Vibha Kandikattu Mr. Guzman English 11 L4 19 March 2024. The American Dream in the 1920s: Disillusionment and Moral Decay The 1920s, often romanticized as the Roaring Twenties, stands as a pivotal era in American history characterized by profound social, cultural, and economic shifts. Central to this period was the concept of the American Dream, a fundamental belief in the possibility of upward mobility, prosperity, and success through hard work and determination. However, amidst the glittering facade of prosperity, the pursuit of the American Dream intersected with themes of disillusionment and moral decay, casting a shadow over the decade. The American Dream, rooted in the nation's founding ideals of liberty and opportunity, evolved significantly …show more content…
This crisis of faith extended to longstanding notions of patriotism, duty, and honor, leaving many feeling adrift in a world stripped of its moral compass. Moreover, the economic disparities of the 1920s exacerbated feelings of disillusionment and resentment among those left behind by the decade's prosperity. While the wealthy elite revealed themselves in the excesses of the Jazz Age, millions of working-class Americans struggled to make ends meet in the wake of economic downturns and wage stagnation. The stark divide between the privileged and the non-privileged fueled a sense of injustice and disillusionment, laying bare the fundamental inequalities that lay beneath the surface of American society. In addition to economic and social disillusionment, the 1920s also witnessed a crisis of cultural identity and meaning. Many people felt disconnected from their humanity and the world around them due to the rapid pace of technological innovation, the widespread availability of mass media, and the influence of consumer culture. The commodification of leisure and entertainment, epitomized by the rise of Hollywood and the popularity of spectator sports, contributed to a sense of cultural shallowness and alienation,
As a nation coming out of a devastating war, America faced many changes in the 1920s. It was a decade of growth and improvements. It was also a decade of great economic and political confidence. However, with all the changes comes opposition. Social and cultural fears still caused dichotomous rifts in American society.
History is an abundance of movements that demonstrate the changes in societal ideals and beliefs, it also conveys the struggle many people had to maintain conservative ideas. The 1920s was a major time frame when many changes occurred and began, it is the epitome of the struggle between a changing nation and the Conservatives who want it all to stay the same. The power struggle between the Conservatives and the rebellious members of society had been going on for years but it was the passing of the Volstead Act, which had kicked started the Prohibition, that created an explosive change throughout the society. Drinking became fashionable, everyone wanted to do it because it was forbidden. With one law being broken people began to break the societal norms; woman drank and smoked in public, blacks were becoming popular in society, and even the accepted religious facts were called into question. This disregard for the norms caused an uproar throughout society and were the main tensions between old and new ideal; the tension stemmed from the ideals about women, blacks and religion.
The phrase the American dream is contradictory to it’s meaning. The American dream was for most people just that, a dream. However, these very people had their hopes dashed and were forever lost. One could argue that a much more fitting and appropriate name for the American dream might as well be the American nightmare. In the 1920’s and early 30’s, the American dream was a beacon of hope as well as prosperity for anyone unfortunate enough to fall under it’s alluring curse, with an exception of a handful of people. What was given instead of this promise of wealth and dreams, what was given was the deterioration of dreams, and usually lives. Sadly, Lennie Small, from Of Mice and Men as well as Jay Gatsby, from The Great Gatsby was not the exceptions.
The 1920s, often referred to as the Roaring Twenties, was a time of great change and a time of powerful enthusiasm in many areas of society. The world had just finished the biggest war in history, the First World War, and the United States was left almost unharmed by the war. The United States was able to experience a decade of peace and success following the war. During this decade, America became the wealthiest country in the world (Trueman, 2000). The people in the United States went through a colorful period during the twenties. However, at the same time the 1920s was also a very rebellious and difficult time for many. The culture of the 1920s has influenced the culture of America’s society today.
Life in the 1920s After World War One, the United States went through a decade full of industrial, economical, and social growth. This decade is known as the Roaring 20s. The 1920s was a time of important historical events and technological advancement. The development of consumer goods, such as fridges, typewriters, radios, and cars, created jobs and helped the American economy grow. However, not everyone was able to enjoy the advancement that the boom had assured.
Throughout history people pursue three simple concepts that they believe will lead them to a perfect life; freedom, to be independent, and the ability to advance and succeed in their life. These three ideas are major components of what has become known as the American dream, a dream that is beautiful in the fact that it provides people with hope and a goal. This dream is what caused so many settlers to travel to the new world, the idea of being able to be anyone they wanted to be, even in modern times it still draws thousand if not millions to its magnificent idea. Unfortunately, it has slightly changed into an idea of being able to own a big house, be with someone they love, and live a life of ease. This ideal life, which so many strive for, is unreachable due to the harsh reality of life and inequality of man. However in the roaring times of the twenties Americans were not focused on the reality of life but were more focused on the idea of freedom and independence than ever before, they believed that they were free to do as they willed; they drank, they spent money, they partied, and they lusted. In Fitzgerald's book, The Great Gatsby, which is set in the twenties, we see just this; we see parties, excessive amounts of drinking and love affairs.
