The power of money in The Great GatsbyEx-President Jimmy Carter knows both the power and the limits of money. He is also aware that the acquisition of money or material wealth is not a worthy goal. This was made clear in his address to the American people when he said: "Our great cities and our mighty buildings will be of no use to us if we lack the spiritual strength to subject mere objects to the higher purposes of mankind » (Harnsberger 14). In F. Scott Fitzgerald's novel, The Great Gatsby, the author clearly illustrates that Jay Gatsby does not understand the limits of the power of money. Gatsby believes that money can recreate the past, buy him happiness, and allow him to climb the social ladder in the eminent East Egg. Jay Gatsby believes he can buy happiness; and this manifests itself through his house, his clothes, and through Daisy. He owns much of the finances thanks to a mysterious source of wealth, and he uses this mysterious source to buy his house, his clothes, and Daisy. Gatsby's house, as Fitzgerald describes it, is "a factual imitation of a Normandy town hall, with a tower on one side, brand new under a fine beard of raw ivy, a marble swimming pool and more than forty acres of lawn.” and garden” (Fitzgerald 9). This house, as Fitzgerald fabulously illuminates, is an immaculate symbol of Gatsby's incalculable income. “The house he feels he needs to gain happiness” (Bewley 24) is an elegant mansion; one which an excellent symbol of carefreeness is displayed and is part of Gatsby's very personality. Every Monday after a party, this house is run by eight servants. It has its own front door and is large enough to accommodate hundreds of people at a time. His recklessness... middle of paper... his willingness to submit mere objects to the higher purposes of humanity" (Harnsberger 14). Works CitedBewley, Marious. "Scott Fitzgerald Critics of America." F. Scott Fitzgerald. Ed. Arthur Mizener. Englewood Cliffs, New Jersey: Prentice-Hall, 1963. Bruccoli, Matthew J. Preface By F. Scott Fitzgerald New York: Simon & Schuster, 1995. vii-xvi, Malcom. » New Jersey: Prentice-Hall, 1963. Fitzgerald, F. Scott 1925. New York: Simon & Schuster, 1995. Harnsberger, Caroline Thomas, ed. Chicago: Follett, 1994. Lehan, Richard. of Wonder. Boston: Twayne Publishers, 1990. Piper, Henry Dan ed. The Novel, Reviews, Context: Charles Scribner's Sons., 1970