F. Scott Fitzgerald Sept. 24th, 1896-Dec. 21st, 1940 Wrote novels and short stories representative of the Jazz Age (1920s) Born to an upper middle class family, attended prestigious schools during his youth in Buffalo and Syracuse, NY. Fell in love with the fabulous Zelda Sayre, who refused to marry him unless he could financially support her Published This Side of Paradise in 1920, and married Zelda one month later. Moved to France in 1924 and published The Great Gatsby in 1925 Suffered bouts of depression, alcoholism, and writer’s block, and Zelda suffered from mental illnesses. Had frequent financial struggles due to medical bills and opulent lifestyle. Moved back to the U.S. in 1931 Wrote screenplays and short stories until his death of a heart attack in 1940 Most of his works never received much acclaim during his life Father was fired from Proctor & Gamble in 1908 and the family lived off of his mother’s inheritance Attended Princeton University, but eventually dropped out to join WWI, but was never deployed. Over time their money dwindled and they were considered lower middle class Similar to Jay Gatsby (but Gatsby was deployed) Zelda similar to Daisy Buchannon This Side of Paradise Him and Zelda had a very unconventional relationship; they were in love but their love was hard to remain at a constant because of the issues they both dealt with The Great Gatsby received low reviews which disheartened Fitzgerald; it wasn’t until after his death that it became a widely-acclaimed novel

The Jazz Age Prohibition was in effect Dances such as the Charleston were popular Popular sayings included 23 Skidoo, Bee’s Knees Economy was in a “Boom” The popularity of the new Jazz music of New Orleans and Chicago dances like the Charleston, combined with the relaxing moral code and the general feeling of optimism created the feeling of a never-ending social party. Prohibition banned only the manufacture, sale, and transport, not the possession or consumption of alcohol. This left many opportunities for abuse open. Large amounts of alcohol were smuggled in from Canada. Home brewing of beer and wine was popular during Prohibition.

The Flappers Flappers were women who rebelled against the fashion and social norms of the early 1900’s. They married at a later age and drank and smoked in public Flappers were known for their carefree lifestyles. Flappers dressed in shapeless dresses that came to the knee. Dresses were made to look “boy-like” Gender bending was common. Women would try to make themselves look more man-like.

The Great Gatsby: “Show me a hero and I will write you a tragedy.” Published in 1925 and takes place in the 1920’s Narrated by Nick Carraway, a middle class man telling the story of an excessively wealthy society on Long Island, NY, in 1922 Jay Gatsby is the title character, the wealthiest of the group, who has been desperately in love with Daisy Buchanan, Nick’s married cousin, since he was a young man prior to WWI The Great Gatsby is the story of Gatsby’s attempts to win Daisy Buchanan, and is a commentary about the excess and emptiness of the upper class of the 1920s, human nature’s ceaseless desire to return to the past, the concept of idealization, and the decline of the American dream.

Characters of The Great Gatsby Jay Gatsby- The self-made wealthy man who lives next door to Nick Carraway and loves Daisy Buchanan Nick Carraway- the narrator, Daisy’s cousin, Gatsby’s neighbor Daisy Buchanan- married to Tom, Gatsby’s love interest before the war, socialite Tom Buchanan- Daisy’s husband, has an affair with Myrtle Myrtle Wilson- Tom’s woman in the city, married to George George Wilson- owns the gas station Jordan Baker- Daisy’s friend, professional golfer

Old Money Vs. New Money New Money: Someone who has achieved the American Dream Not as respected in the 1920’s Old Money: Money from family wealth/inherited Born rich Not earned through work done by yourself Respected above all in the 1920’s

Settings… West Egg- where Nick and Gatsby live, represents new money East Egg- where Daisy lives, the more fashionable area, represents old money     

Settings in The Great Gatsby The City- New York City, where the characters escape to for work and play The Valley of Ashes- between the City and West Egg, where Wilson’s gas station is

Images… Kahn Estate This house was a source of inspiration for Gatsby's mansion; it is Oheka Castle, located in Long Island, 1915.

The Green Light at the end of Daisy’s dock Major Symbols… The Green Light at the end of Daisy’s dock The eyes of Dr. T.J. Ekleburg The Valley of Ashes Green Light- at the end of Daisy’s dock and visible from Gatsby’s mansion. Represents Gatsby's hopes and dreams about Daisy. The Valley of Ashes- the area between West Egg and New York City. It is a desolate area filled with industrial waste. It represents the social and moral decay of society during the 1920’s. It also shows the negative effects of greed. The Eyes of Dr. T. J. Ekleburg- A decaying billboard in the Valley of Ashes with eyes advertising an optometrist. There are multiple proposed meanings, including the representation of God’s moral judgment on society.

Major Concepts The emptiness of wealth/the upper class Excess and moral corruption The decline of the American Dream The desire to revisit the past Idealization and disappointment Striving for something out of your reach