Behind the Prosperity
From the fast cars, cabarets,extravagant parties,and luxury of the 1920’s, it brought excitement and life back to the United States after World War I. Sadly this lifestyle of comfort and amusement did not last long. The 1920’s was like one of Gatsby’s party in the novel The Great Gatsby. In F. Scott Fitzgerald’s novel The Great Gatsby, Gatsby’s parties were filled with wealthy, happy people, and luxurious items.It was as if at the party, the guest were in their own little world. Once all the guest had left, everyone had went back to reality, and faced their problems. The part where everyone left Gatsby’s party was like the hidden cryptic messages the 1920’s hid underneath all the wealth. Although the 1920’s was a
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prosperous time period, it was predominately a time of hardship because the wealth was unequally distributed, minorities faced rampant inequality, and due to discrimination minorities faced restricted opportunities. Even though majority of the United States was living in prosperity, many actually faced poverty and debt.
During the 1920’s not everyone had participated in the consumer economy, especially the minority. Because of the increase in industry, those who worked in an agricultural based environment had suffered, “Despite agricultural overproduction and successive attempts in Congress to provide relief,... an ongoing depression. Large surpluses were accompanied by falling prices at a time when American farmers were burdened by heavy debt” (Poverty in the 1920s). As of the results of the transition from agricultural over to industrial, the wealth was not being equally distributed. Farmers depended on consumers to buy their goods, and due to the transition, the burden and the struggle to pay off debt was left for the farmers to deal with. Going off of that. In “Victimizing the Farmer” the document explains that “ ...for the farmer will never regain prosperity until farm products sell as high with relation to the general price level as before the war”(Capper 5). Subsequently, farmers did not get a part of the riches. They have provided for citizens for ages, and now they no longer are able to have anything to provide for their own …show more content…
selves. In addition, the unequal distribution of wealth between classes and extensive stock market speculation created an unstable economy. Americans unknowingly were setting the United States up for the worst economic decline in history known as the Great Depression. Before the Great Depression, only top one tenth percent had an income equal to forty-two percent during “The Roaring Twenties”. In that top one tenth percentile, only thirty four percent of Americans controlled their savings, while the eighty percentile had no savings at all. There had also been an over supply of goods which disatisfied those who no longer could afford them, while the wealthy could have a surplus amount of things(Great Depression). Based on this, it reveals the unequal disproportions of the wealth as well as the carelessness in the economy, leading to future economical issues. Although it seemed as if everyone in the United States were all equal, minorities were openly discriminated.
After World War I, it left a great impact on the American’s public opinion about foreigners. It brought fear and the rise of discrimination against them. In F.Scott Fitzgerald’s novel The Great Gatsby, it is set in the 1920’s. The hatred for the other races were apparent when Tom says “It is up to us,who are the dominant race, to watch out or these other races will have control of things” (Fitzgerald 7). Tom Buchanan is from East Egg which means he was born into wealth. Since he has always been part of the upper class he has always looked down on those who were different in terms of race, and class. It is evident that he has no respect for them, and believes the white are the “superior race”. Based on his remarks ,it can be implied that majority of the 1920’s was characterized by
racism In continuation, Langston Hughes was an African- American poet, and social activist during the Harlem Renaissance. Many of his poems were about discrimination he dealt with as well as what his ancestors has struggled with in the past. In his poem, “Let America be America again,” Hughes writes, “There’s never been equality for me, Nor freedom in this “homeland of the free””(Hughes 15-16). This exhibits how African Americans did not have the same rights as other citizens. It also shows that they were being discriminated because of their skin color even though they were citizens too. The discrimination that existed during the time contradicted the idea of “homeland of the free” and failed to keep that promise. Furthermore, as the rate of immigration began to increase tremendously