Materialism and Decadence in the 1920s

The economic boom of the 1920s was created through an increase of production, the promotion of a free market and the introduction of purchasing
on credit. This led to a culture of materialism and decadence, which serves as a major theme in The Great Gatsby.
Instructions: As we watch the film The Great Gatsby, consider the representations of materialism and decadence that appear in both the novel and
the film. Fill in the following chart with the character assigned to your group, and of an event of your choice. You will use evidence from Chapters 1-4
for your analysis. When you are finished, upload this chart to your weebly blog.

Character Analysis
Character Name and Description:

Conflict: Man vs. Man

Analysis and Connection to Theme:

Daisy

Daisy has a conflict with Tom. They are

both not happy about the marriage. Tom has
this habit of not settling down in one place or
with one person. Hes just insatiable. As his
wife, Daisy tries to act as if nothing is
happening between them to save her and
Toms faces since they both have a high status
(from money), and people look up to them. Its
their job to act like they have the perfect life.
Daisy is getting married to Tom, and he gave
her all these valuable stuff to represent his love
for her. His love is more materialistic than
emotions.

Materialism - Tom uses pearls and jewels to

declare his love for Daisy. The value of love
shouldnt be measured by how much money he
could give to her. He uses objects and
materials to express love, other than his
actions. In June she married Tom Buchanan
of Chicago with more pomp and circumstance
than Louisville ever knew before. He came
down with a hundred people in four private
cars and hired a whole car of the Seelbach
Hotel, and the day before the wedding he gave
her a string of pearls valued at three hundred
and fifty thousand dollars. pg. 82

Charming
Beautiful
Delicate
Perfect
Beautiful little fool

Decadence- Since young, she lives a

luxurious life. The largest of the banners and
the largest of the lawns belonged to Daisy
Fays house. She was just eighteen, two years
older than me, and by far the most popular of
all the young girls in Louisville. She dressed in
white, and had a little white roadster and all
day long the telephone rang in her house and
excited young officers from Camp Taylor

demanded the privilege of monopolizing her

that night, anyways, for an hour! pg. 80-81
Everything about her just screams decadent.

Analysis of Events
Event and Description:

Textual Evidence:

Analysis and Connection to Theme:

After dinner, Daisy talked with Nick about what

she had thought. She claims that even Nick
that was her cousin still did not understand her
feelings. She come up with the story of her
daughter; she woke up and ask the nurse was
it a boy or a girl.

Well, Ive had a very bad time, Nick, and Im

pretty cynical about everything.
Evidently she had reason to be. I waited but
she didnt say any more, and after a moment I
returned rather feebly to the subject of her
daughter.
I suppose she talks, andeats, and
everything.
Oh, yes. She looked at me absently. Listen,
Nick; let me tell you what I said when she was
born. Would you like to hear?
Very much.
Itll show you how Ive gotten to feel
aboutthings. Well, she was less than an hour
old and Tom was God knows where. I woke up
out of the ether with an utterly abandoned
feeling and asked the nurse right away if it was
a boy or a girl. She told me it was a girl, and so
I turned my head away and wept. All right, I
said, Im glad its a girl. And I hope shell be a
foolthats the best thing a girl can be in this
world, a beautiful little fool.

Materialism- The child represents

materialism. The society would expect a son,
since at the time, boys are way more superior
than girls. The boys would play a big part in the
society while the girls are just there for
decoration. The best thing they could be in
this world is a beautiful little fool.
Decadence- She is Toms wife, therefore she
is rich. In June she married Tom Buchanan of
Chicago with more pomp and circumstance
than Louisville ever knew before. He came
down with a hundred people in four private
cars and hired a whole car of the Seelbach
Hotel, and the day before the wedding he gave
her a string of pearls valued at three hundred
and fifty thousand dollars. pg. 82 These
nobles are known to be filthy rich, especially if
they live in East Egg since theyre old money,
and they spend as much money as they would
want.