At the same time, many of the social restrictions of the early 20th century were being rejected, and progressive movements of all kinds were flourishing. In addition, Gatsby himself also perfectly personifies one who represents all things pertaining to the American Dream: wealth, happiness, and prosperity; he is able to attain his success while chasing after his perfect girl, Daisy. Narrator Nick Carraway is . (9.146). Alongside the juxtaposition of the Midwest and the East, Fitzgerald also reflects the culture of the 1920s with descriptions of Prohibition and the law breaking that came as a result. Women were granted the right to participate in voting. Myrtle feels trapped in her marriage, which pushes her into her affair with Tom Buchanan, an affair which grants her access to a worldNew York City, wealth, partiesshe might not otherwise have access to. Scott Fitzgerald has created a social satire of America in the 1920's in which he exposes the American Dream as being inherently flawed and merely an illusion produced by idealism.This American Dream has been traditionally associated with the pursuit of freedom and equality. (In a uniform she had no idea he was poor, especially given his sophisticated manners). Anyone can read what you share. Subscribe now. The book is narrated by Nick Carraway, who recounts the events of the summer of . The Great Gatsby reflects the emergence of a culture of increased consumerism that is driven by increased economic prosperity. And furthermore, Daisy's willingness to stay with Tom despite his affairs underscores another aspect of women's roles during the 1920s: that divorce was still very uncommon and controversial. The novels narrator illustrates well the increased consumerist culture. "American Culture in the Novel "The Great Gatsby"." These shared ideals include a notion of freedom that ensures all Americans the possibility of upward social mobility, as long as they work for it. Looking for other literary guides? Get the latest articles and test prep tips! Gatsbys failure to attain the American Dream suggests the Dream is both an unattainable and unwise goal. Since speakeasies were already side-stepping the law, they also became places where people of different races and genders could mix and mingle in a way they hadnt previously while enjoying new music like jazz. $24.99 First of all, he makes it clear that he has "an unaffected scorn" for the ultra-rich, and eyes both new money and old money critically. Unfortunately, with regard to The Great Gatsby, this dream dwindled, as materialism, consumerism, and the culture of loosening social morals became the order of the day in the 1920s America. Money (or the lack of it!) Fitzgerald, Scott, and Matthew Bruccoli. Check out our guide to Jay Gatsby for the complete story. on 50-99 accounts. If you don't see it, please check your spam folder. We've written a guide for each test about the top 5 strategies you must be using to have a shot at improving your score. Another post-WWI developmentwas the Harlem Renaissance, acultural, social, and artistic flowering among African Americans that took place in Harlem, NY, during the 1920s. Excited to dive in? On week-ends his Rolls-Royce became an omnibus, bearing parties to and from the city, between nine in the morning and long past midnight, while his station wagon scampered like a brisk yellow bug to meet all trains. Read more about how the American Dream is treated in The Great Gatsby and whether the novel is ultimately optimistic or pessimistic about the dream. The Great Gatsby. Gatsby and his associates such as Wolfsheim engage in illegal dealings (Silver Para. Set in Jazz Age New York, the novel tells the tragic story of Jay Gatsby, a self-made millionaire, and his pursuit of Daisy Buchanan, a wealthy young woman whom he loved in his youth. This is IvyPanda's free database of academic paper samples. Gatsby was born to poor farmer parents in North Dakota, but at 17, determined to become rich, struck out with the wealthy Dan Cody and never looked back (6.5-15). The novel includes Nick's anti-Semitic description of a Jewish character - Meyer Wolfshiem. The production and distributionof alcohol became the province ofbootleggers - the original organized crime syndicates. The characters Fitzgerald portrays represent distinct social groups who ultimately face their own struggles, demonstrating how uncertain the culture of the 1920s really was. In fact, it seems that the accident may have brought them closer. to reacquaint himself with Daisy through massive parties instead prove to be areas where those yearning for liquor could obtain their desired alcohol with little to no regard toward their host; this is exemplified in the fact that Owl Eyes is the only character other than Nick to attend both Gatsbys lavish parties and his funeral. The Great Gatsby, third novel by F. Scott Fitzgerald, published in 1925 by Charles Scribner's Sons. Every character in The Great Gatsby draws inspiration from the American Dreams promise of wealth and prosperity. This analysis can enrich an essay about old money versus new money, the American dream, or even a more straightforward character analysis, or a comparison of two different characters. 