<p>Think carefully about the issue presented in the following excerpt and the assignment below. </p>
<p>Materialism: it's the thing that everybody loves to hate. Few aspects of modern life have been more criticized than materialism. But let's face it: materialismacquiring possessions and spending moneyis a vital source of meaning and happiness in our time. People may criticize modern society for being too materialistic, but the fact remains that most of us spend most of our energy producing and consuming more and more stuff. </p>
<p>Adapted from James Twitchell, "Two Cheers for Materialism" </p>
<p>Assignment:
Should modern society be criticized for being materialistic? Plan and write an essay in which you develop your point of view on this issue. Support your position with reasoning and examples taken from your reading, studies, experience, or observations. </p>
<p>Essay: </p>
<pre><code> Societies have been revolving around materialism for centuries; almost everything every individual does is driven by the concept of materialism. Society should be harshly criticized for making materialism a vital element in the lives of people. In novels such as The Great Gatsby by F. Scott Fitzgerald and the alchemist by Paulo Coelo, it is proven that materialistic possessions are not a method of happiness or prosperity as thought by many.
In The Great Gatsby, Jay Gatsby was a poor man who was in love with a rich woman, Daisey. Jay wanted to win her heart and marry her, so he decided to augment his materialistic possessions through illegal activities. Later on, he possessed massive fortunes. By the end of the novel, Daisey refused to be with Jay and ran away with her husband instead. Such a materialistic society forced Jay to choose an unacceptable path in life. In addition, Jay's fortune did not lead him to satisfaction or content.
Unlike Jay Gatsby in the previous example, the boy in The Alchemist chose a non-materialistic route in his life. He let go of all his possessions and his fancy way of living and traded it for doing what he loves, which is being a sherpherd. He lived in the ruins of the church and eandered around. He traveled hundreds of miles just to know the meaning of alchemism and the interpretation of a dream. This boy found his true love and his inner content through his way of living. Despite not owning any properties or materialistic possessions, he was was truly satisfied. He chose a completely different route from the one a society would normally direct you to choose, which is the route of materialism, and he found prosperity there.
Society holds a completely negative flaw within it, which is materialism. This flow is influencing the actions and goals of all the individuals. It is also giving the people a false idea about the definition of happiness.
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<p>*Dont only grade it, but also give me tips and point out things that i should improve.</p>