1. The Great Gatsby historical context

2. The End of World War I War ended in 1918 Nine million men died.
A new kind of war—machine guns, chemical weapons
Little was known about PTSD and the psychological impact of war
Many former soldiers were disillusioned and struggled to adjust

3. 1920s Economy Bounced back after the war Lots of money to be made
Products and credit lines—people could buy more than ever
Cars became affordable for the first time

4. New Roles for Women Women voted for the first time in 1920
Cars gave women a new level of freedom
Hemlines got higher; fashion was more daring
Makeup, “bobbed” hair

5. Prohibition
The 18th Amendment made it illegal to sell or consume alcohol—so gangsters took over the business
People who sold liquor were called “bootleggers”—could get it at drug stores and soda counters
Bars were called “speakeasies”—might be hidden behind a barbershop or other business, or underground

6. Entertainment Jazz emerged as a popular form of music
Radios became commonplace and affordable
Movies and the first movie stars
Lots of dancing and liquor-fueled parties
Money to spend on entertainment
The Charleston!

7. As a result of this…
“I can do anything” feeling (success-wise, morality-wise)
Resurgence of the “American Dream” that brought immigrants to America in the first place: the belief that anything is possible
A feeling of optimism, celebration, and potential

8. BUT… this was an illusion
Over time, there were fewer jobs as there was no need for wartime production
Women now competing for jobs
Things owned / bought with “virtual money” (stocks / credit & debt)—not real cash
A loss of morals due to the liquor- and party-fueled atmosphere
Superficial values
It couldn’t last.

9. F. Scott Fitzgerald

10. Fitzgerald’s background
One of the “lost generation” of writers that included Hemingway, Steinbeck, T. S. Elliot, and others
Came from “old money”, but was really an outsider in wealthy society

11. Fitzgerald’s background
Served in the Army, but didn’t actually see action in WWI
Felt inadequate about this
Idolized soldiers—all of his books’ heroes have military experience

12. Scott and Zelda
Fell in love with Zelda Sayre, a wealthy Alabama socialite
Fitzgerald was already writing, but the romance fueled a desire to succeed
The two got engaged and moved to New York after the war, but Fitzgerald was rejected over and over

13. Success
Fitzgerald finally achieved success with This Side of Paradise, which captured the feelings of the 1920s and made him a celebrity
He and Zelda finally married in 1920.

14. Fitzgerald’s lifestyle
Though Scott and Zelda had a daughter, Scottie, their 1920s lifestyle was extravagant and over-indulgent
They spent money as quickly as they made it and were always in debt

15. Career in decline
Fitzgerald never again achieved the kind of success he’d had with his first book.
He wrote short story collections to make a living and support his family.
When The Great Gatsby was published in 1925, it was a critical and commercial failure.

16. A sad ending
Zelda suffered a nervous breakdown in 1930, and would be in and out of sanitariums for the rest of her life, struggling with schizophrenia
Fitzgerald supported her for the rest of his life, continuing to publish short stories and even working in Hollywood
He had been an alcoholic for most of his life and died of a heart attack in He was only 44 years old.

17. Gatsby’s Legacy
During World War II, The Great Gatsby was one of many books that were given to soldiers for free—it began to rise in popularity
By 1945, it started showing up on bestseller lists as it was sold in paperback
It is now appreciated for its important themes and its excellent writing
Though Fitzgerald never lived to see it, Gatsby is now considered a Great American Novel.

18. Themes: The Emptiness of the American Dream
Money can’t buy happiness—but happiness is impossible without it
Class—old money vs. new money, haves and have-nots.
Is love more important than money?
Is it possible to repeat the past? Regain what was lost?

19. Gatsby Geography

20. Gatsby Geography
New York & Long Island

21. NEW YORK CITY (MANHATTAN)
Gatsby Geography
EAST EGG
WEST EGG
“Valley of Ashes”
NEW YORK CITY (MANHATTAN)

22. The Mansions

23. Characters: Nick Carraway
First-person narrator of the book
Comes from “old money”, but, like Fitzgerald, is really an outsider
Lives in “West Egg”; works in Manhatten—stockbroker
Daisy’s cousin

24. Characters: Daisy Buchanan
A socialite from Louisville, Kentucky
Comes from tremendous wealth
Known for her voice—”full of money”
Superficial, careless, beautiful, lacks substance.

25. Characters: Tom Buchanan
Daisy’s insanely wealthy husband
Went to college with Nick—was a great athlete
Brutish, racist, not very bright, and very opinionated
An adulterer

26. Characters: Jordan Baker
Nick’s love interest
A famous golfer
Young, beautiful, and like Daisy, lacking substance
Was suspected of cheating by moving her ball

27. Characters: Jay Gatsby
Owns the mansion next door to Nick in West Egg
Throws enormous parties
No one knows much about him or what he does
Charismatic and very handsome

28. Characters: The Wilsons
Live in the Valley of Ashes—George owns a garage
Miserable couple—George is sad; Myrtle is unhappy in the marriage