Power and the American Dream Gatsbys humble beginning as a poor farmer was the opposite of the person he wanted to become His ambitious mindset to become rich drove him to illegality to gain his wealth and to win the over the heart of his past lover To Gatsby the pursue of the American Dream ID: 684193
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Conspicuous Consumption
John, Kenric, Mike, AmandaSlide2
Power and the American Dream
Gatsby's humble beginning as a poor farmer was the opposite of the person he wanted to become. His ambitious mindset to become rich drove him to illegality to gain his wealth and to win the over the heart of his past lover. To Gatsby the pursue of the American Dream meant to gain power no matter the consequences. This power was evident through his material wealth and conspicuous consumption. Leisure in the Great Gatsby, represented death. In Gatsby's case his leisure time allowed George Wilson to have him in a vulnerable position.Slide3
Conspicuous consumption
This term is describing those who buy expensive items to show wealth and income instead of covering their real needs These types of flashy consumers use such ways to elevate their social status. Veblen characterizes this society by wasted time and money Slide4
Material Wealth
In the story "Conspicuous Consumption" material wealth is shown to be very important and powerful
"He consumes freely and of the best, in food, drink, narcotics, shelter, services, ornaments, apparel, weapons, and accouterments, amusements, amulets, and idols or divinities" (Veblen 55).
It is portrayed that being wealthy has many advantages, and the more wealthy you are, the better off you are. Slide5
Material Wealth
"Conspicuous consumption of valuable goods is a means of reputability to the gentleman of leisure" (Veblen 56).
Material wealth is all about reputation. The more valuable goods you have and the more you purchase, the higher class you in. Being in a higher class shows power and importance.Slide6
Leisure
Leisure- the use of free time for enjoyment Gentleman of leisure- a man of independent means or whose time is free from obligations to othersLeisure is shown throughout the short story as something created by the wealthy who live by monetary lifestyleSlide7
Leisure
"As wealth accumulates, the leisure class develops further in function and structure, and there arises a differentiation within the class. There is more or less elaborate system of rank and grades.. This differentiation is furthered by the inheritance of wealth and the consequent inheritance of gentility" (Veblen 58).
Leisure begins to grow as wealth also increases. Leisure being free time to spend on unnecessary goods, becomes a symbol of of the importance of higher social status. Veblen uses words like "rank" to show how much status mattered in society during this time. He also acknowledges the fact that leisure differentiates depending on how wealth is achieved.