The Great Gatsby is a novel set in rather turbulent post-war America. Here’s some background about the infamous ‘Land of the Free’…
The concept of the ‘American dream’ is often seen to equate to wealth and social success. However, the idea of having this set of innate American values was first laid down in the United States Declaration of Independence in 1776, which described “Unalienable rights” of “Life, Liberty and the pursuit of Happiness.” What all Americans ‘dreamt’ of, then, was not initially huge achievement and economic gain, but rather stability, contentment and freedom. The Great Gatsby presents a different set of American principles, however, with its focus on the reckless and extravagant lives of the elite. Why did Fitzgerald choose to write about this time in American history?
At the time of The Great Gatsby’s publication, America was experiencing significant change, not only in society but also in traditions and standards. For the younger generation particularly, the 1920s were a time of renewal as the nation re-established itself and reconsidered its values.
Following the chaos and destruction of World War I, America’s economy began to prosper: its total wealth increased by more than double between 1920 and 1929. Many people – specifically those living in cities, which for the first time overtook the number living in rural areas – now found themselves in a consumer society, exposed to nationwide advertising, chain stores, and the mass production of goods. By the end of the decade there was one car on the road for every five Americans, giving people the freedom to travel and make their own decisions. This was the Jazz Age: music, dancing and partying was wildly popular, especially among young people, although the older generation often considered jazz to be ‘vulgar’. Hence, a divide began to emerge between young Americans pioneering these social changes and the adults resisting them.
Many restrictions were placed on this ‘wild’ new society, such as the Prohibition – a law passed as part of the 18th Amendment of the Constitution, banning the manufacture and sale of alcohol. As a result people turned to illegal bars to provide them with alcohol; drinking culture lived on. In fact, extravagant wealth and nightlife only increased in significance for many Americans. Economist Thorstein Veblen coined the term ‘conspicuous consumption’, describing the tendency of consumers to buy expensive items to display their wealth rather than to satisfy their basic needs. This idea is present in chapter two when Nick describes Myrtle’s apartment in the city, which was “crowded to the doors with a set of tapestried furniture entirely too large for it.” It seems that Myrtle attempts to imitate the elite using shows of wealth, although this only succeeds in revealing her desperation to be seen as part of a group of people with whom she can never truly fit in. Fitzgerald demonstrates that money, possessions and social status became the focus on which people based their lifestyle. Another useful term here is ‘hedonism’, a concept that refers to living life purely for the pursuit of one’s own enjoyment, regardless of the consequences. Contentment became synonymous with financial and social success. Gatsby’s parties, for example, present the hedonistic attitudes of the upper classes, people who “were not invited – they went there.” Nick describes how “sometimes they came and went without having met Gatsby at all”, demonstrating the idea that these guests gave no thought to the effect of their presence, only that it would grant them enjoyment, and that they could profit from Gatsby’s wealth without having to give anything in return.
Ultimately, then, The Great Gatsby showcases some of the consequences of having an American Dream. Many of its characters have achieved this ‘dream’: they are wealthy and socially successful, with the freedom to make decisions and to live wildly. However, as we learn throughout the course of the novel, this success does not always mean happiness.