Wednesday, January 30, 2013
Environment of The Great Gatsby
Now that you are already researching material relating to The Great Gatsby, your task is to choose one of the major areas of research (The Roaring 20s, The Great Depression, Flappers, or The Jazz Age). In your own words, discuss your particular interest in this topic. What did you learn from the research that you did not realize before? How does this information help you to visualize how the Great Gatsby fit into the era of the 20s? If you had lived during this period of time, how do you believe you would have enjoyed or not enjoyed life?
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The Roaring Twenties was a time of prosperity in America. Music started to take off because of the the jazz style. I never realized that the musicians had moved from the Deep South up to Chicago. Eventually New York was home to a lot of hopeful jazz musicians and many made a name for themselves. Along with the music came the clubs that made the night scene so great. Young women and men went out for a night on the town and danced the night away. A lot of women took advantage of this because they started to feel equal to men. Flappers were women who wore shorter skirts and cut their hair to show independence. I learned that the women just wanted to fit in with the men and be treated equally. Another reason why the decade was so great was because of all of the new inventions that were being produced. I think that advertisements really help businesses to spread word about their product and they made customers really want the product. Kitchen appliances and common household items were some of the most popular products. It may seem that I talked about all of the topics, but that is exactly what the Roaring Twenties was all about. It was a time when America had money to give and not worry about how they are going to get it back. The economy was in a great spot and America wasn't in debt. The decade will always be know as one that brought about change to America and we still use some of these changes today. The media is a big part of society today and that all started when radio and magazines became big in the 1920's. I think that Gatsby really lived in this decade because he had those parties all the time. He had jazz musicians play and they kept the party going all through the night. Everyone on the book was able to make a living, even if they weren't all super rich. I had never thought about it this way before because I forgot how great the 1920's were and how most people were able to make a good living then. I think that I would have enjoyed living in the 1920's because of how calm everyone seemed to be. Younger women seemed to have more freedom and I know that I would have really enjoyed having that freedom in those times. I really like the topic of the Roaring Twenties because I hope that America can be like that again. Our economy is struggling right not, which is not much different than the Great Depression. I think that it would be fun to go back in time and compare the two different time periods in American history.
ReplyDeleteCamille, I agree that all of the topics we talked about could all easily fit in the category, "The Roaring Twenties." It is almost like a dream rather than a flashback that our nation was so prosperous, and without unemployment or debt. We also need to think of what was going on everywhere else in the world, not just America; World War I had just ended. While the Allies came out with a victory, it was only America that could go home and celebrate. Most of Europe had been destroyed form the brutality of war. Towns demolished, fathers, brothers, and husbands found dead on the battlefields, and many families struggled to survive. Americans appeared as rajahs as the rest of the world limped on.
DeleteCamille, I agree with your point about girls feeling like they were equal to men. I don't think that men agreed that women were equal, they still tried to be superior to them. With all of this hardship going on like people getting laid off and banks closing,men and women still made the most of it and went out and had fun every night.
DeleteThe Roaring Twenties were filled with many new ideas about society. Through my ongoing research I have learned about the prosperity and new inventions the twenties brought to the new era. The Roaring Twenties were known as a time of great joy and excitement. One of the major things I have learned through my research was that there were many parties and celebrations for many different reasons. These parties in the 1920’s were most recognizable because of the end of Prohibition. Prohibition was the ban the sell and consumption of alcohol. People’s high spirits and attitudes contributed to the mass amount of celebrations in the 1920’s. Alcohol could be found anywhere in mass amounts during these celebrations. Also women’s new attitudes made parties memorable as well. Women who expressed themselves freely were known as flappers. These flappers were known for their accessories and short, revealing outfits. Flappers expressed their sexual freedom during many celebrations and became popular (especially by men).
ReplyDeleteThe 1920’s was also a period of new ideas and inventions. One of the needs to own items of this time was invented by Henry Ford. Ford created and sold many of his automobiles. One of Ford’s first automobiles was the model T. Everyone in the twenties had to own at least one of Ford’s automobiles. Other new technologies were introduced in the 1920’s. These new inventions included the refrigerator, radio, and movie(s)/movie theatre. Many people in the 1920’s were blinded by their wants and desires. During this time period credit was introduced. Many consumers used credit to purchase anything and everything they wanted. However consumers did not completely understand the idea behind credit. Following the 1920’s the Great Depression came about. The Great Depression came about because of the stock market crash. Many people lost most of their money, jobs, and homes. Personal debt was realized. Following the upbeat attitudes of the 1920’s came the sad and depressing years to come.
The information I have gathered helped me further my understanding of the setting of the novel The Great Gatsby. In this novel Gatsby holds many parties. These parties reflect the types of parties held during the 1920’s. Gatsby’s parties were filled with high spirited people, sexually free attitudes of women, and alcohol. Also Gatsby’s parties were filled with upbeat music which symbolizes the Jazz Age. Gatsby not only has one party, but many! Also the Great Gatsby uses Henry Ford’s invention of the automobile throughout the novel.
