The Great Gatsby: Context

The Great Gatsby: Context

1. Roaring Twenties

   • Term to describe 1920s in western world
   • Economic prosperity - nation's wealth doubled between 1920-1929
   • More lived in urban areas, electricity invented

2. Jazz Age

   • Characterised as a period of carefree self-indulgence, wealth, freedom
   • Increased prosperity

3. Prohibition

   • Sale & manufacture of alcohol prevented by law 1920-1933
   • Many bootleggers became rich - Gatsby
   • Due to national mood turning against alcohol for religious & moral reasons

4. Flappers

   • Fashionable young women intent on enjoying themselves
   • Disregarded conventional behaviour standards
   • Represented new type of modern woman - less feminine, dressed less conservatively

5. New Technology & Transport

   • Radio, silent movies
   • First car - Ford, low cost trains - easier to travel e.g. to New York
   • Advancement in medicine

6. Conspicuous Consumption

   • Lavish spending on goods and services to display income or wealth
   • To attain/maintain social status
   • Only done publicly

7. The American Dream

   • New values in 1920s - instead of wanting equality, people wanted to get as rich as possible
   • Traditional values - equality, enjoying life, pursuit of happiness
   • Novel represents decline of it