The Roaring ’20s

Technological Boom “Mass production leads to mass consumption” –Automobiles –Urban Centers Grow

A. Automobiles of the 1920s ,000 cars per year, ,504,000 cars

B. Appliances of the 1920s Household appliances become more affordable. – Sewing machines, dishwashers, stoves Installment credit boom allowed for more people to buy what they couldn’t pay cash for.

C. Urban Centers Grow Skyscrapers are popping up everywhere (if you can’t build out, build up!) Cultural luxuries like automobiles, radio, movies, and other electrical “wonders” centered in large cities like New York.

D. Social Aspects Prohibition (18 th Amendment) –Speakeasies- storefronts or restaurants where people went to purchase alcohol and socialize –Organized crime- Chicago’s Al Capone is a big name and the Chicago “Black Sox” of 1919 –Bootlegging- people who illegally distilled or distributed alcohol.

Harlem Renaissance Black Nationalism is a response to the growing KKK presence in the South. “Jazz Age” – Coined by F. Scott Fitzgerald – Louis Armstrong, Ella Fitzgerald – Charleston (a type of dance) – Flappers style of clothing for women and zoot suits for men.

Middle Class Middle class developing as a result of World War I. Suburbs were a result 1% of the wealthy held 51% of the national wealth –Primarily located on the East Coast New York Boston

Historical/Political Events Several international wars that didn’t involve the U.S. (ex: Irish Civil War, Turkish-Armenian War) Rise of Communism and Fascism Women Suffrage: more women working outside of the home October 29, 1929: Black Tuesday 4 Presidents: Wilson, Harding, Coolidge, Hoover

F. Scott Fitzgerald Francis Scott Key Fitzgerald Born in St. Paul, Minnesota, 1896, Upper Midwest 1917 joined the army (WWI) While in the army, he met his wife Zelda. He was engaged before the war. They had an on again, off again relationship. He had a promising rough draft for a book- Zelda wanted him to write. When it was rejected, she broke off the engagement (1919).

F. Scott Fitzgerald March 26, 1920 he published a book, married Zelda. Wrote The Great Gatsby in France. Zelda had an affair in France. Suffered from alcoholism throughout his life and died from complications of alcoholism.

The Facts Setting : Long Island and New York City, East Egg, West Egg Time: Summer 1922 Narrator: Nick. Point of View : 1 st person Tense: Past Protagonist: Nick and/or Jay Gatsby Main Characters: Nick, Gatsby, Daisy, Tom, Myrtle, Jordan

Nick Carraway He is the narrator. He is new to Long Island. He rents a house next to Gatsby’s house. He is cousin to Daisy and an old college friend of Tom.

Jay Gatsby He is very wealthy. He throws the best parties. He is very mysterious. No one knows where he comes from or how he earned his money. He is in love with Daisy.

Daisy Buchanan She is married to Tom. She knows he is having an affair. She used to be in love with Jay before she got married. She is very selfish. She is cousins with Nick and good friends with Jordan.

Tom Buchanan Wealthy, egotistical. He is having an affair with a woman named Myrtle. He can be cruel. He went to Yale with Nick.

Jordan Baker She is a dishonest golfer. She dates Nick in the novel. She is good friends with Daisy. She is the first one to mention Gatsby in the book.

Myrtle Wilson She is part of the working class. She is married to George Wilson (who owns a garage). She is having an affair with Tom Buchanan.

Setting Map