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Changes In The Great Gatsby

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After World War I, the United States went through a phase of utmost economic and social change. There was a lot of crime and many thought the reason for this was alcohol. The government established the 18th amendment, which made it illegal to consume and produce alcohol. Even this did not stop people from partying and drinking. This period of time was known as the Roaring Twenties. In F. Scott Fitzgerald’s novel, The Great Gatsby, the character Jay Gatsby is also involved in this shady business. Throughout the novel, more and more problems arose for Gatsby. Criminals engaged in bootlegging during the Prohibition by illegally selling alcohol, which led to more criminal activity and conflicts within society. This unlawful activity is also reflected …show more content…

Jay Gatsby’s shady business is seen in The Great Gatsby and highlights how affiliating with illegal activities can lead to immense wealth but also conflicts with others. One of the main businesses selling alcohol was through drugstores. They were stationed all through Chicago, Illinois and other major cities. It was common to import liquor from other countries and have them send it over the river between Detroit and Canada. In the article “Bootlegging,” many pharmacies applied for a liquor license so they too could sell alcohol. From doing this, a number of people “lived a lavish lifestyle, and amassed a $5 million fortune” (Batchelor 503). With a number of these illicit businesses, many people have gained huge amounts of wealth. They bequeathed this money down for generations. This is similar to how Tom obtained his wealth. Gatsby, on the other hand, actually got involved in bootlegging. When Tom confronted him about how the, “drug-store business was just a small change,” continued Tom slowly, “but you’ve got something on now that Walter’s afraid to tell me about.’” I glanced at Daisy, who was staring terrified between Gatsby and her husband” (Fitzgerald

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Brauer, Stephen. “Jay Gatsby and the Prohibition Gangster as Businessman.” The F. Scott Fitzgerald Review, vol. 2, 2003, pp. 51–71. , www.jstor.org/stable/41583051.

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Tom says Gatsby “sold grain alcohol over the counter” (Fitzgerald 134) Being involved in illegal activities in general does not end well. Being a bootlegger is also what made him rich. If he wasn't rich, his life would be very different and he most likely wouldn't have been

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In the novel, one of the character’s, Tom Buchannan, says to Gatsby, “He and this Wolfsheim bought up a lot of side-street drug-stores here and in Chicago and sold grain alcohol over the counter… I picked him for a bootlegger

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He turned to us and spoke rapidly. " He and this Wolfsheim bought up a lot of side-street drug-stores here and in Chicago and sold grain alcohol over the counter”’ (Fitzgerald 103). Disobeying the law was a consequence from Gatsby being set on becoming wealthy. Pursuing fame and wealth can lead to a long line of lies, as well as irrational

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Gatsby became involved in illegal activity to obtain some money to impress Daisy. His web of lies is discovered by Tom. “I found out what your ‘drug stores’ were.’ He turned to us and spoke rapidly. " He and this Wolfsheim bought up a lot of side-street drug stores here and in Chicago and sold grain alcohol over the counter.”

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In F. Scott Fitzgerald’s The Great Gatsby, Tim Seibles Dolores Jepps, and Jesmyn Ward's foreword, all of the texts show how holding onto the past and not being able to change can lead to great disappointment. This can be seen through Gatsby’s obsession with Daisy and the author's memories from the poem. The foreword also highlights the importance of change and how it affects Gatsby's dream. Gatsby’s idea of the past and his inability to move forward is seen throughout the novel, but it is especially seen when Nick says “He wanted to recover something, some idea of himself perhaps, that had gone into loving Daisy(Fitzgerald 85). This quote calls attention to Gatsby’s obsession with Daisy, which shows his lack of ability to move forward and accept changes.

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The 1920s were hard times for some United State citizens. With the ending of World War I a housing boom in Britain and the United States leads to an increase in homeownership. The League of Nations is founded but the United States votes against joining. The Russian Civil war ends but the country struggles as a famine begins in 1920 and worsens the following year. The 18th Amendment ( Volstead Act / National Prohibition Act ) goes into force at the beginning of the decade which in turn leads to increased black market alcohol that is sold in speakeasies and run by mobsters who pay off local politicians.

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Another example of Gatsby’s fraud is evident in his involvement in illegal activities. Despite the way he presents himself, Gatsby’s wealth is, in fact, earned from bootlegging. In “The American Dream in The Great Gatsby”, critic Carla Verderame states that “He works at various occupations—some of questionable integrity—to amass substantial wealth.” In other words, he collects his money in places he should not be, which shows his disregard for lawful boundaries in his pursuit of Daisy’s affection. Gatsby is not concerned with where the money comes from, he just wants to collect a great quantity so he can satisfy Daisy.

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This is during the age of prohibition, so bootlegging is a federal crime, which is even more proof that Gatsby has no respect for following the law. However, not every person can benefit from these

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In the novel The Great Gatsby by F. Scott Fitzgerald, the author reveals a few aspects, of prohibition that were actually true to life in the 1920s. Prohibition in the 20’s gave a rise bootlegging, speakeasies and other underground drinking establishments. Which Fitzgerald writes about in his novel. Tom in The Great Gatsby on page 107 demands “who is this Gatsby anyhow?”........

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His dreams and hopes came true in the book, but through some shady business. During this time period, alcohol was prohibited, but Gatsby wondered off into the ilegal businnesses. This happens in the book when Daisy’s husband, Tom Buchanan embarasses Jay when he says, “ He and this Wolfsheim bought up a lot of side-street drug-stores here and in Chicago and sold grain alcohol over the counter” (Fitzgerald 133). Jay Gatsby’s self confidence, dignity, and potential all deminish very quickly.

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The 1920s was a time of entrepreneurship, big spending, and partying. At the heart of these parties was the popular 1920s activity of drinking, Which was threatened by prohibition. The law of prohibition came into effect on January 16, 1920 and was intended to end drinking and drunkenness. However this policy backfired and sent the American alcohol industry into black market functions.

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He and this Wolfsheim bought up a lot of side-street drug-stores here and in Chicago and sold grain alcohol over the counter. That’s one of his little stunts. I picked him for a bootlegger the first time I saw him, and I wasn’t far wrong.” (7.127) Gatsby earned his fortune through the illegal sale and distribution of liquor. Rumors of Gatsby’s being a bootlegger circulated with partygoers in chapter four while indications that Gatsby may be involved in criminal activity are suggested in chapter five.

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I was in the drug business and then I was in the oil business. But I 'm not in either one now’” (Fitzgerald, 103). While this statement does not specifically imply illegal activity, one can assume Jay Gatsby gained money from any business in a way that was immoral. He chose to forget about conducting business ethically in order to climb the social ladder.

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