The Great Gatsby
What theme is demonstrated by the Buchanans retreating into their wealth after Gatsby’s death?
Materialism
What drives the lifestyle of Jordan Belfort and his colleagues in The Wolf of Wall Street?
The relentless pursuit of money and status.
According to Khan and McNeal, what is the main character’s measure of self-worth in Dream City?
money and corporate success
Why did Gatsby change his name from James Gatz?
To sound like someone from old money.
What does Jordan Belfort’s "Not Leaving" speech symbolize?
His obsession with wealth and unwillingness to abandon his materialistic empire.
Finish this quote: “Dream City takes on a system motivated by __________ greed.”
Aspirational
This character is described as having a "voice full of money."
Daisy Buchanan
How does The Wolf of Wall Street critique the excesses of modern capitalism?
By exposing the emptiness beneath wealth, the destruction of relationships, and the moral costs of greed.
What does the phrase “puts a price tag on everything at the expense of humane values” critique?
Society’s prioritization of wealth over morality.
How does the novel critique the materialism of the 1920s?
By showing how the pursuit of wealth corrupts personal relationships and moral values.
What emotion or consequence does the movie portray as the cost of Jordan Belfort's relentless pursuit of wealth?
Strained relationships and moral decay.
How does CD Reinhart model his behavior after others, similar to Gatsby?
He idolizes a business mogul, just as Gatsby idealizes Daisy and wealth.
Finish the quote: “It was all very careless and confused. They were careless people, Tom and Daisy—they smashed up things and creatures and then...”
"...retreated back into their money or their vast carelessness"
How is The Wolf of Wall Street described as a cautionary tale about materialism?
It warns against prioritizing material gain over morality and human emotions.
How does Dream City compare the corporate ladder to a casino?
Both systems exploit participants and prioritize profit over fairness or humanity.