Modernism: 1900-1950 (The Jazz Age) Introduction to The Great Gatsby

People Writers: Musicians/Artists: F. Scott Fitzgerald – (1896-1940) Writer who married into wealth and wrote about the lifestyles of his contemporaries Langston Hughes – father of the Harlem Renaissance Gertrude Stein – (1874-1946) author, art collector Zora Neale Hurston – (1891-1960) author known for black, Southern regionalist writing Musicians/Artists: Duke Ellington – (1899-1974) most influential figure in Jazz music, major African American composer and musician Picasso – (1881-1973) Spanish artist; bold, new style very popular in America

The Times The Jazz Age occurred from 1918-1929, also known as “Roaring 20’s” (coincides with “Modernism,” 1900-1950) Began after WWI, ended with onset of Great Depression “Individualism” – self-reliance, independence, people do not adhere to established morals or conventions (especially women) Characterized by decline of values, coinciding with rise of wealth and materialism Known as a period of excess and lavishness Alcohol quite prevalent, despite Prohibition Act of 1920 Cars & telephones became household items Disillusionment after WWI – Americans tired of being at war, ready to party

The Times The Flapper – nickname for women who wore short skirts, danced, drank, and smoked cigarettes. Flappers wore short hair to defy tradition, and were considered a bit “loose.” (They would call themselves “modern.”) Greater acceptance of homosexuality, especially among the rich and famous; some men dressed & behaved more feminine

The Styles, continued Greater acceptance of minorities, especially in larger cities. Huge surge in popularity of African American art, music, and literature. (Harlem Renaissance)

Photos Duke Ellington & Dancers at The Cotton Club

Prohibition: The Women:

Prohibition: The Men:

The Old Victorian Woman (Realism Era)

The Flapper: The New Modern Woman

Art Duchamp, Nude Descending a Staircase Picasso, Three Musicians (example of cubism)

The Harlem Renaissance… Began in the 1920s and remained strong through the early 1930s, until the Depression took hold in the larger cities African Americans moved North to find jobs and established themselves in communities that flourished with music, art, and literature Began in Harlem, New York, but also took place in other areas (Chicago, Washington DC) Writers wrote much about racism, oppression, and poverty, but also explored other subjects related to culture and identity

The American Dream Pursuit of Promise… Three Central Ideas or Tenets:   Three Central Ideas or Tenets: America as a new “Eden” -A “promised land” of beauty, bounty, unlimited resources, promises, and endless opportunities. Americans have faith in progress, and we can optimistically expect life to keep getting better and better. Keep striving to get bigger and better. The independent, self-reliant individual will triumph. Anyone can be successful if you work hard enough.

The Breakdown of the Faith in the American Dream…Why? Occurs during the latter part of the Modernist period World War I and II: Vets experience PTSD or “shell shock”; widely recognized, but not quite understood The onset of the Great Depression; the pursuit of wealth turned to disillusionment (disappointment experienced after a great letdown)

F. Scott & Zelda Fitzgerald The Fitzgeralds were the “it” couple of the 1920s. He was the most famous writer to capture the age (The Great Gatsby), and she contributed greatly to his work, in addition to writing her own pieces.

The Flapper Dorothy Parker The Playful flapper here we see, The fairest of the fair. She's not what Grandma used to be, -- You might say, au contraire. Her girlish ways may make a stir, Her manners cause a scene, But there is no more harm in her Than in a submarine. She nightly knocks for many a goal The usual dancing men. Her speed is great, but her control Is something else again. All spotlights focus on her pranks. All tongues her prowess herald. For which she well may render thanks To God and Scott Fitzgerald. Her golden rule is plain enough - Just get them young and treat them rough.