American society in the 1920s attempted to break away from the traditional, paternal rule of the European monarchy, instead choosing to support a country free from rules and constraints. Such features are expressed mainly through the characters in The Great Gatsby by F. Scott Fitzgerald - they all represent the typical wealthy American. Like everyone else, they value freedom, liberty, and seek for economic growth and higher social status. Some of the characters are also subject to disillusionment and seek to avoid reality, which reveals the spirit of the times. Such factors are portrayed throughout Chapter 1 with the effective use of diction, tone, colour imagery, and various literary devices. The theme of freedom is expressed by Jordan and Daisy - the descriptions of the two characters as well as quotes from them successfully capture the culture and the spirit of America. For example, Jordan Baker is described as a masculine woman when Nick comments on her by saying that “I [Nick] was almost surprised into murmuring an apology for having disturbed her by coming in.” This depiction characterises Jordan as a modern woman, with man-like features and charisma - this creates a contrast …show more content…
Daisy first unveils her disillusionment regarding marriage in Chapter 1, when Nick comes over for dinner; when she was giving birth “Tom was God knows where,” and everyone knows that “Tom’s got some woman in New York.” Being psychologically unstable and being disillusioned after World War I was a large part of the spirit of the times, since everyone was obsessed with earning more money and gaining happiness, only to discover how one side of them felt hollow and even depressed. The same applies for Daisy - she is beautiful, admirable, and even rich, but she hates her child and her husband doesn’t love