“The Lost Generation” is a term which encompasses a broad range of American authors who were born around 1900. Amongst those litterateurs are many who are said to be among the most influential and important writers in the history of American letters. This term paper shall examine what historical circumstances constituted the “common adventures” and “common attitudes” of that generation as reflected in Fitzgerald’s novel The Great Gatsby.
The term “The Lost Generation” was given by Gertrude Stein, an authoress of note and contemporary of both Fitzgerald and Hemingway, who used her quotation: “you are all a lost generation,” as the epigraph for his novel The Sun Also Rises. What is meant by the attribute “lost”? Why was this dismal term applied to the young adults of the 1920s – an era of prosperity and freedom in America? How did Fitzgerald depict this “lost” world in The Great Gatsby, with respect to material abundance on the one hand versus spiritual poverty on the other?
The zeitgeist of an era inevitably shapes the human beings who live in it: how they act, what they look like, and what they think the meaning of their lives in particular and humanity in general might be. Therefore, it is necessary to explore the 1920s in America in order to understand fully the meaning Fitzgerald communicates in The Great Gatsby.
This paper will therefore investigate several characteristics of the decade which are relevant for the interpretation of the novel. The parameters to be surveyed are: society in general; the materialism, wealth and industrialization which created that society; Prohibition as one of the most significant elements of the 20s; the faltering faith in God (as but one example of the failure of institutions that were supposed to be a refuge for human beings); and the loss of faith in the American dream and other treasured ideals. These issues will be analyzed in consideration of The Great Gatsby and the question of how Fitzgerald uses them as tropes for his social criticism of the so called Jazz Age.
The paper will be based on a number of monographs and anthologies dealing with the major American writers and literature of the 1920s as well as the historical context that shaped their literary vision. The particular focus will be on Fitzgerald’s seminal novel, The Great Gatsby, as it incorporates and inflects the major historical and literary themes of its time.
Inhaltsverzeichnis (Table of Contents)
- 1 Introduction
- 2 Society and its Loss of Values
- 3 Materialism, Wealth and Industrialization
- 4 Prohibition
- 5 The Dwindling Faith in God
- 6 The Lost American Dream
Zielsetzung und Themenschwerpunkte (Objectives and Key Themes)
This paper examines the historical circumstances that shaped the "Lost Generation" of American authors born around 1900, as reflected in F. Scott Fitzgerald's The Great Gatsby. It explores how the events and attitudes of the 1920s influenced the characters and themes within the novel.
- The impact of World War I on American society and the subsequent disillusionment.
- The rise of materialism, wealth, and industrialization, and their effect on social values.
- The societal impact of Prohibition and its reflection in the novel's narrative.
- The decline of faith in traditional institutions, including religion.
- The loss of the American Dream and its implications for individuals.
Zusammenfassung der Kapitel (Chapter Summaries)
1 Introduction: This introductory chapter establishes the paper's central focus: exploring the historical context of the "Lost Generation," particularly as depicted in Fitzgerald's The Great Gatsby. It introduces the concept of the "Lost Generation," its origins in Gertrude Stein's assessment, and the paper's aim to analyze the socio-historical factors contributing to this perception. The chapter outlines the specific elements of the 1920s that will be examined to understand Fitzgerald's portrayal of the era in his novel, including societal shifts, materialism, Prohibition, religious faith, and the American Dream. The methodology, relying on literary criticism and historical analysis, is also established.
2 Society and its Loss of Values: This chapter delves into the societal atmosphere of the 1920s, tracing its roots back to the disillusionment following World War I. It highlights President Wilson's prediction of increased brutality and intolerance post-war, a prediction that the chapter argues manifested in events such as the Sacco and Vanzetti case, Harding administration corruption, and the Scopes Trial. The rise of the Ku Klux Klan, with its intolerance towards minorities, is presented as a further indication of the prevailing societal climate. The chapter connects this societal backdrop to Fitzgerald's portrayal of characters in The Great Gatsby, particularly Tom Buchanan, who embodies the era's intolerance and brutality. The chapter concludes by illustrating the prevalence of indifference and self-centeredness among the novel's characters, further highlighting the loss of social values during this period.
Schlüsselwörter (Keywords)
Lost Generation, The Great Gatsby, F. Scott Fitzgerald, 1920s, American society, materialism, wealth, industrialization, Prohibition, faith, American Dream, World War I, social criticism, Jazz Age, intolerance, disillusionment.
Frequently Asked Questions: Analysis of F. Scott Fitzgerald's *The Great Gatsby* and the Lost Generation
What is the overall focus of this paper?
This paper examines the historical context of the "Lost Generation" of American authors, focusing on F. Scott Fitzgerald's *The Great Gatsby*. It explores how the events and attitudes of the 1920s shaped the novel's characters and themes.
What key themes are analyzed in the paper?
The paper explores several key themes, including the impact of World War I, the rise of materialism and industrialization, the effects of Prohibition, the decline of faith in traditional institutions, and the loss of the American Dream. These themes are analyzed through the lens of their reflection in *The Great Gatsby* and the broader socio-historical context of the 1920s.
What historical events are discussed in relation to *The Great Gatsby*?
The paper discusses several significant historical events of the 1920s, including the disillusionment following World War I, the Sacco and Vanzetti case, Harding administration corruption, the Scopes Trial, and the rise of the Ku Klux Klan. These events are linked to the social and moral climate depicted in Fitzgerald's novel.
How does the paper analyze *The Great Gatsby*?
The paper uses literary criticism and historical analysis to connect the events and societal shifts of the 1920s to specific characters and themes within *The Great Gatsby*. For example, Tom Buchanan is presented as an embodiment of the era's intolerance and brutality.
What is the structure of the paper?
The paper is structured with an introduction, chapters focusing on societal shifts and the loss of values, materialism, Prohibition, the decline of faith, and the loss of the American Dream. Each chapter offers a summary and analysis relating the historical context to the novel.
What are the main chapters and their content?
The paper includes chapters on the introduction (establishing the focus and methodology), society and its loss of values (examining post-war disillusionment and its impact), materialism, wealth and industrialization (exploring their societal effects), Prohibition (analyzing its social impact), the dwindling faith in God, and the lost American Dream. Each chapter connects historical events to themes in The Great Gatsby.
What are the keywords associated with this analysis?
Key words include: Lost Generation, The Great Gatsby, F. Scott Fitzgerald, 1920s, American society, materialism, wealth, industrialization, Prohibition, faith, American Dream, World War I, social criticism, Jazz Age, intolerance, and disillusionment.
What is the intended audience for this analysis?
The analysis is intended for academic use, supporting structured and professional analysis of themes in *The Great Gatsby* and the historical context of the Lost Generation.
- Quote paper
- Toni Friedrich (Author), 2007, The Roaring Twenties - Historical Circumstances of "The Great Gatsby", Munich, GRIN Verlag, https://www.grin.com/document/184585