I believe living in the 1920’s would have been great! It seems that in my life all I do is stress out! There is no time to relax and enjoy the simple pleasures of life during the school year. I would love to feel the excitement and joy people of the 1920’s felt. My life seems to revolve around school and other people’s schedules, but when summer hits I feel relief. I love spending time with my family. Summer is my Roaring Twenties. I am able to step back and appreciate the sun, the flowers, and society. During the summer I am able to do the two things that make me happy. The first one is to go on vacation with my family. I love to get away from St. Marys. I am able to relax and have a good time with the people I love. The second thing that makes me ecstatic is tennis. Tennis is more than a sport to me, it is my passion. Any time I play tennis, I experience an overwhelming feeling of happiness. When I play tennis my heart is pumping and is full of excitement and joy. Tennis is my vice. Any time I am upset or stressed out in the summer, all I have to do to get into a better mood is pick up my racquet and hopper full of tennis balls and go to the park. Tennis is the one thing that makes me happy no matter what. Tennis is my favorite sport and I hope to play this sport for the rest of my life.
Marla, after reading The Great Gatsby and also performing additional research, I agree with you, many people of the 1920s were "blinded by their wants and desires." This was a major theme, not only in the novel, but in life as well. I agree that all of the inventions coming about at that time contributed to greed of the time. People were always buying, especially when buying-on-credit came about. People wanted what others had and what would come next. This idea later came to be known as "Keeping up with the Joane's." That greed came to our downfall of the Great Depression. With even more new inventions and technologies, it may appear worse than ever. Today we have unemployment and a national debt that constantly keeps sky-rocketing.
DeleteMarla, I also agree with people being blinded by what they want. THis was also shown when the prohibition era took place. People were so addicted to the wants and needs of alcohol that they would be willing to break the law to get it. This was also a part of The Great Gatsby becasue Jay was a bootlegger during that time period, which is how he became so wealthy. Therefore, this was a good blog you wrote.
DeleteThe Roaring Twenties were a prosperous time in our nation; the War had just ended and we had a booming economy. To the war-torn countries we left in Europe, it almost seemed selfish how we had became the leading nation in the world after basically destroying most of Europe, leaving them with demolished towns and an economy in turmoil. Cleaning up after the War was not fun as America simply went back to their own part of the world to party. The 1920’s appeared a time in our nation’s history filled with jazz, dancing, commercial products, and beautiful women called flappers. Behind all of this, however, there was hate, greed, and inequality, and that was the theme behind the Great Gatsby.
ReplyDeleteOne of the major themes remembered of the 1920’s were flappers. These flappers were women who wore what in that day was consider “skimpy” clothing, cut their hair short, and even smoked. These women were more sexually free compared to their European counterparts, who were still living in the Victorian Era. As some men still do today, these women were merely objects, and these women made these changes to prove they can be equal to men. Even though this change made them more appealing to men, they wanted to prove they could do anything that they set their minds to. Unlike what some people today may think, not very many women were flappers in the 1920’s, but many women took on the fashion and realized the statement behind all of the makeup; flappers were some of the first feminists in America.
Though many may either not think this as symbolism or just simply never noticed, flappers of the 1920’s were the start of a movement. The young women that were called flappers were the start of the feminist movement. Women back in the 1920’s still were not considered equal to men, and we see that in The Great Gatsby. Daisy, Myrtle, and Jordan are all three different types of women from the 1920’s. Myrtle was wreck less, and showed no respect to herself or others, even her husband. She did, however, show the spirit of a flapper. She was independent and did what she wanted. Jordan also had a piece of that spirit, being a woman athlete in a man’s world; her success showed the equality of women, but when she supposedly cheated, she trashed that name and also began losing. Daisy tried to hide it, but she knew that women deserved equality. She also was wreck less, but still hid behind her husband. We especially see her negligence when Daisy said (about her daughter) “I hope she’ll be a fool-that’s the best thing a girl can be in this world, a beautiful little fool.” Feminism movement that began in the 1920’s did succeed. The 19th Amendment gave women the right to vote, birth control became more available, and women were able to hold white collar jobs.
I actually forgot that America left Europe to repair the ravaged lands that were a result of the wars. That was a really greedy move on America's part considering that there was no fighting on American land. I personally would have included lies into the list of themes, really everyone in the story lies. Flappers tried to make their point in that they can be equal to men, but they also were revolting against the old morals that had been set for years. For characters in The Great Gatsby, I only thought of Jordan as a flapper. Your reasons for Myrtle and Daisy being flappers has showed me that they really are as well. Although i think Daisy is less reckless and more bad at making long-term decisions.
DeleteMaria, I thought that being a flapper would be so cool. I would love dancing during the prohibition era. Prohibition was also a major part of the 1920s because it started the secret bars where people could buy alcohol. I would really like to go back in time to the 1920s to see how people delt with this situation, and all of the other amazing things that took place during this time period. As a result, great job on your blog.
