"The Standard of Living" - by Dorothy Parker.

Essay by ZengaHigh School, 12th grade December 2007

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What is Dorothy Parker suggesting to readers regarding the values, dreams, and aspirations in today's materialistic society? The story "Standard of Living" makes some strong statements about the values of todays society. Annabel and Midge are obsessed with money. The girls spend countless hours fantasizing about being millionaires and trying to emulate those that are. Their love of money is not only fueled by the materialistic products they can buy with it, but by the envy they get from others that thing Annabel and Midge have money, and the power that comes with that envy.

The setting of Fifth Avenue in New York, NY, is a key element in the story. Fifth Avenue is not just lined with high priced stores, it's world famous for shopping; A perfect setting for two chauvinistic characters such as Midge and Annabel. Not only is Fifth Avenue one of the most expensive places to shop, but it has glamor and fame attached to it.

Its not just the best, it is the best of the best, which is of course what rich people expect. Despite having poverty ridden life, the girls put an astounding amount of emphasis on trying to look rich. They eat the food that a wealthy person would eat, but the cheap knock of version. With todays society valuing money above almost everything else, people who have it (or like to pretend they have it) will sometimes develop an inflated sense of entitlement. The girls feel entitled to treat others as inferior people, whether they be walking with their noses in the air, or going through men faster than socks. The $250 000 emerald and pearl necklace is another key element. The necklace was glamorous. It was something that would definitely lead people to believe that they were better than...