The Roaring Twenties: The setting of F. Scott Fitzgerald’s The Great Gatsby

The 1920’s  The 1920’s, also known as the Roaring Twenties (for its economic boom), was the post-war era.  With the ending of the war, the time had come for people to let go of their repressed ways and begin living again.  It was a time of great social change and everything was changing: Pleasure dominated and people prospered.  It was a time of excess; alcohol, social activity, frivolous sex, and jazz music were in abundance.  The following pages will give you a glimpse into the lifestyle of the 1920’s.

Excess Alcohol Consumption  Alcohol was in abundance, but this was a rather ironic situation.  Between the United States Government implemented PROHIBITION.  Prohibition meant that it was illegal to manufacture, sell, or consume alcohol.  The basis for prohibition were religious beliefs: the association of alcohol with sin.  An ultra-religious congressman from Minnesota, Andrew J. Volstead, was rigorously behind the 18 th amendment, and on January 29, 1920, Prohibition became the law of the land.

Gangsters Galore!  With prohibition came organized crime.  Saloons went underground and became ‘speakeasies’. Unlike saloons. they welcomed women, and droves of people came.  Gangsters such as Al Capone made their fortunes from organizing the import of alcohol illegally into the U.S. From liquor sales alone, Capone made 60 million dollars in one year.

Women’s Fashion  With the end of the war and the surge in prosperity, fashion was no longer limited to the wealthy.  Major changes were seen in women’s fashions, where a boyish figure and short hair was all the rage.

Men’s Fashion  Men wore very distinguished suits for business, and an outfit wasn’t fully complete without the right hat.  For a relaxed look, men took on a very preppy attire. The following pages will give you a brief look at 20’s attire for men, women, and children.

Sports  With the surge in social activity came an interest in sports and sports activities…

And an intense love for baseball… Babe Ruth became America’s favorite player.

And an intense sadness associated with it…  The Black Sox scandal rocked the nation in 1919, when several white Sox players were banned from playing baseball for throwing the World Series. Pressured into the scandal by other players, Shoeless Joe Jackson was never allowed to play baseball again.

Besides sports, entertainment in the 1920’s included silent films  Famous stars of the silent screen included funny man Charlie Chaplin, Heart throb Rudolph Valentino, and beauty icon Greta Garbo…

 The first talking film wasn’t released until May, 1929 Charlie Chaplin Rudolph ValentinoGreta Garbo

So What’s a ‘flapper girl’?  The term is always associated with the 1920’s so it should be explained:  According to F. Scott Fitzgerald, "Clara Bow is the quintessence of what the term 'flapper' signifies": a young woman who was "pretty, impudent, superbly assured, as worldly-wise, briefly-clad and 'hard-burled' as possible.

The “It” Girl  The 1920’s was a very sexual era as well and the silent screen actress Clara Bow defined what it was to be a liberated woman in the 20’s.  The flapper icon of the 1920’s, she was to become the inspiration for the cartoon Betty Boop in the 1930’s.

The Jazz Age  The term was coined by F. Scott Fitzgerald because Jazz music was to have such a profound impact and influence over society.  Jazz was all the rage and popular hotspots like the famous Cotton Club provided some of the best Jazz entertainment in the 1920’s

The Charleston With Jazz came a new form of dance, the Charleston, and swing dancing was soon to follow!

Prosperity  The 1920’s was a very prosperous time. It was a time of new money and new found wealth for many.  There was a distinct difference between new money and old money however.  The wealthy, stemming from old money, had a well-established and respected background. The “old money” clans often did not mingle with the new money clans, who were just beginning to build their fortunes from industry, investing, and other business.

Summary  So, hopefully, now you have a feel for the 1920’s and the things consuming society at the time: Money, fashion, alcohol, jazz, and just a pure “living life to the fullest” mentality.  As we read The Great Gatsby, by F.Scott Fitzgerald, try to keep some of these things in mind. They should help you picture the people and understand the events in the story.