“By Modernism I mean the positive rejection of the past and the blind belief in the process of change, in novelty for its own sake, in the idea that progress through time equates with cultural progress; in the cult of individuality, originality and self-expression”, a remark from Dan Cruickshank, which holds true in the novel The Great Gatsby. Modernism is “marked by a strong and intentional break with tradition,” by the consumption of alcohol, women dancing alone and listening to Jazz music. (Modernism) Secondly, by the use of a first person narrator, by the “belief that the world is what we say it is.” (Modernism) Lastly, “the modernist American literature produced during the time reflects such themes of destruction and chaos.” (Elements
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Firstly, the consumption of alcohol throughout the novel, which happens to be illegal. “ I was on my way to get roaring drunk...” (Fitzgerald, 42) a statement from the narrator, Nick. At almost every party, there was alcohol and lots of it. Even though it was illegal, almost everyone in the novel consumed it. Secondly, there was “ a great number of girls dancing individually…” (Fitzgerald, 46) Both of those things are major rejections of tradition, dancing and women dancing alone. Before Modernism, women were supposed to depend on man and follow their lead. In The Great Gatsby, a change in gender roles is seen. Women start to become more independent and do activities on their own. In addition to the first two examples, the performance of Jazz music at the parties. “By seven o’clock the orchestra has arrived, no thin five-piece affair, but a whole pitiful of oboes and trombones and saxophones and viols and cornets and piccolos, and low and high drums.” (Fitzgerald, 40) Jazz music was considered the devil 's music, but the younger generations broke that reputation and listened to it at parties. These example show that rejection of traditions were prevalent in The Great …show more content…
Everyone tried to achieve the “American Dream”, which meant having money, a spouse, children, and owning a car and house. As people tried to achieve this goal, they soon linked having money with being successful and happy. They looked at money as the one thing that lead to happiness. A first example of this is Myrtle having an affair with Tom. Myrtle is married to George, who is a mechanic that does not make much money. She thought having an affair with Tom, who happens to have a lot of money, would make her more happy and successful. That unfortunately did not happen. Tom is a very harsh man that likes to show off his power, which came with the money. Myrtle ended up with a broken nose from teasing Tom about Daisy and eventually died from Daisy unintentionally running her over while Myrtle chased the car. Additionally, is how most lead meaningless lives. Daisy says “What’ll we do with ourselves this afternoon?” (Fitzgerald, 125) Daisy had a tremendous amount of money, but never knew what to do with it all. She, along with almost everyone who had that kind of money, lived day to day, no ambition or real goals. Since society said money equaled success, she and everyone else did not have to do anything beyond just having money because they were already at the top of the pyramid. Lastly, how Jay Gatsby devoted his life to
Firstly, the consumption of alcohol throughout the novel, which happens to be illegal. “ I was on my way to get roaring drunk...” (Fitzgerald, 42) a statement from the narrator, Nick. At almost every party, there was alcohol and lots of it. Even though it was illegal, almost everyone in the novel consumed it. Secondly, there was “ a great number of girls dancing individually…” (Fitzgerald, 46) Both of those things are major rejections of tradition, dancing and women dancing alone. Before Modernism, women were supposed to depend on man and follow their lead. In The Great Gatsby, a change in gender roles is seen. Women start to become more independent and do activities on their own. In addition to the first two examples, the performance of Jazz music at the parties. “By seven o’clock the orchestra has arrived, no thin five-piece affair, but a whole pitiful of oboes and trombones and saxophones and viols and cornets and piccolos, and low and high drums.” (Fitzgerald, 40) Jazz music was considered the devil 's music, but the younger generations broke that reputation and listened to it at parties. These example show that rejection of traditions were prevalent in The Great …show more content…
Everyone tried to achieve the “American Dream”, which meant having money, a spouse, children, and owning a car and house. As people tried to achieve this goal, they soon linked having money with being successful and happy. They looked at money as the one thing that lead to happiness. A first example of this is Myrtle having an affair with Tom. Myrtle is married to George, who is a mechanic that does not make much money. She thought having an affair with Tom, who happens to have a lot of money, would make her more happy and successful. That unfortunately did not happen. Tom is a very harsh man that likes to show off his power, which came with the money. Myrtle ended up with a broken nose from teasing Tom about Daisy and eventually died from Daisy unintentionally running her over while Myrtle chased the car. Additionally, is how most lead meaningless lives. Daisy says “What’ll we do with ourselves this afternoon?” (Fitzgerald, 125) Daisy had a tremendous amount of money, but never knew what to do with it all. She, along with almost everyone who had that kind of money, lived day to day, no ambition or real goals. Since society said money equaled success, she and everyone else did not have to do anything beyond just having money because they were already at the top of the pyramid. Lastly, how Jay Gatsby devoted his life to