J A Z It’s positively sinful!
Storyville, New Orleans
The CITY became the place to be, and a CAR was the way to get there (People enjoyed the independence that was offered by the automobile, as opposed to taking the train). The country was young; median age was 25 years old.
“Men travel faster now, but I do not know if they go to better things” (Willa Cather).
1. Fundamentalists: interpreted the bible literally and had an intense fear of this “new morality.” were strong activists for prohibition. (Prohibition is a direct reaction to an OUTBURST of energy that came out of the war). 2. Fitzgerald (and other authors) had a mission to document the extreme changes that were taking place in American society.
Prohibition 18th amendment to the U.S. Constitution (1919). 1. Banned the manufacturing, sale, and transportation of alcohol, but NOT DRINKING IT. 2. Their goal was to reduce unemployment, domestic violence, & poverty. 3. Led to the “speakeasy” as a semi-public drinking place.
Illegal sales of alcohol fueled organized crime & corruption. Al Capone, and even President Harding’s attorney general made thousands of dollars “bootlegging”
The amendment was not repealed until 1933 -- as the Great Depression is in full swing. ***REMEMBER this while reading the novel -- ALL of the alcohol they drink has been illegally purchased.
The Dark Side of Fundamentalism The Klu Klux Klan rose to prominence in the 1920’s as it fought to maintain the dominance of moralistic white Protestants over "sinners“-- especially bootleggers, adulterers, Blacks, Catholics, and Jews .