Present-day's teenagers are confronted with two major points of criticism concerning their current "lifestyle". The first would be excessive partying with alcohol and other types of drugs whereas the other point concerns the materialism of today's youth. An open minded historian of the twentieth century might be very familiar with that kind of behaviour because it marvellously reflects the famous "Jazz Age" in its most outstanding social aspects.
These and other social characteristics of the "Roaring Twenties" are all shown in "The Great Gatsby" by F. Scott Fitzgerald. In the following term paper I want to describe and compare both the authenticity and the before mentioned social side of the "Jazz Age" in the original novel as well as in the two film adaptations by Jack Clayton and Baz Luhrmann.
Table of Contents:
I. Reincarnation of the Roaring Twenties in today's society
II. "The Great Gatsby" – novel and film adaptations
2.1 Francis Scott Fitzgerald's novel
2.2 Jack Clayton's film adaptation
2.3 Baz Luhrmann's film adaptation
III. The Historical Background
3.1 Manipulation of the World Series 1919
3.2 Prohibiton of alcohol in the 1920s
3.3 The "Jazz Age" in general
IV. Social Criticism
4.1 The role of women
4.2 Materialism
4.3 The American Dream
V. Commentary: The American Dream today
VI. The end of the Roaring Twenties
VII. Bibliography
Frequently Asked Questions
How does "The Great Gatsby" reflect the Jazz Age?
The novel portrays the excessive partying, consumption of alcohol during Prohibition, and the social dynamics of the 1920s, mirroring the lifestyle of the era.
What is the role of materialism in the story?
Materialism is a central theme, shown through the characters' obsession with wealth and status, which ultimately leads to moral decay and tragedy.
How is the American Dream portrayed by F. Scott Fitzgerald?
Fitzgerald offers a critical view of the American Dream, suggesting that the pursuit of happiness through wealth is often hollow and unattainable for those from lower social classes.
What historical events are referenced in the novel?
The novel references the manipulation of the 1919 World Series and the era of Prohibition, providing a realistic historical backdrop for the narrative.
Are the film adaptations faithful to the original novel?
The paper compares the adaptations by Jack Clayton and Baz Luhrmann, analyzing how they interpret the social criticism and authenticity of the "Roaring Twenties" differently.
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- Aaron Richter (Autor:in), 2013, The Great Gatsby. A versatile image of the Roaring Twenties, München, GRIN Verlag, https://www.grin.com/document/270794