DeleteThe main idea that I learned about was the Roaring Twenties. I always knew that they were called this for the economic and personal changes that happened throughout the United States, but I never realized just how much change happened during this time period. The sheer amount of change that happened is crazy, and it angered many of the older people of the era. The part that was especially angering to the elders was the music and young women. The new music was Jazz, and this came with new dances and other things that made more traditional people unhappy. The young girls who got the name "flappers" were also part of this change. They did more in the way of partying and new dances, along with new styles of dressing that also made more traditional people angry. During this time period, more emphasis was put on "things" and money, then ever before. This is what links this time period to The Great Gatsby. Nearly everyone in The Great Gatsby has these thoughts about money and material things, that were prevalent in the Roaring Twenties. Gatsby had the idea to seem impressive, and he went after "things" to appear this way. Daisy grew up into this style of living, and it made her spoiled, changing the way she thinks and acts. Tom is affected by this because he got the attitude that everyone is below him. This affects the way he thinks, and the way he reacts when faced with people who he feels threatens him.
ReplyDeleteIf I lived in this time period, I probably would live the same that I do now, happy. The way everyone acted then, with material above many other things, is much the same as many people live now. I would go on living my life the way I do now, as best I can. The outside world does not have to affect out lives like it did to the characters in The Great Gatsby.
The 1920's was a decade of long lasting reformations in America. The changes were seen as revolutionary by the younger generation but seen as blasphemy by everyone older. You did not mention why Jazz was seen so poorly by the older people. It was because the music originated from African Americans. The economic evolution in America led to the emphasis on owning the latest technology. I agree with how you related the topic of The Roaring 20s to The Great Gatsby. The actual wealth that really everyone in the novel had is what led to how most of them acted. Most of them were different in the matter of how they behaved.I will go and say I would not have enjoyed myself in the 1920's, mostly due to it being almost a century in the past.
DeleteJess, I thought the same thing that you did at the beginning of your blog. The amount of change that actually happened in this time was really unique. Just like many of the other blogs, you thought the same ideas that I did. What I am trying to figure out is the flappers. How could all of a sudden women change in a way that was criticized by American society? This is something that I would like to know. They changed so much that it angered many elderly people, because they were born in a completely different era. Good job with your blog.
DeleteThe 1920s is a time period that has many names in American history. This decade is called the Roaring 20s, the Jazz Age, or even the Golden Age. These names arise form the fact that the 1920s is among the highest times in America. America had just returned victorious in World War I, which was a war that we really did not need to join in. More than the victory, America was becoming economically superior. Numerous people were becoming wealthy very quickly. Most of these people really did not earn the money as much as they followed the crowd and invested in the stock market. The stock market's sudden increase in attention benefited everyone. Banks were gaining from loans taken to invest in the stock market, and many businesses grew also. As a result of the wealth, everyone began to splurge on luxuries that might not have been purchased previously. Many new technologies that are now seen as standard, such as refrigerators, radios, and cars, started to become popular. There was also a share of failed reforms during this time period. Prohibition was an attempted change that failed. More problems than good rose from banning alcohol. Prohibition did not last very long before it was revoked. The way life was being lived was changing.
ReplyDeleteThe Great Gatsby fits the scene of The Roaring 20s very well. Almost every character in the story was wealthy, even the unnamed extra characters. For the most part, everyone's financial benefits were not earned. The money was inherited or earned in other ways. The 1920's were known for being a time of partying and not caring about reality. Gatsby showed this with his parties. He did not have an exclusive list of people that could come, anyone could enjoy them self. Everyone that did come was at a fantastic party and everyone probably had too much fun. I never really noticed the connection that existed between The Great Gatsby and The Roaring 20s until we did the research. This was simply because the entirety of The Roaring Twenties slipped my mind. Doing research on the subject reminded me of it, and I kinda felt like an idiot for not realizing it earlier.
In all honesty, I would not enjoy myself in the 1920s, despite this being the era of happiness in America. My main reasoning is that there is a 90 year difference between then and now. The actual people that invented many of the things we have today did not even exist yet. Everything that we can take for granted today, be it music, phones, or the TV that I have had paused for three hours, could not be done then. Ultimately, the 1920s is a time period that does not really interest me, the distant past never really does for me.
Tyler, I didn't make the connection that you did about the wealth. Most people during the 1920's we're very wealthy, as we're the characters in the Great Gatsby. Wealth was so big during both the story and the era. All people wanted was wealth and to look wealthy. Some of us felt like Daisy only liked Gatsby for his wealth, and also some of us thought that Daisy only married Tom for wealth.
DeleteTyler, I did not know that this age in time had so many names. I knew that people in this time quickly became wealthy, but I did not know how. Your explanation of this was very clear and precise. The ways that you related this age of time to "The Great Gatsby" were similar to mine. Most people in the story were wealthy, and everyone loved to party and drink. What I also thought was interesting in your blog was that you mentioned prohibition. Alcohol was illegal at the time that the story took place. This makes me think that all the parties were illegal and Gatsby could have been arrested. Good job on your blog.
