Examples Of Opulence In The Great Gatsby

Opulence; a Common Façade Used in the 1920s After World War I, the United States experienced a period of prosperity, with many ordinary Americans enjoying newly found wealthy and fame. F. Scott Fitzgerald’s novel, The Great Gatsby, reveals the careless excess that was present during the era through the lavish parties thrown by the main character, Jay Gatsby. The novel was adapted into a movie by director, Baz Luhrmann, who faced the challenge of bringing the magnificence of Gatsby’s parties to life. To do so effectively, he sought inspiration from a 15th century triptych, The Garden of Earthly Delights, a painting by Hieronymus Bosch that shows how the period of paradise can cause people to eventually sin. Luhrmann’s intentions behind maintaining

Additionally, the main theme of the novel can also be seen in Wilbert Holloway’s 1925 political cartoon, which uncovers the use of affluence to cover up actual problems, for the sake of reputation. The grandeur of Gatsby’s parties, in addition to the other sources, displays the pervasiveness of opulence in the 1920s, and reveals that people usually showed off their glamorous lifestyle in order to keep certain realities hidden. Luxury and wealth were seen throughout society in the 1920s; lavish lifestyles were flaunted whenever possible as they represented high status and elegance. In her article, Hawker assets that Gatsby’s parties are “a declaration of worth and identity”, thrown by him in order to exhibit his wealth. The character’s reputation as a high member of society can be seen in how popular his parties are; the events are described as having “men and girls [that] came and went like moths” (Fitzgerald), while his mansion is shown being filled with well-dressed, wealthy people (Luhrmann). Remarks of Gatsby’s Rolls-Royce, and “eight servants” in the

Gatsby’s hidden secrets will haunt him and not allow his affluence lifestyle to stay the same for long. In regards to the cartoon, a façade was put up to distract the public, but it did not last long as soon after, the Great Depression hit, causing even the most wealthy and powerful to struggle. Showcasing false grandeur and contentment was used by many in the 1920s as a way to live in the flourishing present, while neglecting problems that later come back to haunt them. People in the 1920s looked for excuses to flaunt their affluence, and many of them often did so to cover up a possibly devastating secret. The Great Gatsby is one great example of the opulence present in the post-World War I era, as the main character throws grand parties, representing the excess of the era, but he also has an ulterior motive behind doing so. The novel reveals the mindset of the wealthy during that time and discloses their feeling of invincibility after suddenly being projected into a state of financial security. The era of glamour and grandiosity has taught the people today to be practical regarding moments of