Fitzgerald wrote his novel during the Roaring 1920s, but his book seems uniquely relevant to our own times. The Roaring 1920s was coming to a rapid slow-down of material prosperity, and questions of who was a 'real' American arose as social mobility had introduced individuals of new races and ethnicities into higher American society. Fitzgerald suggests that it is important to question what lies beneath the veneer of American society and good breeding. He demanded his readers also carefully examine the assumption we can all pull ourselves up by our own bootstraps, and whether the material goals we strive for will really bring fulfillment at all.
Works Cited
Fitzgerald, F. Scott. The Great Gatsby. New York: Hayes...
Moving forward to 1920s, the documentary will then talk about the social, cultural, and technological developments that influenced American society and culture during this period. Special focus must be given to the working class, relating their social mobility to their economic success and consumption lifestyle. To illustrate the men and women of the Roaring Twenties, each group would be discussed in relation to a specific social issue that is considered
The motivation behind the exclusion laws was partly xenophobia (especially in the case of the Chinese and other Asians, whose appearance and customs are so different than the western European heritage of most native-born Americans in the 1920s) and partly to protect jobs, wages and resources for the benefit of Americans (Ibid.). Prohibition, Speakeasies and Bootlegging The issue of prohibition illustrates the polarity of sentiment felt by many Americans during the
Prohibition/Repeal and the Roaring Twenties Prohibition and the Roaring Twenties According to the films, how did prohibition come about, what was it trying to accomplish and why? The concept of alcoholism never stood at ease with many factions throughout the industrialized world. Even in Europe, the thought of alcohol related to drunken brawls and non-covert prostitution. The United States was no different, and by the 1840s to the roaring twenties, alcohol had become
It is noticeable, however, that despite illustrating the image of 'good life' among American consumers, it seemed that these ads were catered only to white Americans, which are often depicted as belonging to the elite to middle social classes. Further analysis also showed that apart from the under representation of minorities in these ads, white American women were the 'staple' elements contained in an ad. Although some of the ads
In "Winter Dreams," Dexter's ideal of success is characterized by wealth and social status. The opportunities provided by the new century motivate young men and women of the 1920s to dream of success from early ages. This is also the case of Dexter who, working at a local golf course, envisions himself becoming a golf champion. His dreams of success are fueled by his love for Judy Jones who becomes
Great Gatsby Reading the highly-acclaimed novel by F. Scott Fitzgerald, The Great Gatsby, is an excellent way in which to learn about New York City and about America in the 1920s through literature. Certainly there are scenes, characters and quotes that are exaggerated and enhanced beyond what the real world at that time represented -- which is the license that writers of fiction are afforded. But the big picture of The
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