The 1920s was widely known as the age of prosperity. With the economy booming, daily life was much easier and more enjoyable because of new technological advances and emerging forms of entertainment. The development of cars, both negatively and positively impacted America. The influx of automobile ownership was very demanding and became a part of everyday life. Henry Ford’s contribution to the auto industry revolutionized society and bettered the economy. Autos gave people more freedom, expanded social interaction, paved roads and traffic lights, created jobs, and etc. Even though the positive effects seem to outweigh the negative impact, it’s necessary to take into consideration the cons cars have. Car accidents, rebellious behavior, and pollutions …show more content…
Many people felt the urge to flaunt their possessions because they could with the help of the growing economy. This era was also known as the unprecedented affluence due to the unexpected abundance of wealth, property, and riches. Henry Ford transformed society for the better by introducing the assembly line, which was a line of workers and machines, assigned to one task and working on a product that would be passed and assembled at each point. This method allowed for autos to be produced faster and more efficiently, which was considered mass production. Mass production resulted in cheaper prices of consumer items, therefore, American citizens, including the middle class, could potentially afford it. Although prices dropped, not everyone could afford it. Owning a car displayed the clear distinction between the inhabitants of American society because vibrant colored and uncommon models of cars were expensive and something the wealthy could only possess. Gatsby, a wealthy man who lives in West Egg, occupied by new-money families, owns a yellow, “rich cream color” Rolls- Royce(68). When Nick first gazes upon his car, he’s astonished and describes its luxury as “bright with nickel, swollen here and there in its monstrous length” (68). Gatsby altered and molded his lifestyle to adapt to one that could reel in Daisy. His bright yellow car is a representation of his material wealth and he flaunts it in hopes of attracting Daisy. It …show more content…
The 1920s were called all sorts of names, ranging from the Roaring twenties to the Lawless Decade. This decade was viewed as a prosperous period, but the American citizens used it to their advantage in their own selfish ways. In general, people didn’t care about the environment and proceeded to pollute it by dumping pollutants and particles in essential sources like the waters and soil. They had little regard for their actions because they thought it didn’t affect them or that money was key. For example, Gatsby sped on the way to Wolfshiem with Nick and is pulled over by a police officer. After showing his identification card, he’s let go. This reflects the time period because people were thinking so recklessly and selfishly, knowing that they’ll be able to use their money and bail themselves out of trouble. Automobiles were used in a way that decreased family unity. It promoted freedom and provided people with the mobility of leaving the household. They attended social events more often than having dinner with family. During his and Daisy’s honeymoon, Tom snuck out with a chambermaid and “ran into a wagon on the Ventura road one night, and ripped a front wheel off his car” (82). He uses his auto as a getaway to experience the thrill of having an affair, but the adrenaline clouds his mind and causes him to impulsively drive his car into another. It was in the papers for a while, but the scandal