DeleteThe Roaring 20's was in the 1920's. I didn't know much about the 20's to begin with. I had a general idea but not a lot of detailed information. The Roaring 20's was filled with music and movies were very popular. Girls really looked at themselves as equal to men. Before this women weren't really created equal to men. Women took in a new kind of style during the Roaring 20's, a more revealing style. Women would go out almost every night with men or just other women and dance all night long. Movies were very popular during the Roaring 20's also, thousand of people would go a week. during the Great Gatsby, there were a lot of problems with women being committed to men. This makes more sense to me now though once I researched more about the Roaring 20'a. Women went a little crazy and wanted to prove a point that they were equal to men. They wanted to show everyone that. All of the problems with cheating we're not very common during this era, but I think that that might have been the start of when it started to become okay. That's why the women and the men felt that it was okay to have affairs, because the world was becoming more laid back and everyone wasn't so judgmental. Women were crazy and liked to have a lot of fun. I think that I would have especially enjoyed life in this era. I wouldn't say that i am a very boring person, I like to go out and have fun. I like going to the movies also and listening to music. I think that I really would have fit into this era very well if it involved a lot of music and dancing.
ReplyDeleteLeah, I agree with you that this was a pivotal part in history for women. Finally we were starting to be treated equal to men. I don't really think that the women went crazy. I think that they just wanted to make themselves known. They wanted to prove to everyone that women are independent and can stand out just as well as the men. The times started to change just as they do every decade. I think that this change was something that was good. Women liked to have fun but at the same time were treated a lot more equal to the men. In The Great Gatsby there were many affairs. I think this is because people of the time started to become more careless than what they previously were and they didn't really know how to handle this careless time. I think everyone got slightly out of control when it came to their marriages because they didn't really know any different.
DeleteLeah the 1920’s was a time period of change. Women’s role in society was transforming. Many women were becoming more open to sexual freedom. Many women known as flappers, wore revealing outfits, and began to smoke and drink alcohol. The occurrences of the twenties appeared in the novel Great Gatsby. Leah I wish you would have compared the information in your blog to Daisy and Myrtle. They both cheated on their spouse and did not think or care much about it. The information in your blog was very informative about women in the 1920’s. Also I agree with you that you would fit into that era! You have an outgoing personality.
DeleteThe Roaring Twenties was a time when American society changed dramatically. This era began immediately after World War I, so you would think the United States would be going through a time of depression. What happened was exactly the opposite. Everything seemed to change. Some people were angered by this era, and some people participated in it. The people that disregarded this time were mainly the elderly people living at this time. They grew up in a society that was very modest. During the 1920s, it seemed as though “immodest” was the fashion style. This related especially to women.
ReplyDeleteDuring the Roaring Twenties, many different cultural changes took place. One of them was music. A new style of music called jazz was quickly overtaking society. That’s all that people wanted to listen to. What makes this unique is that the people that invented this style of music were mainly of African American descent. Even white folks were enjoying this music. This is something that we do not see very often. Musicians like Louis Armstrong were quickly overtaking society. Another cultural change that overtook society was how people lived. They were able to become wealthy because that amount of jobs during this time was very large. Parents were able to support for their family to survive. Advertisements were also used extensively. This was when advertisements really started to be made known throughout the world. There were advertisements for literally everything. Women perhaps had the most significant change in society. They seemed to dramatically transform into many different things. They would do many immodest things like smoke, drink, and party all night. This was unheard of from women during any time period. Some women were even used as objects in magazines doing immoral acts. These women were called flappers.
I believe that “The Great Gatsby” can relate to this time period. Mostly all the characters, excluding Nick, had tremendous amounts of money. They seemed to rely on money for everything and were very careless and self-centered. This was how people lived during the 1920s. I also believe that Jordan and Daisy could be flappers, but not to an extreme extent. They were described early in the story as beautiful and when Nick walked into Tom’s house he was astonished by the beauty that the two women displayed. They also had a lot of money, and loved to go to parties. If I have lived during this time I would probably enjoy it because there would always be something to do.
Andy, your information/background of the type of music played in the 20’s is very interesting. Jazz music was very upbeat and was great for dancing at parties. The information you provided about the origin of the music and musicians is very detailed and informative. Also your view on the fashion style of the time relates mainly to women. (Aka flappers) Sexual freedom became a new occurring theme of society. This can be related to the affairs of Daisy and Myrtle in the novel The Great Gatsby. Also I have to comment on what the first thing I thought of when I read your opinion of living in the 1920’s. The phrase I thought of was “There is always something happening at the DuBois mall.” (Ha-ha.) Great job!
DeleteAndy, you're right, American society did change dramatically in the Roaring Twenties era. I think that the people of the 1920's thought the style of dress was immodest only because they weren't used to this before. If you look at today's society it is much worse than in the 1920's, and in that era people made a bigger deal over it. Today the attitude and style of dressing and acting is way worse than it once was, yet people are accepting of it. Every decade after the 1920's the hemlines seemed to get shorter and shorter. Some people blame the 1920's for this problem because this is when the problem started. The Jazz music was another reason why the clothing style and women changed. Women started to wear more loose fitting shorter clothing because this style was easier to dance in. The dancing got faster because of the Jazz music which led to different behaviors and dress styles of women. I think that they started to act immodest because they wanted to become equal to men. This is why they started cheating, smoking, drinking, lying, and heavily partying. The 1920's was a time period that forever changed the future of women, music, dress style, and behavior.
