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Essay / Research Paper Abstract
A 4 page paper which examines the positive sides of materialism and what it can offer as seen through F. Scott Fitzgerald’s “The Great Gatsby” and J.D. Salinger’s “Catcher in the Rye.” Bibliography lists 8 additional sources.
Page Count:
4 pages (~225 words per page)
File: JR7_RAgatrye.rtf
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Unformatted sample text from the term paper:
with characters who are struggling to find balance, and a place, in their given society. In both novels there is a sense that the society offers great possibilities, but that
pitfalls are numerous. One of those obvious pitfalls is materialism. The student requesting this essay indicates that, "The Virtuous materialism of the American dream envisaged the establishment of a new
order of universal prosperity which would not corrupt but would energize the soul, freeing man for higher and finer things." The following paper examines how this is addressed in Fitzgerald
and Salingers novels. Materialism In Salingers work we often read how Holden refers to many people as phony. In many ways this is reflective of his attitude about
materialism, and Holden possesses a "disdain of materialism" (The Catcher in the Rye: Review Notes). For example, one character, Mr. Ossenburger "came up to school in this big goddam Cadillac,
and we all had to stand up in the grandstand and give him a locomotive - thats a cheer." Holden calls him a phony because Ossenburger seems obsessed with making
money" (Phoniness in Everyday Life: An Issue for Us as it was for Holden Caulfield). In Fitzgeralds work there is never really this sort of outright attack on people
with money, as the underlying theme is that which revolves around Gatsby using the pursuit of money, and the acquisition of money, to help him win Daisy. Gatsbys obsession with
her is, according to one author, "nothing more than Daisys obsession with materialistic values...Gatsby gives her a strategic tour of his mansion, making sure that she is completely struck by
his wealth, which she is" and hoping this will win her love, which it ultimately does not (A Thematic analysis of F. Scott Fitzgeralds "The Great Gatsby"). In Salingers
...