Thanksgiving started out as a meal between the Native Americans and the pilgrims as a peace agreement; for Americans, it is a representation of being thankful .
Yesterday, at a Thanksgiving gathering, I was sitting on the couch after consuming a large meal of turkey, mashed potatoes and more pumpkin pie than can be imagined, when I saw some of the kids sitting in front of the fireplace. As I looked closer, I realized that they had clasped their hands together and were praying to God about what they were thankful for. I then took a look at the adults. While the kids were praying, their parents were laughing and eating. To my surprise, the children embraced the true meaning of Thanksgiving better than their parents. As time has passed, the meaning of Thanksgiving has changed.
Thanksgiving has turned into a time for people to eat and socialize instead of a time to be thankful. This is not necessarily a bad thing. However, this goes to show how what something stands for can transform.
This phenomenon is also evident in a book I am reading called The Great Gatsby by F.Scott Fitzgerald. What wealth meant to Jay Gatsby when he was poor changes when he finally becomes wealthy. To the once poor Gatsby, wealth was the one thing that he needed to have in order to be with the lovely and affluent Daisy. After gaining his long anticipated wealth, Gatsby still does not get the girl. In the end, nothing has changed and his dream is crushed. Therefore, wealth loses its meaning of hope and Gatsby is a miserable man despite his wonderful fortune.
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