, like so many corporate giants who have schemed for years and stole billions of dollars from innocent, but maybe slightly naïve taxpayers. Both kinds of people have lost the sense of the American dream. Originally people just wanted a perfect but humble life: a loving, close-knit family, a steady paying job, and ultimately pure happiness. But once people see that it is possible to have much more than that, they begin to get covetous and only want more.
Hollow Dreams After World War I, financial and social opportunities were substantial for anyone willing to work hard. This lead to people pursuing dreams of wealth, which they thought would lead to pleasure. Illegal activities such as “bootlegging” were very common, as well as gambling, like when the 1919 World Series was fixed. Little did they know, these dreams wouldn’t lead them to happiness. In Fitzgerald’s The Great Gatsby, he uses characterization to suggest that chasing hollow dreams leads only to misery.
After the First World War or “the war to end all wars”, the whole world thrived with prosperity. New inventions and industries that were damaged by the war kicked off and then came the “roaring 20’s”. The 20’s brought great riches and prosperity to many. Some people developed a fortune and new life for themself. However contrary to they’re lavish lifestyle these people who acquired new wealth were seen as unworthy to the wealthy community in America (the “old rich”) and were shunned by the click of wealthy Americans who were born into they’re materialistic lifestyle.
They are told that if they throw large chunks of money into these businesses they will double, triple, or even quadruple what they put into it. More often than not they never hear from that person they gave money to again. Athletes that do face these financial problems often don’t know how to fix the problem. They have spent their entire life having things given to them. When their funds run low and the desperation process begins, they spend all their remaining money investing in failing businesses trying to make a quick buck.
Luke Troutman Mrs. B.L. Honors English III September 30, 2008 Wealth Overcomes Love In The Great Gatsby; Tom, Daisy, and Myrtle’s desire for wealth prohibits them from developing substantial relationships. Living a lavish lifestyle, with constant happiness keeps them from actually loving a person for who they are, not how they live. This shows a want for happiness in men, or women, and how they forget about love to obtain happiness and worldly possessions. Since he was a child Tom had always been wealthy acquiring everything he desired causing him to act childishly always wanting his way and to become wealthier.
An example of this could be social security benefits. These motivations help the company recruit top level employees and increase their overall productivity. But this can be a trade-off as these benefits and rewards can be costly. Takeaway 2 - Corporate Culture, Human Resources, and Ethics Zappos is a great example of a company that has created a lively atmosphere for their workers through their casual working environment. But another takeaway is that this type of culture is not compatible with many companies.
Though out the entire the book, Fitzgerald uses many symbolism to guide the readers to have a better understanding about the American Dream. The fact of having lots of money, wear nice clothes and ride on a fancy car, live in a big house, served by hundreds of servants and a happy life with the loved ones. This also shows that no matter how bad the background, the past of she/ he is, but by the hard efforts and hardworking, can become successful in life. Gatsby in the novel is a great example. He have everything that a man could dream of.
The great thought of been wealthy and having luxurious objects excites oneself.This idea that materialistic things are going to make us happy can be a disappointing to those who have it all (money,cars,women ) and are still not happy .Media gives us a fake or rather an illusion of what we need ,what we desire ,what we love .We all want to be successful and have a life just like Jay Gatsby ,to be known as a hero and to be know as a wealthy successful person . But is that all we are in this world for ? is that all that our heart and body really wants? , or is that something that our mind has been forced with all this media .When we die would people come to our funeral because its in their heart or because it will benefit their pocket. I feel like the way the book was written was for the reader to really get a sense of the life that The Gatsby was living , the amount of people who knew him or off him .
Feeling helpless due to the economy they become addicted to claiming help from other sources other than themselves because it just seems easier. Thomas argues,” Anyone who thinks dysfunctional government is going to help their dreams is putting their faith in the wrong place.” In other words, the government cannot help everyone. Instead we should but putting our faith into ourselves. We are what makes America today, and if we don’t like it, then maybe we should take action and change it. If we were to start by supporting small business, we would be creating more employment, and keeping money in the community.