Excesses Of Life In The Great Gatsby By F. Scott Fitzgerald

The Great Gatsby symbolizes the excesses of life in the American 1920s. The 1920s are known as a time where America was “alive,” meaning there was the unbridled promise of wealth and prosperity for all. The Great Gatsby takes a snapshot of America when it was full of ambitious newcomers, parties for the rich, illegal consumption of alcohol, and flappers. All of these made the “Roaring Twenties” a wondrous topic for future generations to talk about. Although the Roaring Twenties seems to be an amazing time in America, The Great Gatsby proves otherwise. Because money flowed as easily as bootleg liquor during the 1920s, many Americans chased the seemingly attainable “American Dream.” Those who weren’t born rich had to navigate a life

Women of the 1920s became more untraditional, Jordan being one of them. These women who chose to live outside of traditional social mores were called flappers. Flappers of the 1920s were “ young women who wore short skirts, bobbed their hair, and danced, smoked, drank illegal alcohol, and partied throughout the Roaring Twenties” (Resor). Flappers believed that women didn’t need to stay home all the time to become housewives and believed that women had the right to freedom and fun. During the 1920s, Prohibition explicitly prevented the use of alcohol. Although alcohol was illegal during Prohibition, Americans from all walks of life flaunted this rule and would frequent establishments that served alcohol. In fact, the illegal usage and selling of alcohol made the Roaring Twenties the “Roaring Twenties,” a time of throwing off social constraints and ignoring laws to hopefully better one’s social standing. Gatsby’s parties encapsulated the rebellion against laws and became a hot spot for the illegal use of alcohol. “In his blue gardens men and girls came and went like moths among the whisperings and the champagne and the stars” (39). Gatsby’s parties are filled with a mass of humanity that believes unconventional views about illegal drinking, flappers, and people of power and money partying together. The illegal sale and use of alcohol, untraditional women, and opulent parties exemplify how traditional

Power, unfortunately, corrupts individuals who hold the power, which caused the further separation of social classes. An example of using one’s name or power to duck consequences happens when Gatsby is pulled over by the police in New York. Gatsby simply shows the police officer a business card, and the policeman simply lets Gatsby and Nick go purely because of the fact it’s Gatsby. “Right you are, agreed the policeman. Tipping his cap. Know you next time Mr. Gatsby, excuse me” (68). Tom and Daisy have a very good reputation because they have been lucky enough to have been born into the monied class. The power to duck serious consequences is shown when Daisy accidentally killed Myrtle. When Nick talks to Gatsby about the accident, Gatsby says, “Well, I tired to swing the wheel- He broke off, and suddenly I guessed at the truth. Was Daisy driving? Yes” (143). Nick fully understands that Gatsby is not the one who killed Myrtle, but Daisy feels no remorse when she lets Gatsby take the blame for her actions because Gatsby is from a lower social class. Tom is originally blamed for Myrtle's death because he drove the same car that hit Myrtle, “Listen, said Tom, shaking him a little. I just got here a minute ago, from New York. I was bringing you that coupé we’ve been talking about. That yellow car I was driving this afternoon wasn’t mine- do you hear?” (140).Tom quickly absolves himself from any blame while talking to