Flapper In The Great Gatsby

The Great Gatsby, written by Scott Fitzgerald, is a fictional story reflecting the author’s life during the 1920’s. He illustrates the glamor, the corruption, and the celebration of the 1920’s throughout this novel. While all characters in the novel embody these qualities, one does so while also fulfilling the role of the 1920’s most famous icon: the flapper. Jordan Baker, a rich mysterious woman who cheats in golf tournaments and parties will many boys is Scott Fitzgerald's representation of the flapper. But what Fitzgerald doesn’t touch on is the societal impact of the flapper. From the flapper's iconic fashion to her role in the Harlem Renaissance to her pioneering for the modern women, the flapper is more than a simple, rich, party goer.

It is debated whether their nickname came from a young bird flapping its wings or a more scandalous origin such as a Northern England word used to insult teenage girls They participated in nontraditional activities such as partying, drinking, driving cars, and having a job. This defied the Victorian gender roles where women had no freedom, were submissive to their husbands, and expected to be innocent and pure. These new behaviors flappers engaged in were a response to the liberation women had received by gaining the right to vote. Flapper were known for their iconic look of knee length dresses, flat chests, bobbed hair, and heavy makeup. This look was a drastic change from Victorian fashion: thick heavy dresses, embellished necklines, long hair, and moderate makeup. Flappers short hair and bounded chest created a more androgynous look that reflected their new societal views. That women were equal to men and woman did not have to feminine and soft looking to be

As jazz, a product of the Harlem Renaissance became such a big part of American culture in the 1920s it was flappers who popularized this Black expression. Flappers and the Harlem Renaissance were both movements against oppressive social norms as well. The Harlem renaissance was a huge movement of the Black community saying we have our own culture, it’s beautiful and it’s powerful, and we don’t need to adapt to White social norms to be a part of America. While flappers kind of sang the same tune about women’s rights. They embodied the idea that women are equal to men, can do the same things as men, but don’t have to be men to be successful and have fun. Black flappers are often erased from textbooks, and information about the 1920s yet they’re the truest symbol of this era. Black flappers represented the celebration of women and also the celebration of being Black. Two huge cultural movements happening in an era. The Harlem renaissance and women being able to vote are two huge societal steps forward for America and equality. The 1920’s was a progressive era for the progressive people of America and represents this era quite like a Black