during this time, acceptance from the whites, and gaining equality was becoming more difficult. As the immigrants were arriving to the United States the racial tensions reached a boiling point. Many anti-immigration groups organization were created such as the Klu Klux Klan. The article “The Klan: Defender of Americanism,” is written from the Klu Klux Klan point of view.They believed that the socialization of different races was a sin and would bring corruption to the United States. They believe that foreigners should convert to their ideals and become like them. Those who supported the Klu Klux Klan saw foreigners as “bad seeds” and does not want them to bring their different ideals and beliefs to damage America. (Evans 2).The creation of anti-immigration groups shows how the 1920’s was not as all glamourous as it cuts out to be because the minorities faced brutality and ill-treatment. Despite the fact that many tried to gain equality, the idea of one being superior than another created the restrictions. Going hand in hand with racism, many struggled with restricted opportunities. In Claude McKay’s poem, “If We Must Die”, the narrator states, “Hunted and penned in an inglorious spot”(Claude 2). Since the narrator uses the words “hunted and penned” it can be inferred that lower class and minorities were purposely pushed down and were never allowed to have opportunities. Since the wealthy and the “superior race” believed that they did not deserve the advantages and opportunities available to them. People of different ethnics were not the only ones that faced discrimination. Women during the time period were seen as accessories to their husband. Their jobs were to stay home, cook, take care of their children. They were not taken seriously. When Nick visits his cousin Daisy who is married to Tom Buchanan for dinner, afterwards out on the porch Daisy explains to Nick, “I’m glad it’s a girl. And I hope she’ll be a fool – that’s the best thing a girl can be in this world, a beautiful little fool” (Fitzgerald 21). In other words, Daisy is addressing the hardships women face during this time period. She experienced it first hand and knows what it is like to be a female in society. Another moment when women are degraded in The Great Gatsby is when Myrtle Tom’s mistress is shouting Daisy’s name and he broke her nose with his hands. As seen by his actions it shows how the man was the dominant one in a relationship. Tom’s actions showcases the emotional and physical control men had over women. Also it shows how women were manipulated to act certain way in society and that was to obey their significant other. On the contrary belief that people were living in a period of luxury and happiness,underneath all of that women,and minorities did not fully experience the prosperity aspects of the time period. Just like any party, it eventually ends. “The Roaring Twenties” eventually ended and left the United States in the Great Depression. Before it came to that point, many undiscussed topics such as equality was ignored. The wealth lead many to be careless and only the wealthy had benefited from it, leaving the rest of the population in debt and burden. Restrictions on minority groups did not allow them to acquire as much as those in the upper class despite the fact that they worked harder. F.Scott Fitzgerald’s novel The Great Gatsby depicts the 1920’s revealing all of the scandal that excessive wealth brought, discrimination, and how not everyone had access to the same opportunities even though it was a time of growth and opulence. Works Cited Capper, Arthur. ""Victimizing the Farmer"" (n.d.): n. pag. The Twenties in Contemporary Commentary. Web. 6 Apr. 2016. Center, National Humanities. The Ku Klux Klan in the 1920s: Collected Commentary (n.d.): 1-12. The Twenties in Contemporary Commentary. Web. Fitzgerald, F. Scott. The Great Gatsby. New York: Scribner, 2013. Print. "The History Connection." Great Depression. N.p., n.d. Web. 06 Apr. 2016. Hughes, Langston. ""Let America Be America Again"" Poets.org. Academy of American Poets, n.d. Web. 06 Apr. 2016. "Prosperity and Thrift: Poverty in the 1920s." Prosperity and Thrift: Poverty in the 1920s. N.p., n.d. Web. 06 Apr. 2016.
Money is something that can either be used for the greater good of society, or it can be contorted into something that is detrimental to society, it all depends on whose hands that money happens to fall into. Human tendencies begin to change once people come to have money, the lavish and selfish lifestyle begins. Entitlement comes with having money because money gives people what they want which makes people think they are entitled to get everything they want. In The Great Gatsby Fitzgerald portrays that money is the root of all problems with can ultimately lead to loneliness and careless behavior.