After World War II, America had to take a step back and take a look at their country. The American Dream had been restored upon the atrocities of the war. In the 1930’s the American Dream was primarily focused on working hard, men providing for their families, and trying to rise from the depression. In the 1940’s, post World War II things changed and consumerism and feminism began to play a key role along with many other factors. There are many ways to describe the American dream and what aspects were influential to it, such as World War II, modernism, new technology and entertainment.
Americans in the 1920s were fresh off of World War I and fresh into the Prohibition Era. The American Dream is well defined- a life of wealth, comfort, and exuberance. After a World War I victory, the dream was thought to be in the near future for every American. The country was seen as a world superpower, wealthy after the devastation of a war fought entirely overseas and brimming with hope and possibility- at least on the surface. Despite the highs experienced by much of the country, it wasn't without its problems.
The 1920s were considered the decade of extraordinary social and political change. People who had once taken residence in the country and lived as farmers migrated to the cities for job opportunities and many more things. While the decade symbolized an era of affluence, leisure, and inventions in the medical and technological fields, no one can or should deny that the 1920s hosted a dark side which is a stain on the great 1920s image. The 1920s was trapped in a wave of racial violence, and injustice. But despite that detail, the 1920s was an overall positive era that improved the lives of many throughout this country and the world. Inventions, resurgence of black pride, and the creation of new forms of entertainment, such as movies and music
The 1920s and 1930s were an extremely hard time. War, Great Depression, and illnesses spread throughout America. Even with all that tumbling the great people of this country, the American Dream lived on. The American Dream in the 1920s started at the immigrants who left their lives back in their home country to live their dream in America. Some of their dreams and reason why they came to america was for more freedom (Destination). They knew that America was the land of opportunity. They could easily find work and free land (DeLorenzo). Many were not welcomed in their country because a certain ethnic group or religion. America was there only choice to be free (Destination). Other than immigrants Americans were searching for their own identity. Many just barely surviving the great depression, they were now searching for steady jobs and wanting to become rich (American 2). Thats the Americans dream to become rich. They wanted to provide for their families. The great men of America tried to do all that while transitioning out of the great depression.
Comparing the perspective of the American dream in the 1920’s to the American Dream in the 1940’s and present day seems to be a repeating cycle. The American dream is always evolving and changing. The American dream for present day is similar to the dream of the 1920’s. An Ideal of the American life is to conform to what our society has determined is success. Money, materialism and status had replaced the teachings of our founding fathers in the 1920’s. A return to family values and hard work found its way back into American’s lives in the 1940’s. The same pursuit of that indulgent lifestyle that was popular in the roaring twenty’s has returned today for most Americans, many Americans are living on credit and thinking that money and the accumulation of material items can solve all problems. Through film, literature, art and music, an idealized version of what it means to be an American has changed from money, materialism, and status of the 1920s to hard work and family values of the forties.
The reflection of American Dream in roaring twenties is perfectly illustrated in Scott Fitzgerald’s fiction work titled the Great Gatsby. People in this era were spending money lavishly and living life to the fullest because they had this motto, that who knows if tomorrow we would die and let’s just have some fun, due to living in post-war decade. They liked to throw a big party just like the charater Gatsby and tend to dress strikingly just like what is potrayed in Daisy. Climbing up the social status is actually part of American Dream as stated by
The Texas court system is structured and well organized but might seem quite confusing at first. There are different types of courts in Texas, which are the municipal courts, county courts, county courts of law, district courts, appeal courts, and the highest courts. All of which contribute to the state of Texas and help the community establish a well organized place to live upon. These court systems play a huge role in the safety of the citizens.
With new modernist American literature, Americans lose faith in their traditional beliefs and values, including the American dream. Many novels used the concept of the American dream to make people question whether the dream still existed in the mist of the First World War and the Great Depression. In describing the American dream, one is led to believe that the individual is led to self-triumph, and their life will progressively get better and better in America. In Fitzgerald’s, The Great Gatsby, published in 1925, the American dream is perceived originally by the thought of discovery and the pursuit of happiness. Money, parties, and relaxed social views came with ease to the American people in the 1920s. However, Fitzgerald demonstrates how the American soldiers re...
A major theme of the American Dream during the modernist fiction era was upward mobility and accomplishment. Along with Economic prosperity and economic opportunity came the idea of upward mobility. Upward mobility was the idea of moving up in the world financially and gaining a new wealth not owned before. "In the 19th century in particular, the term began to take on a more obvious secular orientation ( moving up in this world by no means precluded moving up in the next one" (Cullen 59). The dream of upward mobility had shifted mindsets away from religion. People were no longer focused on the life after death, but more on the current life. The focus of obtaining the dream of upward mobility had taken over lifestyles in the 19th century. Money and wealth appealed heavily to people at the time, which is where they found their comfort. This is why religion played less of a role in everyday life. There were new motivations that moved away from just being able to provide for their family to focusing on moving up more and accomplishing more and gaining a new...