The Great Gatsby Context

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  • The Great Gatsby Context
    • F. Scott Fitzgerald
      • 1896-1940
      • parallels between his relationship with Zelda an TGG.
        • Zelda briefly accepted his marriage proposal then refused it later on.
          • She had an affair and left him.
        • "I hope it'll be a fool"
          • said by Zelda and Daisy after coming round from ether when giving birth
        • He met Zelda whilst being stationed closer to home before being deployed.
          • Gatsby meets Daisy whist waiting to be deployed
        • he wanted his first novel published quickly in order to win Zelda with materialism.
          • Jay Gatsby tries to impress Daisy with his riches.
      • Famous for his depictions of the jazz era
      • Was part of the U.S. army
      • moved to long island
        • where Gatsby lives
        • both have lavish parties
    • Gatsby was a reflection of  F. Scott Fitzgerald.
      • wanted to go back to his early love with his wife as Jay does with Daisy.
      • both live in long island and have lavish parties
      • both in the army
      • very similar relationships
      • use materialism to win over women.
    • Historical Context
      • WW1
        • young men came back from the war emotionally scarred.
          • e.g Jay and Nick
            • turned to wild living and unrestrained materialism to compensate.
          • men wanted to take back control of their own lives.
      • 1922-1929 post war spending increased. massively.
        • stocks rose and massive commercial growth.
        • money was spent on consumer goods rather than essentials as people grew richer.
      • celebrity culture.
      • jazz age/roaring twenties
        • bootleggers bought and sold alcohol illegally
          • Gatsby was a bootlegger.
          • there was a lot of money and everyone was focused on seeking pleasure.
      • prohibition introduced 1920
        • bootleggers bought and sold alcohol illegally
          • Gatsby was a bootlegger.
          • there was a lot of money and everyone was focused on seeking pleasure.
    • Criticism of The American Dream
      • Gatsby was a self-made man
      • his dream was to become rich and win over Daisy.
      • he achieves his dream at the cost of his morals and standards,
        • Gatsby was a self-made man
        • even though he achieves riches and power it doesn't cause Daisy to be with him she only has an affair.
          • message that there are things you cannot achieve through the American Dream.
          • cant achieve the important things i.e. love, happiness
          • wealth and possessions are shallow and  meaningless.

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