DeleteThe Jazz Age was the start of a new era in the United States. It brought up new dances and new interest in music. It helped start real parties with real music. I play the piano, but the main instruments that were a part of this genre were saxophones and trumpets, which are very loud in sound and tone. As a result, The Great Gatsby was a part of the Jazz Age, but took place in New York.
ReplyDeleteI am very interested in the Jazz Age in the roaring 20s. I am very into music, and the past genres of music are very interesting because the music in the twentieth century is a combination of jazz that was started in the 1920s. In The Great Gatsby, they didn’t talk much about the Jazz Age in their time, but I know that many parties in the 1920s had music played at them. Many of them were of jazz musicians. If I lived in that day in age, I would love to be able to dance to the original music during the Jazz Age. I didn’t know that many people that came up with this style of music were African Americans, and during those times the blacks were discriminated against and were only starting to gain their rights. The Jazz Age started the meaning of partying in New Orleans; it then eventually made its way up to New York, where Gatsby lived in the book. In conclusion, if I lived in this period of time, I would have loved it. I love music; therefore a new genre would have been an awesome thing to experience. I would have also loved to attend the parties that this music was played at.
Emma, like you, I love music too. I think that living during the Jazz Age would have been fun. I don't think it would have been so unlike we live today, because of how women were expressing themselves during that time period. I wish The Great Gatsby had included more things about the Jazz Age because it was such a significant part of our cultural history.
DeleteEmma, I think that you did a good job of explaining how the much the Jazz Age had really affected the 1920's. I also hadn't realized that most of the jazz musicians were African American and I think that started to help them feel more welcome in socitey. I love listening to music and dancing also and think that it would have fun to go and listen to the different styles of jazz music in the clubs. I also liked the what you said about how far the music has traveled. Jazz musicians started to move north and I think that took a great deal of bravery because of the color of the skin for some of the musicians. Great job on getting the important aspects out of the topic.
DeleteThe 1920’s was a time period that always was interesting to me. I always admired the style of dress of women of the time. They stood out compared to the ideals of the time. This was especially inspiring to me. The women called flappers were those women who held ideals almost similar to men and were unique. They started drinking, smoking, partying, dressing, and dancing in a way that people have never seen before. Women were starting to move away from society’s image of the “perfect woman.” Woman started to become equal to men. They started forming their own ideas and values instead of they previously thought they had to be. Women were becoming their own person. I think that without this time frame society wouldn’t have been shaped the way it has been. There are so many powerful inspiring women out there who have done wonderful things in their lives. Without the women, or flappers, of the 1920’s this may have never been possible for women.
ReplyDeleteJazz music became extremely popular in the 1920’s. It was a fast upbeat form of music that called for fast paced dancing. Women responded to this by removing their corsets and creating shorter hemlines. This allowed the women to move in a swifter manner. Women started dancing more and more whether it was with men or other women. Women also cut their hair short. They went through a phase most people called the little boy phase. Women cut their hair to a length that made them look boyish. They also took bandages and tightly wrapped them around their chest to flatten them. This allowed them to be allowed to remove their corsets and made dancing much easier than what it was. This paved the way for later styles of dress and attitude. Without the women of the 1920’s society wouldn’t be as successful or great as it is today.
Rachel, I agree with you that the flappers were a very interesting part of the 1920's. We have to admire them for their bravery. Women were supposed to speak when spoken to and obey their husbands. These young women, although in some of the wrong ways, stood up for what they believed in. They didn't believe in their parents' ideals, which was a really brave thing to do. We all know how hard it is to feel that your parents are disappointed in you.
DeleteRachel, I agree with your blog 100%. I think that the 1920's was a time when women really found themselves and helped to shape how women act now a days. I think that women got the independence that they wanted and you did a really good job of explaining that. I like the way you said that the women had a "little boy phase". I thought that was a good way of explaining what women were going through. The way their hair was cut was a little more boyish, but overall they acted more of how women are today. I also really liked how you talked about the way the women dressed. You mentioned that they were able to dance much easier because of the shorter skirts. I had never thought of it that way but really enjoyed reading you blog.
DeleteThe 1920’s seems to be one of the best time periods during American history. So many chances happened during this time period. America’s economy was booming at the time. It was one of the most stable times the Americans have ever been in. People during this time had also changed. Woman especially had the most change. Woman before this time period were very conservatives. The clothing the woman used to wear was very covering and long. Also going out and having fun was something that woman did not do. This all changed when the Flappers came around. Flappers were a group of woman that changed how woman presented themselves. They wore sleeve less shirts and skirts and dresses up to their knees. I know that this may not seem that bad, but for back then it was unheard of. Also flappers loved the party scene. They would always go out to the clubs at night. Some of the flappers even went out without a man with her. That was something very unheard of. Also these women engaged in activates such as smoking and drinking. Another thing that woman had never really done before.
ReplyDeleteI think that these women shaped how woman act today. These women really gave us the independent and individuality that we were lacking before the 1920’s. I know that some woman today don’t always dress very appropriately but what these woman did was something out of the ordinary. I find that something very good that they did something different.
