F. Scott Fitzgerald and Wealth
Courtney Davis
January 30, 2015
AP Lang
Definition Rough Draft
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Wealth is defined in the Webster Dictionary as a state of being rich and having material
prosperity. When asking who is the wealthiest person alive, people will most likely respond by saying Bill Gates or Oprah Winfrey. Why does wealth have to be related to materials and money? These things only bring out the worst in everybody. Wealth shouldn't be measured by how many bills are in ones wallet but rather the prosperity and happiness one has.
Societies definition of wealth makes a “wealthy” person seem like they have everything going for them. However, the fact of the matter is that “wealth” creates jealousy and greed. For instance, I really wanted the new iphone 5, and once I got it I wanted the iphone 6. There is never an end to the list of things that people want. Materials may satisfy people for a day, but in the long run people are left feeling empty. It becomes an obsessive cycle only creating greed.
Buddha stated, “He who envies others does not obtain peace of mind.” Jealousness of other people’s money is what makes people steal and commit other disgraceful acts. Without this system, crime would decrease significantly. People are always associating wealth to money but it doesn't have to be a negative term.
Last year I read a book, The Great Gatsby by Scott Fitzgerald, in which Jay Gatsby becomes rich overnight. Gatsby believed that the “wealth” would help him win the love of his life, Daisy. However, once he died for Daisy, she didn't even come to his funeral because she was scared of others opinions. He seemed to think that “wealth” would solve all of his problems,
but he went after the wrong kind of wealth. All Gatsby needed to “fill his emptiness” was wealth of love and someone who cared about him.
People tend to think that the more money they have, the farther they will go in life. One may have a miserable, well paying job. What personal values does this have on life? At the end
January 30, 2015
AP Lang
Definition Rough Draft
!
!
!
!
Wealth is defined in the Webster Dictionary as a state of being rich and having material
prosperity. When asking who is the wealthiest person alive, people will most likely respond by saying Bill Gates or Oprah Winfrey. Why does wealth have to be related to materials and money? These things only bring out the worst in everybody. Wealth shouldn't be measured by how many bills are in ones wallet but rather the prosperity and happiness one has.
Societies definition of wealth makes a “wealthy” person seem like they have everything going for them. However, the fact of the matter is that “wealth” creates jealousy and greed. For instance, I really wanted the new iphone 5, and once I got it I wanted the iphone 6. There is never an end to the list of things that people want. Materials may satisfy people for a day, but in the long run people are left feeling empty. It becomes an obsessive cycle only creating greed.
Buddha stated, “He who envies others does not obtain peace of mind.” Jealousness of other people’s money is what makes people steal and commit other disgraceful acts. Without this system, crime would decrease significantly. People are always associating wealth to money but it doesn't have to be a negative term.
Last year I read a book, The Great Gatsby by Scott Fitzgerald, in which Jay Gatsby becomes rich overnight. Gatsby believed that the “wealth” would help him win the love of his life, Daisy. However, once he died for Daisy, she didn't even come to his funeral because she was scared of others opinions. He seemed to think that “wealth” would solve all of his problems,
but he went after the wrong kind of wealth. All Gatsby needed to “fill his emptiness” was wealth of love and someone who cared about him.
People tend to think that the more money they have, the farther they will go in life. One may have a miserable, well paying job. What personal values does this have on life? At the end