Which character is the most materialistic?
Daisy is the most materialistic character in this novel. This is exhibited throughout the entire novel. One of the most influencial choices that Daisy made because of this quality was when she married Tom Buchanan. When Daisy was young she had a very extravagant, wild life and met a lot of boys. Jay Gatsby was one of them. Daisy fell in love with Gatsby but refused to marry him because he was poor. Gatsby then went off to war and Daisy met Tom. She married him despite the fact that she still loved Gatsby. The only reason for doing this was because Tom was rich and Gatsby was not. Money is very high on her list of priorities.
After their marriage, the Buchanans moved all over the world simply for the sake of moving. They bought a very grand house on East Egg, flaunting their extensive wealth. They associated with very high class people, such as Jordan Baker. Along with their massive house, they own a great deal of land, a couple of cars, as well as a stable and horses. The fact that they live on East Egg in the first place is indicative of their materialism. East Egg is where the wealthiest, oldest, and most prominent families live.
Daisy is also very easily impressed by great shows of wealth. She is awed by Gatsby's house, his parties, and the people who attend them. Daisy's clothes and possessions are also a sign of her materialistic personality. She wears very elegant clothes, has beautiful furniture, and owns just about everything else you could imagine. If she doesn' t own something she could, undoubtedly, still afford it.
At the end of the novel, even though she has already confessed to loving Gatsby and has openly admitted that she is going to leave Tom, Daisy still stays with her husband. They move again to escape the situation entirely. Gatsby is then killed and Daisy does not know, nor would she do very much about it if she did know. Even though the man she truly loved was within her grasp, she stayed with Tom because he was rich. Gatsby was rich as well. However, Tom's wealth was well founded as Gatsby's was not. She knew that, years later, Tom's money would still be there. There was no guarantee that Gatsby's money would be there as well. It was obtained relatively quickly through ill measures and could be spent just as quickly as it had come. She would the be out of luck, with a man she loved but no money. Daisy could not have survived that way.
Gatsby is the most materialistic character in the novel because he actively seeks wealth, first as a young man for himself, and later to impress Daisy. In his youth, he geared his life toward success by forming a routine that would culture him. His ambitions eventually led him to Dan Cody and his first forays into an indulgent life.
When he meets Daisy, his focus becomes entwined with his vision of her. His sole purpose is centered around obtaining enough worldly riches to ensnare her. He seems to have even reverted to some uncouth methods of gaining his money.
The zenith of his efforts is the house across from Daisy's dock, adorned with glittering objects and people to attract her attentions, but when it comes under scrutiny of her eyes, it loses what value it had to him. He takes much pleasure in displaying his extravagant possessions to her and treasures her admiration for them.
In the end though, he cannot erase her past simply with his money, and he finds himself alone in his vast, empty house.
Notable Quotes
Gatsby Links
Gatsby Character Analysis
Daisy Character Analysis
Metaphors in the Novel
Theme Analysis
