F. Scott Fitzgerald's novel The Great Gatsby (1925) is set during the American economic boom that followed World War I in the 1920s. In this era, America increased its economic power and promised economic opportunity for all. However, unlike his contemporaries, Fitzgerald does not build his novel on the glorification of the representation of capitalist culture, but instead serves as a Marxist interpretation of this era. Through his characterization of the upper class, Fitzgerald, builds his novel on the central theme of the vacuity and superficiality of the upper class through his subtle use of commodification. Of the many examples of commodification within this novel, one of the most effective in supporting this theme is through Tom Buchanan's construction of Fitzgerald's character. For Tom, his worldview is established in relation to his money and everything, including people, are commodities to him. This can be seen clearly through Tom's relationship with women within the novel. Tom's marriage to Daisy is a commodity, as his money and power are exchanged for her beauty, youth, and social status. Tom also uses money and class to figuratively "buy" many of the women he has affairs with, such as Myrtle Wilson. Fitzgerald also characterizes Tom as showing ownership over the women he has relationships with, especially when it becomes apparent that Daisy and Myrtle "[are] escaping his control". (119) Tom then responds with “hot lashes of panic,” (119) demonstrating that Tom views these women as possessions. Tom's commodified view of human relationships is further supported by his consistent choice of working-class women with whom his "marketing" of social status and wealth is most effective. Daisy's relationship with Gatsby is... middle of the paper... ...”, describes the beginning of Gatsby's chase, towards a lifestyle and social status of which he is not a part, with the possession of Daisy as the final goal. For Gatsby, getting Daisy is the sign that he has truly entered the upper class and is the ultimate commodity that would allow, in Gatsby's eyes, his "new money" to be laundered as "old." In summary, the characterization used by Fitzgerald throughout this novel strongly supports the theme of the vacuity and superficiality of the upper class and the idea that "you are what you have." This novel shows how materialistic wealth is valued over morality by the upper class in the 1920s. Although this novel is a direct commentary on the social status of America during the post-war economic boom, the ideals and social commentary are still relevant in our current society and thus make The Great Gatsby a definitive novel..