The Great Gatsby By F. Scott Fitzgerald
World War I (1914 - 1918) The horrors of WWI made Americans question traditional ideals. Literature and art denied foundations of the past and went for the new. Prompted the artistic movement called Modernism.
Modernism Modernism as a literary movement sought to find new ways to communicate. In fiction, writers stripped away descriptions of characters and setting and avoided direct statements of themes and resolutions- enabled individual interpretation of texts. Rejection of ideal hero in favor of a realistically flawed hero.
The 1920’s - The Jazz Age Reaction to the death/destruction/loss of innocence from WWI (post-war prosperity) During this time, there was a mass migration from rural areas to cities where “parties were bigger, the pace was faster, the buildings were higher, the morals looser” (Fitzgerald) Some called it the first truly modern decade Louis Armstrong and Duke Ellington were popular musicians of the day Dances like the Charleston, the Shimmy, and the Toddle were popular (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yNAOHtmy4j0)
The Jazz Age (cont’d) This was a period of pleasure seeking & reckless exuberance Most of Fitzgerald’s stories provide a picture of youthful indulgence and the antics of the liberated young women known as “flappers”, who rejected conventional values by wearing short skirts, short hair and make-up. Like Nick Carraway in the novel, Fitzgerald idolized the riches and glamor of the age, but he was uncomfortable with the unrestrained materialism and the lack of morality that went with it.
Prohibition (1920 - 1933) Sale of alcohol was prohibited in the United States; mandated by Constitutional amendment Ironically, liquor consumption only grew exponentially Lots of money to be made, creating criminals (bootleggers) Speakeasies were the places to consume liquor (bars)
F. Scott Fitzgerald Born in Minnesota in 1896 Started writing in school - finished his first play in 1911 In 1914 he fell in love with a girl who rejected him because he was not rich enough. In 1917 he received a commission as an infantry second lieutenant. In 1918 he reported to Camp Sheridan in Montgomery, Alabama, where he met Zelda Sayre, who later became his wife.
F. Scott Fitzgerald (cont’d) The Fitzgeralds moved to Great Neck, Long Island in October 1922 (Great Neck inspired the setting for The Great Gatsby) Fitzgerald's neighbours were newly wealthy New Yorkers. Great Neck became the new-money peninsula of "West Egg" and Manhasset Neck the old-money peninsula of "East Egg.”
F. Scott Fitzgerald (cont’d) Although Fitzgerald was a famous author, the couple spent the money much faster than he earned it. 1935-37 is known as the “crack up” in Fitzgerald life descent into alcoholism, in debt, and unable to be a present father for his daughter (sent to boarding schools) Fitzgerald died of a heart attack in 1940 Zelda died in a fire in 1948
Famous Works This Side of Paradise (1920) The Beautiful and the Damned (1922) The Great Gatsby (1925) Tender is the Night (1934) The Last Tycoon (unfinished)