I think that these women did play a role in The Great Gatsby. In the book Gatsby threw a lot of parties. Also parties were very common in the theme of the book. The women in the book were also fit these roles in certain ways. Jordan Baker was on the regular party goers. She never really had a man with her when she went to these parties. Also she was a professional golfer. Sports were something that many women did not participate in during the 1920’s. Also Daisy had flapper qualities about her. During the book she and Gatsby were together even though daisy was already married to Tom. Back in the 1920’s is when people started to get divorced and have affairs. This was something that to this day still happens. These are some of the ways that the flappers life have influenced the book The Great Gatsby.
I think I would have loved to live in the 1920’s. Everything seemed to be so much fun. I also feel like if I were to live in the 1920’s I would have been one of the women that feel in to the flapper category. I think that what those women did was something that helped woman of many generations. I would have enjoyed living during the period of the 1920’s.
Hayley, if I were to live in the 1920's, I would have been a part of the flapper category as well. I love how these women were not afraid to try new things and to go up against the way that society saw them and how "proper" women should act. These women were not afraid to party and to wear short skirts and do simple things like dance. It was a time whenever women were really starting to gain their independence and it shaped a great deal of the way that society acts and appears today. The new music that came about and the feelings that the women who were in a way rebelling had to have felt would have been amazing. I would have loved to be a part of that.
DeleteI agree with you here. The 1920's were the most interesting one for me too. A big change that happened in the 1920's was the way women acted. This was a huge growth in how women acted. They got more freedom and expanded beyond what many people thought was possible. The flappers were a perfect example of this. They expanded their freedoms a ton. Also, a huge break away from tradition occurred. This was a characteristic of the 19020's and is one of the things that made this time period so different.
DeleteThe 1920's seemed like a time of rebellion from the old ways of life. The Roaring Twenties were times of financial benefits and the spending of money without worrying about debt or many other problems. With the end of World War I, America felt like they were on top of the world and could not be stopped by any single problem. The riches that came about are comparable to the people living in both East and West Egg in the Great Gatsby. These people felt like they could buy anything and were always in little types of contests to try to outdo each other with purchases, what they do with their houses, or any activities that they personally hold. However, many of these people became so self consumed and self centered that they did not focus on necessities or other important aspects of life. Appearance became the most important quality in the minds of the people of the twenties while morals seemed to be thrown out the window. Women were changing the ways of behavior by cutting their hair short and dressing in more provocative ways. The main focus for the women was to try not to meet the standards that men had previously set for them and start to create their own rules. These "flappers" became prominent partygoers and they would often go around town during the night to experience more of the nightlife adventures. The women were not following with the nitty gritty lifestyles that were set before their time. More rebellions came with the prohibition and the illegal selling of alcohol. The people of the twenties felt like they were invincible and could do whatever they wanted to do, mainly because they thought that they had the money to cover any problems that may occur during their activities. People would throw parties for attention and for the rights to say that they had money and could spend it as freely as they wanted. Gatsby would throw his own parties for attention, mainly the attention of Daisy. I never really considered everything that these people didn't have compared to today. Even though they were rich, many of the inventions that have been forgotten by today were only being introduced at this time, like the radio and magazines. On the radio is where we get to hear much of the jazz music that was becoming popular during that time period, and probably played much at one of Gatsby's parties. The people found their own ways to have a good time, which is what the characters in the Great Gatsby did with their trips into the city, spending time at parties, or just getting together with friends. I personally think that if I would have been born during this time period, I would have also been a large consumer who would be very materialistic. When I think about how much I have today and how much less they had back then, I think that I would want to replace everything I had today with more of what was popular way back when. However, I also find the carefree fascinating along with very dangerous. I think not worrying about everything that is going on will soothe a person and be good from time to time
ReplyDeleteCarli, I think your blog was very well written. You talked about each part that was asked for. I agree with what you said about how people during the 1920’s were always trying to outdo each other. Everyone was always trying to show off. Money was such a big deal back then. I think that this is also how it is today. People are always trying to outdo each other on with no matter what, from money, clothes, cars, houses. I also mentioned in my blog how the flappers were something that was very different from what society was used to. I also never even though of how you said that most of the inventions that we have today were just coming out back in those days. I think you made some very good points in your blog.
DeleteThe 19020's were a rebellion. The younger generation was breaking away from the older, and this caused many different reactions from different people. You described all of those people well in your blog. It is true that appearance became one of the most important parts of society. Everyone got into the "one up" attitude that was also prevalent in The Great Gatsby. Also, the invincible feeling that you described fits well with Tom, and goes further to show how this time period is related to The Great Gatsby.
DeleteNice job with the blog!
Carli, I totally agree with every part of your blog. The 1920's were a time of incredible wealth for many different people and the people who held that wealth were actually extremely shallow. They did not really care about other people's feelings as long as they were happy themselves. Everyone wanted to beat the other one with new items or music or bigger parties or better husbands. Everyone basically lied to each other and cheated on one another because they wanted what was best for them and they did not care how it made other people thought.
