The reason for my post though is not to discuss Nick's narration, but the setting of the novel. It takes place in the summer of 1922, a time of jazz and prohibition; one of ten years that constitute as the "roaring twenties." What I'm wondering is why that's such a popular time to write about. Couldn't this novel have taken place at a different time? Coming from a theatre geeks prospected, the roaring twenties is almost cliché because it is so over-used. And in each play, musical or novel I've seen or read, there has a been at least one moment of illegal drinking. Now those two words have a different meaning these days, but back then, alcohol was illegal. I don't understand why this common denominator exists. The question I'm posing is: Why the twenties?
Tuesday, September 14, 2010
The Roaring Twenties
Stylistically speaking, we have been told that Fitzgerald sets many of his scenes during parties. So far, there have been two gatherings of some sort. In each, Nick has met at least one new person, and formed an opinion about him or her quickly. Whether he is biased or not remains unseen to me. I do not agree that he is 100% neutral. It's possible, but I am not convinced yet. His opinions of people are harsh. Tom is not a good person, but I doubt he's as horrible as Nick believes. To me, Tom has a temper, and gets bored easily. I wouldn't want to associate with him, but he must have his good points. However, so far, all we are seeing are his bad points, described by Nick.
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I think Fitzgerald is using the "roaring twenties" setting as an escape for Tom Buchanan. So far, we have seen the way Tom lives with his mistress, and how he lives with Daisy. Tom's life with Daisy is described as bleak and boring, despite the deteriorating facade of happiness they put on for outsiders. When Tom Buchanan is with Myrtle, his mistress, it is a time of bliss. All the anger and frustration caused by their everyday-lives is gone when they leave together. They go to the city where they drink, socialize, and party. Tom and Myrtle can forget the extra baggage weighing them down, wishing they could leave those lives behind. I'm not implying that Tom and Myrtle's doings are right, I'm saying that they need an escape. They both rushed into marriages, a huge regret now. Myrtle says, "I married him because I thought he was a gentleman. I thought he knew something about breeding, but he wasn't fit to lick my shoe." Fitzgerald uses the exhilaration of the "roaring twenties" to represent Tom and Myrtle's escape from the lives they wish they hadn't led, and wish they could now leave behind together. A question I pose is: why does Fitzgerald need to give Tom an escape if he portrays Daisy as a fairly easy woman to be married to?
ReplyDeleteFirst of all, Tom and Daisy seem to be bored with their lives. they are constantly moving and changing. They are so rich, Neither of them know what to do. Tom's affair could just be another way of trying to make his life interesting. At the same time, Tom does not seem to have a moral compass. He is open about his affair, and he gets angry easily. for instance, he punched Myrtle in the face, demonstrating childish behavior and a lack of self control. I don't know that F. Scott Fitzgerald's intention was to use the "roaring twenties" for Tom and Myrtle's relationship. i believe it was along that line. It was a time that demonstrated human behavior. There was so much excess that rich individuals were insulated from normal, day to day behaviors. My question is, what/or does Fitzgerald comment on about society in this time? is it an objective view or a moral comment?
ReplyDeleteThe 1920s were times of great economic and social change. For this reason they are quite popular as settings in theater, literature, and movies. The new generation was being exposed to a much higher level of wealth, social freedom, and culture. My guess is that people were split, between the humble, hardworking, conservative members of the old generation, and the fun, jazzy members of the new generation. This split was good material for authors/playwrights who wanted to comment on the social divide.
ReplyDeleteI think so far everyone has missed the most obvious answer. The book is set in the twenties because it was written IN the twenties.Being published in 1925 the book was then a novel pertaining to the then modern times. It was not a cliche at all. In-fact I would not be surprised to learn that it was a radical publication for its time. To summarize The Great Gatsby was written as a social commentary for the then modern era.
ReplyDeleteOne observation I would make about your post, Leslie, is that Tom and Myrtle's time together is not "bliss"; they seem to each bring the frustration and anger with them to their apartment. We see this anger come out when Tom strikes Myrtle. I would agree, though, that both characters seek what the other can provide: a view into a different life. For Myrtle, Tom's position in the upper class is exciting; he can provide gifts for her that George cannot. For Tom, Myrtle's position in the lower class is equally exciting. We learn that Tom has had a previous affair, with a chambermaid, and we can assume that she was also poor. Tom seems to be intrigued by women from lower social classes.
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