In the aftermath of World War I, the 1920s twinkled on the horizon with the promise of hope. Bookended by the epidemic of 1920 and the The Wall Street crash of 1929, the decade was a time of decadence, frivolity, and escape. Rich or poor, people lived in the moment, loved anything new and the young partied like there was no tomorrow. A readers look into the decade can be found in the era's greatest memoir: The Great Gatsby F. Scott Fitzgerald. F. Scott Fitzgerald applied the social and political issues of the 1920's and its innumerable characteristics to enhance the plot of The Great Gatsby.
Through his vivid depiction of the valley of the ashes in the acclaimed novel The Great Gatsby, F. Scott Fitzgerald unveils the truth about 1920s America: economic prosperity did not guarantee happiness and resulted in depreciating conditions for those that were not able to connive their way to the top.
Decline of civilization is such a big theme in the Great Gatsby because it underlined the actual causes of the 1920’s. A big cause of the 1920’s was racism and white dominance. In The Great Gatsby Tom is a strong believer in these ideas as seen on page twelve and thirteen. Tom says, “The idea is that if the we don’t look out the white race will be-will be utterly submerged.” He says this about the book The Rise of the Colored Empires written by Goddard. The Bible says that all people should be treated the same but in the 1920’s and before people treat African Americans and Native Americans
Carraway describes the atmosphere as “spilled with prodigality” (Fitzgerald 44). Gatsby’s fills his parties with wasteful extravagances like alcohol, and his efforts toward love end up as futile. The people, instead of appreciating Gatsby, backhandedly gossip about his past as a German spy, and simply partake in the alcohol being served (Fitzgerald 48). Instead of representing the upper echelon’s of 1920s’ society, in contrast to the poor, the party-goers appear weak, superficial, and unworthy of such acclaim, especially when given their tendency to gossip. With this depiction of the partiers, Fitzgerald showcases the hollow nature of 1920s society, lacking in morality and
The Roaring Twenties was a time of excitement for the American people, with cities bustling with activity and a large community that appreciated Jazz, thus creating the title the “Jazz Age.” The Great Gatsby by F. Scott Fitzgerald takes place in this magnificent age characterized by Jazz and the popular new dance, the “Charleston.” Through the midst of all this new activity, we follow a character named Jay Gatsby through the eyes of the narrator, Nick Carraway. Fitzgerald’s themes of friendship and The American Dream is seen in The Great Gatsby through Nick and Jay’s companionship and Gatsby’s growth from being a simple farm boy to becoming a wealthy man.
The year 1925 landed in the middle of the roaring twenties. In the 1920’s, a lot of things happened such as the prohibition of alcohol, social change where more people lived in the cities, and the overall boom of wealth as the economy grew. This change in the lifestyle of the people sparked a decade of riches. Once accumulating every dollar after dollar, millionaires bought mansions to throw extravagant parties, galas and balls to impress the rich, the richer, and the richest. Not only did money play an important part of this era, but literature also had a significant and vital role. One of the numerous writers was F. Scott Fitzgerald. Wanting to capture the twenties in its midst, Fitzgerald wrote the literary classic, The Great Gatsby. The
... The environment surrounding the people that used to go to weekend parties and celebrations would be changed forever, affecting the lifestyle of everyone and eliminating the ability to hold these festivities. Real citizens lived a life much like the characters of the novel, and they were forced to completely reconsider their lives, financial decisions, and priorities. The issues faced by the novel’s characters were real-life tragedies so many Americans went through at the end of the Roaring Twenties. The Great Gatsby captured these aspects of what the people, places, and events of the 1920s were really like before the Great Depression – the beginning of the end – took hold over the entire country.
