One of the most outstanding American novels that explore the ethos of the American dream is "The Great Gatsby", a symbolic presentation of America of 1920s, the era of unprecedented prosperity as well as corruption. Each of the characters of “The Great Gatsby” has his/her own concept of the “America Dream” and the goals they want to achieve.
The first chapter of the thesis deals with socio-political situation in the U.S. after the WW1. It will analyze the most vital issues for America of that era such as economic prosperity, prohibition, immigration as well as social changes related to the position of women (flappers) and the concept of success (self-made man).
Chapter Two analyzes the main features of the American “Roaring 20s” such as materialistic attitude towards life, striving to attain high social status, prohibition as well as social phenomena “flappers” and “self made man“ in the context of the events and the characters of The Great Gatsby. Its assumption is to reflect the 1920s through the standpoints of its characters as well as economic and social background of the fiction.
Table of Contents
CHAPTER I
Introduction
1.1.The Roaring Twenties.
1.2. Immigration
1.3. A new woman
1.4. The self-made man
1.5. Prohibition
1.6. The Jazz Age
1.7. The Great Depression
1.8. The American Dream
Chapter II
2.1. F. Scott Key Fitzgerald 's Life
2.2. American Dream perceived by the characters of The Great Gatsby
CHAPTER THREE
Introduction
3.1. Money in The Great Gatsby
3.2. Consumerism in The Great Gatsby
3.3. Social Stratification in The Great Gatsby
3.4. Prohibition in the Great Gatsby
3.5. The Flappers in The Great Gatsby
3.6 Jazz in the Great Gatsby
Research Objectives and Themes
This thesis examines the socio-political landscape of the United States during the 1920s and analyzes how F. Scott Fitzgerald reflects the era's economic prosperity, social changes, and moral dilemmas through the characters and settings of his novel, The Great Gatsby. The work explores the tension between the pursuit of the American Dream and the reality of materialistic corruption in the "Jazz Age."
- The impact of post-WWI socio-political changes on American society.
- The evolution of the "American Dream" concept and its manifestation in the characters.
- The influence of consumerism, materialism, and the rise of the "new rich."
- The role of prohibition in shaping illegal economies and organized crime.
- Social stratification and the shifting status of women, specifically the "flapper" phenomenon.
Excerpt from the Book
The Great Gatsby as a reflection of the “Jazz Age” America
One can mention numerous issues which are characteristic for America of 1920s. The most spectacular of them are depicted in chapter one of the thesis. The concept of“The American Dream”is one of the most significant topics. In the 1920's the spirit and ambitions of the American people show spectacular development. They realise that hard work could rise them to a higher social class. James Gatz, shares the spirit and ambition of the time. He dreams of transforming himself from a poor, young man that he was into a wealthy celebrity.
The American society experienced unprecedented economic prosperity which was associated with a flow of new products into the market. It resulted in pursuit of money and consumerism. The objective of the chapter is to prove their portrayal in the novel. Fitzgerald’s characters consume conspicuously which gives them an illusion of happiness. This is shown by Wolfsheim’s “specimens of human molars”, Gatsby’s house as an “imitation of some Hotel de Ville in” Normandy” and Myrtle's shopping and flat in New York .Fitzgerald, in The Great Gatsby, critiques and censures “Jazz Age” in America. It was a period when American society began to replace traditional values with modernism generally associated with the desire for wealth.
Summary of Chapters
CHAPTER I: This chapter provides an overview of the socio-political situation in the U.S. post-WWI, covering key issues such as economic prosperity, immigration, the rise of the flapper, and the myth of the self-made man.
Chapter II: This section details the life of F. Scott Fitzgerald and analyzes the concept of the American Dream as perceived by the characters within the novel.
CHAPTER THREE: This chapter contextualizes the novel as a reflection of the "Jazz Age," specifically analyzing themes of money, consumerism, social stratification, prohibition, and the shifting role of women in the 1920s.
Keywords
The Great Gatsby, F. Scott Fitzgerald, American Dream, Jazz Age, Roaring Twenties, Consumerism, Materialism, Prohibition, Social Stratification, Flapper, Self-made man, Nick Carraway, Jay Gatsby, Modernism, 1920s.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the primary focus of this work?
This thesis explores the intersection between the historical context of the American 1920s and its literary representation in F. Scott Fitzgerald's The Great Gatsby.
What central themes are examined in the analysis?
The core themes include the corruption of the American Dream, the rise of rampant materialism and consumerism, the social impact of Prohibition, and the changing identity of women in the "Jazz Age."
What is the primary research goal?
The objective is to demonstrate how the novel acts as a social commentary on the societal transformations and internal contradictions of America during the 1920s.
Which methodology does the author employ?
The research utilizes a literary analysis approach, contextualizing the novel's characters, plot developments, and symbols against historical events and sociopolitical phenomena of the era.
What does the main body of the work cover?
It provides a deep dive into the 1920s economic boom, the origins of the self-made man legend, the reality of the Prohibition era, and how social classes in the novel (Old Money vs. New Money) reflect contemporary realities.
Which keywords best characterize the work?
The study is defined by terms like The Great Gatsby, American Dream, Jazz Age, Consumerism, Prohibition, and Social Stratification.
How is Gatsby’s status as a 'self-made man' challenged in the text?
The thesis argues that while Gatsby embodies the ambition of the American Dream, his reliance on criminal activities and his inability to truly break into the aristocratic "old money" social circles highlights the hollowness of his achievement.
What role does the 'Valley of Ashes' play in the novel’s symbolism?
The Valley of Ashes serves as a stark representation of the destructive byproducts of modern, materialist society, housing those who are left behind by the era's prosperity, such as George and Myrtle Wilson.
- Quote paper
- MA Sylwia Mazur (Author), 2016, The Great Gatsby as a reflection of the "Jazz Age", America and the American Dream, Munich, GRIN Verlag, https://www.grin.com/document/370616