DeleteBefore the 1920's, many women did not really have their own personalities. Women always went wherever their husband or significant other went and they never really spoke or participated in anything. This was, of course, before the new ideals of women, women who later became known of as flappers, made an appearance.
ReplyDeleteWhat I think was most brave about these women was that they decided to go against everything that society wanted. No one had ever dared to step a foot out of line before if they were a woman, and these ladies decided that they were going to change completely. They wore super short dresses for their time period whenever everyone was used to ankle length, and their long, long hair became sheared into a kind of bob. Other than appearances, these women also decided to experiment with everything. They began to smoke and to drink, they danced a little more and they didn't see the need to stay with one man for the rest of their lives.
The flappers of the 1920's shaped a large part of what our society is today. Women today are able to express themselves freely and without having to worry about anything that anyone might say to them unlike many of the women back then. They dress in short clothing and many of them still drink and smoke.
It was easy to see and to make the connection of the flappers to the people in the book. Women like the flappers were the type of women who liked to go out during the night and who enjoyed making appearances at parties. Flappers can be compared to the women who made appearances at Gatsby's parties whenever he threw them. Modest women would not have gone to those parties. Also, basically any girl character in the book that we had met is able to be compared to the flappers. Daisy, Myrtle and Jordan all were with more than one man. Daisy had been married to Tom, but she had secretly been with Gatsby as well. Myrtle was seeing Tom while she was married to George and Jordan had been with Nick, but only a few short months later she was already engaged to another man.
If I were to live in the 1920's, I feel that I would have loved it. It was an era of much happiness and new experiments. People were changing despite societies standards and I would have played a major part in that.
I really enjoyed reading your blog, Morgan. It was exactly as I was remembering everything to be and you said it perfectly. I agree with the fact that women never stepped out of line, but flappers dared otherwise and made old-fashioned women furious. This was a time that allowed women to come into their own and find what they truly enjoy, rather than following their husbands around.
DeleteMorgan, I love how you started off with your blog and explaining the true nature of the flappers and how they used to be treated. I think you explained much of their physical appearances very well and how everything had changed in such a short period of time. The behaviors that you talked about are so comparable to the behaviors of women today. Before, women would not partake in parties or anything that their man did not want them to do. Today, women are so independent and self reliant that they feel they can accomplish anything by themselves, which they pretty much can do! I think you were spot on and introduced new ways to think about flappers with the characters in the book. These women were a little more loose and not set as much in their morals. And i also think that you would fit in with this time period. I can imagine you changing the standards of the world.
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ReplyDeleteThe Roaring Twenties, also known as the Jazz Age, was a time when women began to express themselves and men emerged as gangsters. Women had always followed their husbands, to events and such, and were in charge of any household duties. They had held jobs such as secretaries or finally department store floor workers. Men had always held a higher role in society than women, and at times took advantage of this. Prohibition was a time when the manufacturing, sale, and consumption of alcohol were illegal. This created many secret and illegal breweries, as well as sales. Gangsters arose and their main duty was to murder their way to the top. Many gangs sold alcohol illegally for tremendous profit, and used acute violence to stake turf and protect their interest. Often, police officers and politicians were paid off or extorted to ensure continued operation. Gangs may have been against immigration, or a gang may have been a group that had just come from Ireland, Germany, and so forth. Gangsters, also known as mobsters, would become so rich from the illegal sale of alcohol and violence that they were very prominent in this era. Money was key to a happy life in the twenties. The rich were able to do things that the poor or middle-class could not. Parties were held by rich people with alcohol, earning them a high status among their peers. Prosperity became common during this time because of the way stocks had been booming and businesses were finding their place and earning great money. Consumers were buying up any items, in hope of owning the new “it” item. The car was known as a luxury back in the day, but quickly became a necessity shortly after Henry Ford emerged with the Model T. Televisions became popular, after talkies became a regular occurrence. It was very uncommon to not see a family surrounded by the television in the evening. To say the Roaring Twenties would have been a good time period to live in is a common statement. This era was full of wealth, prosperity, and happiness. Luxury items allowed families to feel “fit in” and women were finding their place in the world.
ReplyDeleteNicole, I like how you brought up the gangsters and how they made their way to the top. When people thing of the roaring 20's, they mainly only see the good things. However, many bad things occurred too. Such as the illegal sale of alcohol. Many people were just trying to fit in during this time period and kept buying more and more products to keep up with the upper class.
DeleteNicole, prohibition made organized crime more and more popular due to the large amounts of money that could be made from this industry. Much of the wealth that appeared during this time came from illegal activities. This made these gangsters all the more dangerous, due to the fact that almost all of them were extremely wealthy. They could cover up any crime, and they got away with very nearly everything they did by bribing police officials. They did I, however, lead very luxurious lives.
DeleteNicole, I have never even considered the thoughts about all of the gangsters and the gangs taht were present during this time period. I always imagine that people were all nice to each other and everyone got along and everything was out in the open. In reality, there was much hidden occurences that happened all over the cities. I like how you uncovered what was popular during this time period and what was rising in popularity. I personally liked how you classified some of the items as "it" items. The consumers went crazy for all of their new products that were being introduced throughout the decade. Many of the items that we have now were only being introduced during this time. The only problem that I noticed is that there should be a couple more comparisons with the Great Gatsby. But you used great research and facts!
