Do you Wanna Build a Snowman?

Looking at the two most recent Fitzgerald pieces we've read, there is a recurring theme throughout both stories. Materialism is a form of blinding corruption which ignites inevitable destruction and, consequently, leaves no memorable trace of existence. Humans tend to be attracted by greed and wealth. That tendency is evident in both the Great Gatsby and The Diamond as Big as the Ritz. Gatsby and Braddock were both blinded by their dreams of achieving ultimate wealth. While Gatsby's dream was directed in his pursuing of the wealthy and beautiful Daisy, Braddock's dream was reflected in his preservation of his family secret: the diamond mountain of wealth. His aim was to continue the legacy as the "richest man in the world." They were overwhelmed by their own goals, and their own greed eventually took them over.

Materialism is seen everywhere in society today. Teens come back from Black Friday and go around saying things like, "Hey! Look who just got the iPhone 6s!" "I wasn't sure whether to get those brown Uggs or the Hunters" "Ooo I love the parka in your Instagram pic!"People are so focused on material needs these days and forget to address the values that are actually important in life. Not only teens, but also adults try to fit in the material standards society has created. People don't want to be labeled as cheap or the less rich. If society doesn't inflict this standard on us, would people still want to have the hottest new phone or boots? Probably not. Similarly to beauty standards, wealth and material standards place people into classes of various levels to assume dominance over the inferior. In celebration of the first snow day of this school year, why don't we all drop our phones and go out to build a snowman!