4.2 'Aspiration' in The Great Gatsby and 'American Dreams' 4.3 Comparing representations of 'aspiration' in the texts Chapter 5 Comparative study option 2: Human progress 5.1epresenting the concept of 'human progress' R 5.2 'Human progress' in Hidden Figures and poetry by Kathy Jetil-Kijiner Check out our top-rated graduate blogs here: PrepScholar 2013-2018. Understanding historical context helps you in all sorts of ways: Having a richer interpretation of symbols, motifs, and themes. Anne Marie Hacht. My personal culture tree possesses a diverse cultural background as the 'roots', that formed the core and branch values, the values seemed to point towards unity between first nations people and Anglo-Saxon people in Australia since I . They are highly materialistic in nature. Despite not being as wealthy as Tom and Daisy, his second cousin, they see him as enough of a peer to invite him to their home in Chapter 1. Jews also served in the American military during World War I in very high numbers. How about getting full access immediately? Fitzgeralds characters that each selfishly overcome different hardships with corrupt solutions represent the immoral mindset of success-hungry people in the 1920s proving that the culture of Fitzgeralds time was accurately mirrored in his novel. We utilize security vendors that protect and Historical Context Essay: The Great Gatsby and the Jazz Age, Literary Context Essay: Modernism & Realism in The Great Gatsby. Print. America at this time experienced a cultural and lifestyle revolution. Unsuccessful upon publication, the book is now considered a classic of American fiction and has often been . In contrast to 19th century writing that tended to reinforce the status quo, modernism rejected old-fashioned ideas like heroism and moral certitude. (1.14). For the first three years, the U.S. remained neutral, instead profiteering from the war by selling supplies toboth sides of the conflict. In short, money both drives the plot and explains many of the characters' motivations and limitations. Gatsbys parties have a speakeasy feel in that people from different backgrounds and genders freely mix and mingle. This period of women's liberation saw young women with short hair and increased freedoms. Writers are products of their time, so knowing what they would have assumed to be true makes reading their work richer. Get the latest articles and test prep tips! But since Daisy is flighty and inconsistent, Gatsby's comment also suggests that wealth is similarly unstable. In contrast, the old aristocracy possesses grace, taste, subtlety, and elegance, epitomized by the Buchanans tasteful home and the flowing white dresses of Daisy and Jordan Baker. . Myrtle explains that she married George because she thought he was a gentleman, suggesting she hoped hed raise her class status. In 1920s, this figure rose to more than 75 percent. What Does The Great Gatsbys Ending Mean? In 1921 to 1924, the American GDP grew from $ 69bilion to about 93 billion (Woods 213). I'd never understood before. . Jordan temporarily flouts expectations by ""[running] around the country," (1.134) playing golf, and not being in a hurry to marrya freedom that she is allowed because of her money, not in spite of it. New York: Scribner, 2004. The Great Gatsby. That was it. Only after amassing a large fortune does he feel able to make his move. Print. Clearly, having old money sets you far apart from everyone else in the world of the novel. Scott Fitzgerald criticizes the culture of materialism and greed amongst people in the higher social classes. He is a self-made man (in all respects) and as such, is admirable. must. Here, in the aftermath of the novel's carnage, Nick observes that while Myrtle, George, and Gatsby have all died, Tom and Daisy are not punished at all for their recklessness, they can simply retreat "back into their money or their vast carelessness and let other people clean up the mess." We touched on this a bit with the quotes, but all of the characters can be analyzed from the point of view of their wealth and/or how materialistic they are. One woman is not just adequate. He sarcastically describes the "consoling proximity of millionaires" on West Egg and wryly observes Tom and Daisy's restless entitlement on East Egg. Find out more about PrepScholar Admissions now: hbspt.cta._relativeUrls=true;hbspt.cta.load(360031, 'f20994d3-fd87-4c1e-988d-22ad8d920c1a', {"useNewLoader":"true","region":"na1"}); This is an interesting prompt, since you have to comb through passages of Nick's narration to find his comments about money, and then consider what they could mean, given that he comes from money himself. Take the Themes, Motifs, and SymbolsQuick Quiz. As Caraway describes the nature of Gatsbys parties, it is clear that even