ReplyDeleteOut of all the topics we researched, I think that the Great Depression spoke to me the most. Sure the Roaring Twenties were a great time in history, but the Great Depression showed that all great things must come to an end. Thinking back to The Grapes of Wrath, although I wish to forget it, I think that the struggle of the Joads was more of an American story than The Great Gatsby. Don’t get me wrong, I adored The Great Gatsby!
ReplyDeleteIn the Great Gatsby we see the slow beginnings of the Great Depression reflected in the valley of Ashes. In the Roaring Twenties I discovered that the separation between the rich and the poor was an ocean across. There wasn’t much of a middle ground. We didn’t hear much about the struggles of the people of the Valley of Ashes. However, we did witness the unraveling of George Wilson. The Great Depression mentality, that many people experienced, was definitely noticeable in George. He was a hard working man who was unable to support the woman he loved in the way she wished. We saw him at his most desperate points when he was practically begging Tom to sell him his car.
In the Great Depression we witnessed the strength of America. The never say die attitude that we’ve become known for seems to have been born in this time. Perhaps it was because of the empowered women of the flapper age. Maybe it was the rebellious teenagers who listened to jazz music. It could have even been the bootleggers who broke the law to enjoy themselves. Whatever, or whoever, it was the Great Depression is a illustration that even the darkest days can be turned around.
As for if I would have been happy in the twenties, I would like to believe I would have been. I mean, women were rebellious and free, what’s not to like about that? I doubt I would have been a flapper though. I don’t think I would have been cut out for that kind of disobedience. I look up to these women now in how they were able to show the world that they had a voice, but I know I wouldn’t have been one of them. I don’t believe I would have been happy in the life of Daisy or Jordan either. In the end I think I’m happy in what era I live in now, I couldn’t have lived in the 1920’s.
Maddie, I think that you had every good ideas about the blog this week. The Great Depression was a horrible time for the American People. George was an example of all the people struggling during this time. Many people during this time could not support the people they loved. Sometimes this even happens to people today. The economy is really bad and it makes it hard for people to be financial stable. I agree with the statement about being rebellious and free. I think that it would have been a great experience. I think your blog really explained about the Great Depression and how it related to The Great Gatsby.
DeleteMaddie, you made many points that I did not think of. The Great Depression does show that good things usually come to an end. In the book, most of the good things ended. Daisy and Gatsby's relationship ended, and eventually Gatsby's life was taken too. In the story we do see many of the depression's effects take hold. We also see the division in the classes. The story mainly only talks about the rich.
DeleteThe 1920's was a period of great change in America. It was a political and social change. The United States was becoming more prosperous and goods were being sold at an alarming rate. The flappers particularly interested me. Women did not have very many rights then, so just the fact that they were making a change was a different idea to people of that era. They started to stand up for their beliefs. They stepped outside the box and started doing their own thing. The older generation did not like the idea of them doing this. The young women would cut their hair into short bobs. They wore short skirts that revealed their legs. By night, flappers engaged in the active city nightlife. They frequented jazz clubs which was becoming very popular in the 1920's. Speakeasies were a common destination also. Alcohol was illegal during this time, but the women found enjoyment in going to these places and consuming it. Smoking, another activity previously reserved for men, became popular among flappers. The cosmetics industry grew as women used make-up daily. Flappers bound their chests and wore high heels. The older people did not like this. I just found the flappers inspirational because this was when women got many of their rights and stood up for what they wanted to do.
ReplyDeleteWhile flappers were inspirational in their attempts to receive rights for women, they were also a somewhat unneeded rebellious force in my opinion. They seemed to rebel simply for the point of rebelling against the past. While the Great War was very horrific, I do not believe it was a reason for such a drastic social change. However, they did make leaps and bounds for women's rights. History would not have been the same without them
DeleteFlappers were very interesting to me, mostly because while they were supposed to be about female empowerment, these girls became slaves to the needs of fashion and rebellion, much like Daisy. All she wanted was to be high in society and go against Tom because he was going against her. Flappers were women or girls that were trying to shock the world by cutting off their hair and dressing like boys by wearing pants and shorts that were though of before as improper. They were all about pushing as far as they could. Many we're arrested for indecent exposure while at swimming pools. They believed that because the previous generations had caused the Great War, the morals of previous generations should have held no power. Flappers behaved like they believed men did, smoking in public, going to parties where drinking took place,even though prohibition was still in effect, and engaging in premarital sex. The extreme flappers were called vamps because of their red lips.
ReplyDeleteI believe that if I lived in this time, I would have not have been a flapper. While I would have recognized that the older generation was not always right, they were better than the ideas of complete rebellion brought about by flappers.
In the Great Gatsby, no one was truly a flapper. However, Daisy and Jordan held the morals of flappers. Daisy had extramarital relations, which was very taboo for women, much more than for men. While an affair from Tom was almost to be expected in this time period, Daisy's would have come as a major surprise.