The Great Gatsby takes place at the height of prohibition. Prohibition was the phase America went through in an attempt to outlaw the consumption and sale of alcoholic beverages. This phase was brought about by prohibitionists that believed that alcohol caused many morally incorrect situations. Many believed that alcohol was damaging American society and went against God’s will. Prohibition was introduced into American society by the 18th Amendment in January 1920. After a failed 13 years, in February 1933 the 21st Amendment was passed that repealed Prohibition. The Great Gatsby takes place in the summer of 1922, falling in the fresh phase of Prohibition.
Tom Buchanan accuses Gatsby of acquiring his wealth through bootlegging. Bootlegging is the illegal sale of alcohol during the Prohibition era. It’s known as bootlegging because oftentimes alcohol was smuggled in one's boot. For the era, there were many famous bootleggers but only one was known as the “King of the Bootleggers”. George Remus served as the inspiration for Fitzgerald’s Jay Gatsby. George Remus lived in Cincinnati, Ohio and is the real-life Gatsby. Remus served as an attorney and became invested in learning the loopholes of law. After defending many who became rich off of bootlegging he began to study the laws of Prohibition,
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Both bootleggers threw extravagant parties and were not shy about flaunting their respective wealth. George Remus would throw banquets and leave gifts of jewelry or sometimes even keys to a new car under the expensive plate. This resembles Gatsby’s lavish parties of music and dining every weekend with tons of guests. Additionally, what these men did during the party was strikingly similar as well. During his parties, Gatsby would often keep to himself, not engaging in the drinking activities that others were. During his parties, Remus would not smoke or drink but keep to himself in his