though Americans enjoyed prosperity that was associated with the jazz age, they also feared its social implications. The public benefited from this increased success. Ask below and we'll reply! The Great Gatsby reflects the trends of the 1920's through the transformation of James Gatz, the differences between the houses in West Egg and East Egg, and the unflattering picture of the era. The rising immorality also explains the cultures of loosening morals in The Great Gatsby. Of course, this did little to actually stem the desire for alcoholic beverages, so a vast underground criminal empire was born to supply this demand. The College Entrance Examination BoardTM does not endorse, nor is it affiliated in any way with the owner or any content of this site. Even Gatsbys all-consuming passion for Daisy seems more of a desire to possess something unattainable than actual love. However, jumping up beyond her roots, using Tom's money, is ultimately unsustainableher husband finds out and threatens to move out west, and then of course she is killed by Daisy before they can make that move. The journey to reaching a fulfilling life and the American Dream came with struggles, and many people resorted to crime and dishonest behavior as a way to circumvent their actual problems. In the novel you can see what happened to it during the 1920s. Zeitz, Joshua. 20% Just as Americans have given America meaning through their dreams for their own lives, Gatsby instills Daisy with a kind of idealized perfection that she neither deserves nor possesses. They are conventionally characterized by corruption. New York, NY, and London: Verso, 1998. Characters such as George and Toms wives exemplify the rebellion that is characterized by dwindling moral standards. Additionally, the passage of the Eighteenth Amendment in 1919, which banned the sale of alcohol, created a thriving underworld designed to satisfy the massive demand for bootleg liquor among rich and poor alike. Members will be prompted to log in or create an account to redeem their group membership. Fitzgerald carefully sets up his novel into distinct groups but, in the end, each group has its own problems to contend with, leaving a powerful reminder of what a precarious place the world really is. ), happiness, or family. Most of the characters reveal themselves to be highly materialistic, their motivations driven by their desire for money and things: Daisy marries and stays with Tom because of the lifestyle he can provide her, Myrtle has her affair with Tom due to the privileged world it grants her access to, and Gatsby even lusts after Daisy as if she is a prize to be won. True to the spirit of the times . (one code per order). She is passionate about improving student access to higher education. Our introduction to Tom and Daisy immediately describes them as rich, bored, and privileged. Print. We learn that the car is very large and both green on the . The Great Gatsby is set against the backdrop of 1920s New York City, a period known as the "Roaring Twenties" for the exhilarating pace set by the rapidly evolving culture and technology. IvyPanda. Therefore, it is not surprising that the consumerist culture, which Scott Fitzgerald criticizes, had emerged. Fitzgeralds illustration of the American Dream within his characters directly echoed the societys high-esteemed qualities of success and delight. In other words, while he opens the book with his father's advice to remember "all the advantages [he's] had," Nick seems to have a chip on his shoulder about still not being in the highest tier of the wealthy class. Any time someone isdrinking alcohol in the novel, they are doing something illegal, and are clearly in the know about how to get this banned substance. "She's got an indiscreet voice," I remarked. Gatsby's early romance with Daisy is heightened by the initial idealism that he was about to go fight in a noble and glorious endeavor. In Myrtle's eyes, money is an escape from life with her husband in the valley of ashes, something that brings status, and something that buys class. Your privacy is extremely important to us. Cancel culture Truth about the censorship of Roald Dahl The assumption that there is an urgent debate here, is politically useful to both sides. Modernism was all about breaking with the past. Nevertheless, it was still very much frowned on, and being a housewife and having fewer rights than man was still the norm in the 1920s. Being dishonest makes her (Jordan) incredibly uncomfortable with life. In spite of this, Gatsby is actually more ignored and used as opposed to honored. Ask questions; get answers. In the novel, he later relocates to New York where he gets involved in bond business. Free trial is available to new customers only. Also seen throughout The Great Gatsby is the flapper culture. Renews March 11, 2023 Set in the year 1922, the novel occurs during the thriving period of prosperity in America where materialism set the tone of society as reflected by the main characters