For centuries philosophers and freethinkers have pondered about the relationship between ownership and self.

What does it mean to own? The famous philosopher Plato argued that owning objects were detrimental to character, while on the other hand Aristotle advocated for the inverse. However ownership should extend to tangible and intangible goods. Furthermore to own not only means merely possessing but also to have made that tangible or intangible quality a part of ones self; in other words, what one owns often defines the identity of one. This universal notion is exemplified through Fitzgeralds novel, The Great Gatsby. Set in the roaring twenties, which was a time of great materialism, what one possessed often reflected ones personalities. For example, Gatsby, one of the main characters, owned plenty but he continued to strive for more; he was the perfect example of the consumerism of the roaring twenties. By possessing a multitude of cars, an alluring mansion, and plenty of money Gatsby was able to better define himself and set an identity. He aspired to be one with the aristocracy, and that is exactly what he was perceived as. At the apex of his wealth, people gossiped about his supposed royal upbringings and so on. However, as soon as Gatsby died and lost his physical entities, his high class identity faded along with him. Another example in the novel about ownership defining ones identity is present in the narrator, nick. Nick was a middle class citizen and owned nothing glamorous and as a result no one clamored about him or lauded him. These two situations illustrate how what one owns often defines the identity and perception of them by their peers. Not only does ownership reflect others perception of one but also our own perception of us. This relationship between ownership and self is further exemplified in Lance Armstrong. Because of his several Tour de France cups and excellent track record Armstrong, a world class cyclist was identified as a winner subsequently a role model. All of the tangible trophies and

intangible skills he owned defined him. However, his reputation and identity would be forever changed with the doping scandal of 2012. From the Snap of a finger, Armstrongs identity changed drastically. After having his achievements and accolades stripped away, Armstrong, a former world class athlete, became synonymous with cheater, loser. It is amazing how drastically one extreme can transform into the other. Because his ownership of the tangible accolades and intangible skills were discredited, Armstrong lost his former identity of a world class athlete and peoples perception of him changed. His ownership of those entities formerly defined him, however, now without them his identity has fallen from grace. In conclusion, what one owns or possess tangible or not, often defines the identity of one. Athletes and entrepreneurs are revered because of their tangible and intangible qualities; however, once taken away or discredited, ones identity and sense of self often transforms drastically as seen in the novel, The Great Gatsby by Fitzgerald, and the former star athlete, Lance Armstrong.