The Last Dance

America, the land of the free. A land flooded with opportunities, where we value the freedom of speech, press, and religion. Where we value the people and their rights. Or at least that's what many want to think. In reality, this country's true values aren't the wellbeing of its citizens, but a more selfish truth. The real motivation is to accumulate as much money as possible, then show it off. Since the U.S. values wealth so strongly, many Americans value materialism more than personal relationships.

The most important and impactful value of the U.S. is money and wealth. This is shown in the short story The Rich Brother, at the very beginning of the story. When first introducing the main characters, it is said that “Pete worked hard and made a lot of money, but not any more than he thought he deserved” (73). This is the first thing said about Pete, and really shows his personality and what he values the most. The first thing it says is that he was a hard worker, which is something to be valued for. Secondly, it says that he made a lot of money from that hard work. It's good to earn money from hard work, but there are many other things you gain by working hard. Things like talent, respect, or the power to do good. But Pete's main focus is on the money that he believes he deserves, possibly more than other people. This is also shown in The Great Gatsby when Gatsby is standing outside with Nick and Tom waiting to go into the city. He hears Daisy talk and realizes, “It was full of money- that was the inexhaustible charm that rose and fell in it, the jingle of it, the cymbals' song of it… high in a white palace the king’s daughter, the golden girl…” (120). Daisy was a symbol of wealth and it’s what Tom and Gatsby want. She is a trophy that symbolizes the best and wealthiest man. In order to get her, you need money, that means whoever has her has it. Color is something that is really important in this book, and Daisy is described using both white and gold. These are both the colors of a Daisy, showing she was named after what she is a symbol of, poise and wealth. Both of these colors symbolize wealth in a way and that is what Daisy is, and what both of these men desire the most out of anything, wealth. The main characters of both of these texts both strive for money over everything else. Either by choosing it over family, or spending their whole lives chasing the prize. These are both a reflection on America and its value of money over other things.

Because of this value of wealth, the U.S. is also very materialistic. In the Rich Brother Pete is not just into his money, but also his things. More specifically his cars. According to Donald, Pete has gotten a new car, after just recently getting another one. Donald accidentally spills his drink as he’s getting in, and Pete is not happy. Annoyed, Pete complains “these seats are made of leather. That stain won’t come out, not to mention the smell. I don't see why I can’t have leather seats that smell like leather instead of orange pop” (77). His main focus is on his car and he cares about keeping up the appearance of his car. He clearly cares about keeping it looking good, clean, and new. At this moment, Pete cares more about the appearance of his car than his brother. Another example of this is in The Great Gatsby when Jordan recalls the day before Daisy and Tom's wedding. She speaks about Tom and how “he came down with a hundred people in four private cars, and hired a whole floor of the Seelbach Hotel, and the day before the wedding he gave her a string of pearls valued at three hundred and fifty dollars” (75). All of these things symbolize Tom and Daisy and what their marriage is all about. They both want private cars, entire floors of hotels, and expensive pearls. This is what Daisy was marrying and it's exactly what she wanted. She knew the exact amount that the pearls were worth because that is the thing that she cares about. She cares about the physical objects and their value and wants to show those things off.  All of the physical things that come along with the wealth of Tom. These two texts both provide examples of materialism and choosing nice things over family and love. Both of these characters strongly value material objects, like many who are wealthy. 

The U.S. values many things, but one of the most obvious is money, and from that materialism. This has been true throughout time and is still present today. This is something you can see with lots of Americans, still showing off nice cars, technology, and expensive clothing. Having money makes people feel good and accomplished, and having nice things lets others know about that. This is a theme that is shown through multiple texts that we've read this semester, showing a different side to America that we learn in history class.