economic successes. In the final chapter, Nick calls Tom and Daisy careless people who smashed up things and . In Fitzgerald's most popular novel, The Great Gatsby, jazz appears as constant background music. The average student has to read dozens of books per year. Print. The Great Gatsby is regarded as a brilliant piece of social commentary, offering a vivid peek into American life in the 1920s. Learn more about The Crucible, The Cask of Amontillado, and "Do not go gentle into that good night" with our expert analyses. F. Scott Fitzgerald, though he didn't actually see any fighting during his time in the army, was a member of this generation. Print. . When you combine this level of mass destruction with the fact that most of the war was a territorial stalemate (no army advanced, no army withdrew - they were just locked in a horrible tie), it's easy to see how unaccountable the 40 million deaths the war caused were. Daisy is coercive and manipulative. The culture of the wealthy Americans represented in the novel was defined mainly by consumerism and excessive Thinking about indulging in a little materialism yourself al Gatsby? Building on the work of Miles Corak, Anders Bjrklund, Markus Jantti, and others, I proposed the "Great Gatsby Curve" in a speech in January 2012 . 22 Apr. What does this mean? SAT is a registered trademark of the College Entrance Examination BoardTM. The clash between old money and new money manifests itself in the novels symbolic geography: East Egg represents the established aristocracy, West Egg the self-made rich. On the surface, The Great Gatsby is a story of the thwarted love between a man and a woman. Both Nick Carraway and Jay Gatsby have military backgrounds. Discount, Discount Code Colonizers arrived in the US with similar dreams of a healthier life for all people. Historically speaking, with influential leaders of temperance movements that believed in the dangers of alcohol and its ability to disrupt families, the Volstead Act was put into effect outlawing the manufacture, sale, or transportation of intoxicating liquors (The Great Gatsby Literature 147). August 12, 2022. https://ivypanda.com/essays/american-culture-in-the-novel-the-great-gatsby/. This term described women who would wear much less restricting clothing and go out drinking and dancing, which at the time was a huge violation of typical social norms. West Egg residents or new money (Fitzgerald and Bruccoli 54) are perceived by East Egg counterparts as upstart outsiders. The second nickname refers to this period's changing social norms and daring artistic movements. In other words, Gatsby loves Daisy's "value" as an in-demand product. According to Zeitz, 1920s marked an era in which Americans began to reap from the benefits of increased consumerism (21). Use up and down arrows to review and enter to select. American Culture in the Novel "The Great Gatsby". Although she is a famous player of golf, she can do anything on the loose to have her right always. The epigraph of the novel immediately marks money and materialism as a key theme of the bookthe listener is implored to "wear the gold hat" as a way to impress his lover. These comments might seem a bit odd, given that Nick admits to coming from money himself: "My family have been prominent, well-to-do people in this middle-western city for three generations" (1.5). However, despite her airs, she matters very little to the "old money" crowd, as cruelly evidenced first when Tom breaks her nose with a "short deft movement" (2.126), and later, when Daisy chooses to run her over rather than get into a car accident. Download it for free now: hbspt.cta._relativeUrls=true;hbspt.cta.load(360031, '688715d6-bf92-47d7-8526-4c53d1f5fe7d', {"useNewLoader":"true","region":"na1"}); hbspt.cta._relativeUrls=true;hbspt.cta.load(360031, '03a85984-6dfd-4a19-93c8-5f46091f5e2b', {"useNewLoader":"true","region":"na1"}); Anna scored in the 99th percentile on her SATs in high school, and went on to major in English at Princeton and to get her doctorate in English Literature at Columbia. Print. Nick Caraway, a native of Minnesota and an advocate of Midwestern values, narrates it in the first person. Readers may end the novel wondering if the American Dream is actually attainable at all. At the same time, their prominence gave rise to an anti-Semitic backlash, and the revival of the KKK began with the lynching of a Jewish man in 1915. However, Fitzgerald illustrates the price of prosperity as he portrays its negative effects such as the greed, lies, and deceit the characters possess in order to satirize the selfish way many were choosing to live. Toms unethical conduct is further reflected in several other characters in The Great Gatsby who resort to lying in order to reach success, which ultimately leads to their demise. Literary Themes for Students: The American Dream. Set in Jazz Age New York, it tells the tragic story of Jay Gatsby, a self-made millionaire, and his pursuit of Daisy Buchanan, a wealthy young woman