1. The Great Gatsby F. Scott Fitzgerald

2. F. Scott Fitzgerald 1896-1940 Distant relative of Francis Scott Key Met Zelda Sayre while at basic training for WWI She refused to marry him until he proved his financial success Publication of his first novel made him an overnight literary sensation The couple were known for excessive partying and drinking Zelda was institutionalized for schizophrenia Fitzgerald died of a heart attack due to life-long alcoholism

3. Historical Context I.Jazz Age & Roaring 20’s A.Economic boom after WWI 1.Wealthy families grew even wealthier 2.The newly rich spent money on cars, houses, parties, etc. B.Women’s Independence 1.Independent women created the “flapper” style 2.Wore feather boas, bobbed hair cuts, jewelry, and danced the “Charleston” C.Prohibition 1.Conservative groups managed to make alcohol illegal 2.Speak-easies and bootlegging flourished

4. II.NYC & Urban Corruption A.Politicians and police took bribes to ignore bootlegging, prostitution, and gambling B.The era of the “gangster” 1.Arnold Rothstein controlled all illegal activities in the city 2.Gangsters like Al Capone became rich from bootlegging C.Traditional morals were non-existent

5. III.The 1919 Chicago “Black Sox” A.Chicago White Sox heavily favored in World Series B.Arnold Rothstein paid off eight players to intentionally lose the series C.Rothstein and his friends bet on the Cincinnati Reds D.Rothstein appears in The Great Gatsby as the character Meyer Wolfsheim

6. Themes 1.Culture Clash Traditional Mid-Western Values vs. amoral East Coast Old money vs. Newly rich East Egg vs. West Egg 2.American Dream Self-made wealth & happiness; youth & resourcefulness Corruption of the American Dream due to materialism

7. 3.Appearance vs. Reality Gatsby is not what he seems The attempt to re-create the past 4.Moral Corruption There are no spiritual values in a place where money reigns God and religion are dead There is no place for honesty and selflessness in Gatsby’s world