The Great Gatsby, penned by F. Scott Fitzgerald and published in 1925, is an iconic piece of American literature that captivates readers with its portrayal of a glamorous and tumultuous era. Teaching about the novel’s background, encompassing the cultural, socioeconomic, and historical aspects of the 1920s, not only enhances students’ understanding of the story but also provides valuable insights into American society’s transformation.
The Jazz Age
The 1920s are often called the Jazz Age, a time when jazz music blossomed and became incredibly popular. Introduce your students to the genre by playing famous jazz songs from the era, such as Louis Armstrong’s “Carolina Shout” or Duke Ellington’s “East St. Louis Toodle-Oo.” Discuss how jazz emerged as a form of artistic expression and social commentary during this period. Tie it into the novel by explaining how jazz music often symbolizes glamour and excess, echoing the themes present in The Great Gatsby.
The Prohibition
Prohibition was a significant aspect of American society during this time; it refers to the nationwide ban on manufacturing and selling alcohol between 1920 and 1933. Explain to your students why Prohibition was implemented and discuss its consequences: organized crime’s rise, bootlegging, speakeasies, and overall public defiance against authority. Link these concepts to The Great Gatsby by exploring how Gatsby amassed his wealth (bootlegging), lavish parties with illegal liquor, and how characters exhibited recklessness in their behavior.
Women’s Suffrage Movement
The 1920s was also an exciting time for women’s rights as they continued to demand equal representation and opportunities throughout society. A crucial step forward occurred in 1920 with the ratification of the 19th Amendment, granting women the right to vote. Delve into the Women’s Suffrage Movement and analyze the role of women in The Great Gatsby as well. Consider characters like Daisy Buchanan and Jordan Baker, discussing how they are both empowered and confined by their social status in a male-dominated world.
The American Dream
The novel’s central theme, the American Dream, should be explored thoroughly with your students. Provide context on how the 1920s was a time of economic prosperity, with increased consumerism and a desire for wealth, leisure, and success. Discuss how this ambition led to disillusionment and moral decay as well. Teach your students to analyze Gatsby’s character as an embodiment of these ideas: his quest for wealth, social mobility, and ultimately his tragic pursuit of an ideal that crumbles under the harsh realities of life.
Historical Figures of the 1920s
Lastly, introduce your students to prominent historical figures from the era who influenced or represented key aspects of the novel or 1920s culture in general. Connect these figures to elements within The Great Gatsby – such as Al Capone (crime and bootlegging), Zelda Fitzgerald (Fitzgerald’s wife who inspired much of Daisy’s character), and President Warren G. Harding (known for corruption during his presidency).