whom he loved in his youth. What trench warfare looked like. However, even though Gatsby succeeds in acquiring wealth, he is never accepted by the upper class. Gatsby's business partner Meyer Wolfshiem is a gangster who is affiliated with organized crime and is based on the real-life crime boss Arnold Rothstein, who was indeed responsible for fixing the World Series in 1919. Gatsbys dream is ruined by the unworthiness of its object, just as the American dream in the 1920s is ruined by the unworthiness of its objectmoney and pleasure. Your dedicated PrepScholar Admissions counselor will craft your perfect college essay, from the ground up. Daisy, for her part, only begins her affair with Gatsby after a very detailed display of his wealth (via the mansion tour). Jay Gatsby is one of the main characters In The Great Gatsby. She is passionate about improving student access to higher education. We get our best look at Myrtle in Chapter 2, when Tom takes Nick to see her in Queens and they end up going to the New York City apartment Tom keeps for Myrtle and hosting a small gathering (after Tom and Myrtle hook up, with Nick in the next room!). Historical context: the giant arm propping up the baby that is your argument. Like 1920s Americans in general, fruitlessly seeking a bygone era in which their dreams had value, Gatsby longs to re-create a vanished pasthis time in Louisville with Daisybut is incapable of doing so. This term paper on American Culture in the Novel The Great Gatsby was written and submitted by your fellow He accurately describes and critiques this materialistic society in order to leave a lasting impact on the public to recognize the inevitable failure of their economy and success waiting. Suffrage had been a huge goal of the womens movement in the late 19th and early 20th centuries, so this victory caused women to continue to push boundaries and fight for more rights during the 1920s. So Gatsby ultimately provides a pretty harsh, pessimistic view of women's roles in 1920s America. Gatsby, in the summer months, was known far and wide for the extravagant parties he threw in which "men and girls came and went like moths among the whisperings and the champagne and the stars." During the weekend, people flocked to his house for his parties, as well as to use his . "American Culture in the Novel "The Great Gatsby"." When World War I ended in 1918, the generation of young Americans who had fought the war became intensely disillusioned, as the brutal carnage that they had just faced made the Victorian social morality of early-twentieth-century America seem like stuffy, empty hypocrisy. Nick and Gatsby are continually troubled by timethe past haunts Gatsby and the future weighs down on Nick. A reinterpreted version of the story about Jay Gatsby's endeavor to become rich, achieve status in the high-society of 1922's Long Island, New York, and get back together with the love of his life - Daisy Buchanan. In the era of writing The Great Gatsby, cultural conventions, which were perceived as out of date died to usher new ones from1920 to 1930s. Almost a century after he was written into being, F Scott Fitzgerald's doomed . Nick and Gatsby live in this community. Fitzgerald conveys a message warning against the perils of materialism during the course of the novel. . Furthermore, the rest of that quote explicitly describes Daisy as "High in a white palace, the King's daughter, the golden girl" (7.106). He also threw parties now and then, which were equally characterized by high consumptions. This situation created opportunities to satisfy the undying appetite for consumption, opulence, and immorality. Curious to see how much Daisy and Myrtle's struggle for more echoes the lives of real women? (See our brief biography of Fitzgerald to learn more.). Development Arrested. He further states that people who came to the party in Gatsbys house arrived and left in the fashion of months. This situation resulted in corruption of the ideal American dream. Myrtle mentions this with regard to her husband, George, whom she mistook for someone of better breeding and hence greater prospects: I thought he knew something about breeding, but he wasnt fit to lick my shoe. Similarly, Gatsbys pursuit of Daisy is bound up with class. Before the end of 1930, 12 million homes in the US had already bought radio cassettes while the numbers of those who were connected with telephones increased by 50 percent (10.5 million in 1915 to more than 20 million by the end of 1930) (Scherer and Ross 93). As such, theGreat Gatsby era is theperiod in 20th century U.S. history nicknamed both the Roaring 20s and the "Jazz Age." Woods, Clyde. The Great Gatsby is a very accurate portrayal of the cultural and social changes during the 1920's. 1929, the 19th Amendment has been passed, era of the flapper was strong, Jazz was popularized, prohibition started, greed was more apparent, and morals were lost. This speaks to her materialism and how, in her world, a certain amount of