Wealth-Definition Essay
Expository Writing
1 November 2013
Wealth
Fame, fortune, and extravagant lifestyles, we all desire them in certain ways, but what is it that makes a person truly feel wealthy? Wealth as defined by Merriam-Webster is (noun) 1. a large amount of money and possessions, 2. abundance of valuable material possessions or resources, 3. abundant supply, and 4. all property that has a money value or an exchangeable value. It originally comes from the 13th century: from Middle English welthe, from wele weal. In this day and age most Americans view wealth as the first definition, a large amount of money and possessions. How wealthy you are is typically a measure of how big your house is, what kind of car you drive, and how much money you make annually. Where do we get our impressions of wealth? When does a person think they have enough money? Is wealth more than just a monetary value? My impression of wealth has a certain monetary value to it, but also transcends it with family values, friendship, and quality of life.
“A lot of celebrities just want money, fame, power, fancy cars, houses all over the world and have people bow down to them. To me, that 's frightful behavior.” — Shirley Manson
Shirley Ann Manson is best known internationally as the lead vocalist of the alternative rock band Garbage, and even though she is wealthy, her view on wealth seem to be that of a regular person. Our impressions of wealth, I think, are a product of upbringing and exposure to society. Through my upbringing, my parents started out with a limited military income, and they eventually climbed their way up to a more comfortable middle-class lifestyle. The view point I now carry stems from that middle-class exposure to the world. The media constantly exploits and broadcasts the life of luxury to millions of people every day. Who has not seen MTV Cribs, the latest news about Kim Kardashian, or some report of a well-known movie star or athlete buying
1 November 2013
Wealth
Fame, fortune, and extravagant lifestyles, we all desire them in certain ways, but what is it that makes a person truly feel wealthy? Wealth as defined by Merriam-Webster is (noun) 1. a large amount of money and possessions, 2. abundance of valuable material possessions or resources, 3. abundant supply, and 4. all property that has a money value or an exchangeable value. It originally comes from the 13th century: from Middle English welthe, from wele weal. In this day and age most Americans view wealth as the first definition, a large amount of money and possessions. How wealthy you are is typically a measure of how big your house is, what kind of car you drive, and how much money you make annually. Where do we get our impressions of wealth? When does a person think they have enough money? Is wealth more than just a monetary value? My impression of wealth has a certain monetary value to it, but also transcends it with family values, friendship, and quality of life.
“A lot of celebrities just want money, fame, power, fancy cars, houses all over the world and have people bow down to them. To me, that 's frightful behavior.” — Shirley Manson
Shirley Ann Manson is best known internationally as the lead vocalist of the alternative rock band Garbage, and even though she is wealthy, her view on wealth seem to be that of a regular person. Our impressions of wealth, I think, are a product of upbringing and exposure to society. Through my upbringing, my parents started out with a limited military income, and they eventually climbed their way up to a more comfortable middle-class lifestyle. The view point I now carry stems from that middle-class exposure to the world. The media constantly exploits and broadcasts the life of luxury to millions of people every day. Who has not seen MTV Cribs, the latest news about Kim Kardashian, or some report of a well-known movie star or athlete buying
Cited: N.d. TS. Victorias Writing Portfolio. 8 Sept. 2011. Web. 01 Nov. 2013. BrainyQuote. Digital image. BrainyQuote. Xplore, n.d. Web. 01 Nov. 2013. "Wealth." Merriam-Webster. Merriam-Webster, n.d. Web. 01 Nov. 2013. "Billy Graham." Wikipedia. Wikimedia Foundation, 11 Jan. 2013. Web. 01 Nov. 2013. "Shirley Manson." Wikipedia. Wikimedia Foundation, 27 Oct. 2013. Web. 01 Nov. 2013. "Benjamin Franklin." Wikipedia. Wikimedia Foundation, 31 Oct. 2013. Web. 01 Nov. 2013.