Example of Synthesis Essay on 'The Great Gatsby'

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The Great Gatsby Synthesis Essay America in the 1920s was a time of prosperity, but also a time of social and political change. Many select people including the rich gained a more rebellious, law-defying nature that turned against both traditional social norms and laws. Women finally gained the right to vote after centuries of being suppressed. And the nation split on the issue of Prohibition. The characters and themes in The Great Gatsby are the perfect example of the decade’s archetype. In 1919, the 18th Amendment was passed, making prohibition law (Source 3, 6). America essentially became a dry nation, but it was actually far from it. Smugglers and bootleggers, like Al Capone, were able to get around the law and make a profit off the illegal alcohol (Source 5). Many gangs popped up while law enforcement turned their heads. In the Great Gatsby, Gatsby became a smuggler to make quick money to get the love of his life (Source 1). He made a fortune off his bootlegger lifestyle, a …show more content…

Although Tom and Daisy Buchanan were part of the old money generation, inheriting it from their parents, it doesn’t mean they are perfect. The Great Gatsby takes place in the 1920’s, well after the 18th amendment was passed, which means that all the alcohol that Daisy and Tom have been having are all illegal (Source 3,6). The rich always seem to get away with everything. In fact, many rich folks in the 1920s often got away with indulging in alcohol even the President served alcohol when hosting events. The rich during this decade and probably even now feel as if they were above the law, at least Daisy and Tom did. America was in a time of prosperity during the 1920s and the Buchanan had lots of money. They could afford a carefree and careless lifestyle. They travelled from place to place for no reason, created a mess, had other clean up the mess, and drank alcohol. It was this carelessness that eventually caused the deaths in the

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