wealth is a barrier to entry for a relationship (friendship or more). While Gatsby, Myrtle, and George all end up dead, Tom and Daisy get to skip town and avoid any consequences, despite their direct involvement. If Nick were just a middle-class everyman, the story could not play out in the same way. To find a quotation we cite via chapter and paragraph in your book, you can either eyeball it (Paragraph 1-50: beginning of chapter; 50-100: middle of chapter; 100-on: end of chapter), or use the search function if you're using an online or eReader version of the text. In The Great Gatsby, money is a huge motivator in the characters' relationships, motivations, and outcomes. Abrief recap of what happened. How does Nick Carraway first meet Jay Gatsby? Want to improve your SAT score by 160 points or your ACT score by 4 points? (2022, August 12). Fitzgerald portrays the 1920s as an era of decayed social and moral values, evidenced in its overarching cynicism, greed, and empty pursuit of pleasure. This implied that people had substituted responsibilities that were done by hand such as maintenance with technology such as vacuum cleaners and washing gadgets. As Fitzgerald saw it (and as Nick explains in Chapter 9), the American dream was originally about discovery, individualism, and the pursuit of happiness. Daisy and Tom have similar traits, which support materialist culture that was prevalent in the 1920s American society as portrayed in The Great Gatsby. You'll also receive an email with the link. Want the complete lowdown on Jay Gatsby's rags-to-riches story? Women who were never contented with pleasure wore knee-length skirts, overly long draping necklaces, and rolled stockings (Leader 14). However, drawing from her work, these prohibitions seemed to have little implications (Zeitz 23). Developing a richer interpretation of symbols, motifs, and themes. She has it exceptionally clear in her mind that her success is not honestly acquired, and that it can depart from her any time. . The Great Gatsby takes place during a time that's now known as the Jazz Age or the Roaring 20s. Another social development wasthe new flapper style. Written by F. Scott Fitzgerald and first published in 1925, the setting of The Great Gatsby is an island, which is dominated by prosperous, wealthy, and poor communities of East Egg and West Egg. This desire of Americans to reach such a high social status and level of attainment was no better displayed through the ability that Gatsby possessed as he faithfully stuck to the conception of himself he desired to be and eventually obtained it. "They're such beautiful shirts," she sobbed, her voice muffled in the thick folds. Web. Nick compares the green bulk of America rising from the ocean to the green light at the end of Daisys dock. At the time when the novel takes place, the U.S. was in the middle of a tremendous economic boom and a soaring stock market that seemed to be on a permanent upward swing. Cars are clearly used to display wealth and status - even Tom, normally secure in his superiority, wants to brag to George Wilson aboutthesuper-fancy Rolls Royce heborrows from Gatsby. The description of Gatsby's parties at the beginning of Chapter 3 is long and incredibly detailed, and thus it highlights the extraordinary extent of Gatsby's wealth and materialism. Here are ways to think about frequently assigned topics on this the theme of money and materialism. The Great Gatsby, by F. Scott Fitzgerald, presents a critical portrait of the American dream through its portrayal of the 1920s New York elite. At high tide in the afternoon I watched his guests diving from the tower of his raft or taking the sun on the hot sand of his beach while his two motor-boats slit the waters of the Sound, drawing aquaplanes over cataracts of foam. . What ACT target score should you be aiming for? The Great Gatsby was published in 1925. Meyer Wolfsheim and Gatsbys fortune symbolize the rise of organized crime and bootlegging. We're using this system since there are many editions of Gatsby, so using page numbers would only work for students with our copy of the book. As such, the Great Gatsby era is the period in 20th century U.S. history nicknamed both the "Roaring 20s" and the "Jazz Age." The first nickname points to America's post-WWI economic prosperity and the country's greater influence abroad. However, all positive traits aside, there are aspects of Jay Gatsby that call into question that admiration. A+ Student Essay: The Automobile as a Symbol in The Great Gatsby, F. Scott Fitzgerald and The Great Gatsby Background. Nick, meanwhile, dates Jordan Baker throughout the book, and though their relationship has its moments of warmth and kindness, both parties generally seem lukewarm and emotionally distant. (1.4), "My own house was an eye-sore, but it was a small eye-sore, and it had been overlooked, so I had a view of the water, a partial view of my neighbor's lawn, and the consoling proximity of millionairesall for eighty dollars a month.