“The Great Gatsby”, by F. Scott Fitzgerald depicts the vast social difference between the old aristocrats, the new self-made rich and the poor. He vividly interprets the social stratification during the roaring twenties as each group has their own problems to deal with. Old Money, who have fortunes dating from the 19th century, have built up powerful and influential social connections, and tend to hide their wealth and superiority behind a veneer of civility. The New Money made their fortunes in the 1920s boom and therefore have no social connections and tend to overcompensate for this lack with lavish displays of wealth. As usual, the No Money gets overlooked by the struggle at the top, leaving them forgotten or ignored. Such is exemplified by Jay Gatsby, Myrtle Wilson and Tom Buchanan. Their ambitions distinctly represent their class in which Fitzgerald implies strongly about.
Hugh Hefner once said, “I looked back on the roaring Twenties, with its jazz, 'Great Gatsby' and the pre-Code films as a party I had somehow managed to miss.” The parties of the Roaring Twenties were used to symbolize wealth and power in a society that was focused more on materialism and gossip than the important things in life, like family, security, and friends. The Great Gatsby, by F. Scott Fitzgerald, portrays the characters of Tom and Daisy Buchanan as the epitome of the era. The reader sees these characters acting selfishly and trying to meddle with others’ lives. On the other hand, Nick Carraway, the narrator, acts more to help others and act honestly. Initially the reader sees Carraway’s views towards Jay Gatsby as negative as Gatsby’s actions are perceived as being like the Buchanan’s. As the novel moves forward, the reader notices a change in Carraway’s attitude towards Gatsby. Carraway sees Gatsby for whom he truly is, and that is a loving person who only became rich to win Daisy’s heart. But in this the reader also sees how corrupt and hurtful Gatsby’s actions were to the love of his life. Gatsby’s relationship with Daisy reveals that just as Gatsby’s dream of wooing Daisy is corrupted by illegalities and dishonesty, the “American Dream” of friendship and individualism has disintegrated into the simple pursuit of wealth, power, and pleasure.
The roaring twenties were a time for happiness and celebration, but the novel, The Great Gatsby, by F. Scott Fitzgerald, shows a different side of this dynamic decade. Fitzgerald uses a poignant, yet hopeful tone to show the shadier side of the nineteen twenties most refuse to look at, while tying in the brighter side. In The Great Gatsby, the reader is sucked into a story of corruption, and empowerment by the rich hidden by extravagant parties and bright colors. Jay Gatsby, who only dreamt of wealth and love, had an ideal dream life, that ideal life could be defined as his “American Dream”. His dreams were later crushed by very powerful people, careless people, people who used and abused others to get their way, no matter the consequences.
"The Demise of the 1920s American Dream in The Great Gatsby – InfoRefuge.com." Info Refuge. N.p., n.d. Web. 29 Apr. 2014
In the novel The Great Gatsby, the 1920’s was a “throwaway culture, in which things (and people) are used and then abandoned” (Evans). This is true of the lives of the wealthy elite who ruled the East and West Eggs, causing the domination of materialistic thought. The substitution of money for integrity ultimately provided a way for corruption to take deep roots in the characters. The frivolous lives and relationships described by F. Scott Fitzgerald in The Great Gatsby depict the emptiness of the shallow 1920’s era.
The period of the 1920’s was a time of great consumerism, materialistic focus and the establishing of the newly rich, a time period given the name of the roaring twenties for a reason. This period is best portrayed by a historical fiction novel written by an american author F. Scott Fitzgerald, “The Great Gatsby”. Through this novel there is a great divide amongst social classes. The high class people are separated into two perspectives, the “new money” and the “old money”. The narrator and one of the main characters of the novel, Nick , introduces the readers to a variety of people from various social classes. Jay Gatsby is the protagonist of the novel and belongs to the new money while Tom Buchanan, his love rival, is a member of the old
The 1920’s were a time of social and technological change. After World War II, the Victorian values were disregarded, there was an increase in alcohol consumption, and the Modernist Era was brought about. The Great Gatsby, written by F. Scott Fitzgerald, is a perfect presentation of the decaying morals of the Roaring Twenties. Fitzgerald uses the characters in the novel--specifically the Buchanans, Jordan Baker, and Gatsby’s partygoers--to represent the theme of the moral decay of society.