Daisy's Carelessness In The Great Gatsby

The year 1925 was filled with entertainment, opulence, and change. In America, a pound of bread could be bought for nine cents, and riches were amassed by selling liquor illegally. Prohibition, the ban on the production and distribution of alcohol, was passed as part of the temperance movement in 1919. This made way for illegal sale of alcohol and speakeasies. People became increasingly more rebellious and were just looking for a good time. However, Germany was still reeling from the loss of WWI. This allowed many to attempt to gain support and rise to power. During 1925, two very different books were published. The Great Gatsby by F. Scott Fitzgerald described the careless of Americans in the 1920s. While they had been concerned with enjoying themselves, Hitler spent time in jail writing his autobiography, Mein Kampf. Although Hitler's book
foreshadowed chaos throughout the world, the Great Gatsby showed that 1295 was a year of BLANK in America.
“It was an age of miracles,” Fitzgerald wrote, “it was an age of art, it was an age of excess, and it was an age of satire” (F. Scott Fitzgerald Biography). Fitzgerald said this because he was not just an observer of the 1920s, he was deeply immersed in all of it. The world remembers him for his accurate portrayal of what is now called the “Jazz Age.” In earlier time periods, the majority of the population resided on farms and the people were concerned with only essential products. Affluence spread throughout the country during the 1920s. Common people could make a fortune by selling alcohol illegally. The laws and police appeared to have lost control. Though the intentions behind prohibition may have been noble, it was a flawed amendment. “The people behind the prohibition movement truly had the heart of the nation at the forefront of their minds, but once people have the freedom to do something, it is very hard to take that away” (Schwan, Amy). Amy Schwan gave insight to why this occurred. The people had become so accustomed to having alcohol, it was almost viewed as a right that had been taken away from them. Efforts to remove alcohol were ignored, completely. America slowly sank into a state of corruption, concealed by fortune. Fitzgerald was not immune to this life of extravagance, and it affected him greatly.
Fitzgerald prospered when his books became popular. However, he made the mistake of falling in love with Zelda Sayre. Though he was mesmerized by a life filled with money, luxury, and success, his books also revealed the flaws of a life without purpose. His own life was extremely damaged. Zelda suffered from mental breakdowns, and he became an alcoholic. Drinking problems were not uncommon while prohibition was in effect. Amy Schwan gave a great explanation of why this occurred. “Because it was the "forbidden fruit," people gravitated towards it.” she said, “Much like today's attraction to illegal drugs, people with rebellious spirits succumb to temptation. Unfortunately, what was being produced illegally was far more dangerous than prior to prohibition.” The increases in wealth and drinking were not the only substantial changes in America
The affluent youth began challenging previous standards of proper behavior. This was shown in new fashion, with a more feminine silhouette and rising hemlines. However, modern dresses were not the only thing getting shorter. Women began to cut their hair in a bob which differed from the typical long style. Bobs could be worn with bangs or with hair brushed off the face. This style was widely accepted among younger, free-spirited women. A young, unruly woman who dressed in the contemporary style was referred to as a flapper. Appearance became very important during the 1920s. This was a result of it being an overall superficial time period.
The surrounding culture influenced Fitzgerald when he wrote many of his books.
The Great Gatsby surrounds three main characters: Daisy Buchanan, Jay Gatsby, and Nick Carraway. Daisy represents the carelessness of Americans during that time. She admires material things and is attracted to success. Comfort is considerably more important to her than making honorable decisions. Despite her flaws Gatsby loved her even though she was out of his reach. When they were younger, he was not wealthy enough to marry her. To solve this problem, he becomes involved in bootlegging, selling alcohol illegally. He attempts to “recreate” himself, by throwing lavish parties and purchasing ridiculous amounts of material items. Masses sought to remake themselves during the 1920s. Goals seemed more attainable, as did prosperity. Nick Carraway acts as an observer. He watches the way everything plays out, up to Gatsby’s downfall. He is very critical of the way other characters chose to live and can see the corruption beneath their wealth. Since Fitzgerald was writing from experience, the Great Gatsby accurately portrays America in the
1920s.
While rebellious attitudes and wild parties flourished in America, Hitler had been imprisoned.