The assembly line made the production of automobiles much more efficient, which lowered the price of each vehicle. This led to the increasing ability of consumers to purchase an automobile because they were affordable for everyone, thus fueling independence. This independence branched down into the women and youth of the 1920’s and indirectly fueled the rebellious nature of their actions. With the new independence gained by women and youth, attendance and popularity of parties increased during this time. An example used by Fitzgerald is the lavish affairs thrown by Jay Gatsby. All the guests at Jay’s parties drove an automobile. Automobiles allowed socialization and intermingling of social classes during this time period, and ultimately influenced the changes of society throughout a decade. These rebellious actions and behaviors such as wild parties, were once not accepted throughout …show more content…
Scott Fitzgerald utilized The Great Gatsby to critique life in various areas. One of the various areas was the role of money and materialism in society. During the 1920’s, many people came into wealth. Jay Gatsby, as used by Fitzgerald in his novel, is a prime example of a rags to riches story. Once he was out of the military, Gatsby came into great wealth as a bootlegger. This wealth brought Gatsby many luxuries in society, but never the things that truly mattered in life, such as love, friendship, and happiness. This money brought a great divide among society. The method of attaining wealth, and spending of habits of the wealthy show a great divide within the upper social class. “New Money” was seen as carelessly and frivolously spent. People who fell into the new money category were the individuals who came into money after the war, while “Old Money” were the individuals who had wealth throughout generations. Old Money looked down upon the New Money crowd, because of the lifestyle they lived. Jay Gatsby was an example of the new money crowd. He threw lavish parties, and carelessly spent his money. Like many he acquired his money through illegal activity. Although he had any material possession he desired, his money did not buy him happiness friendship, nor the love of Daisy. Gatsby’s rise and fall was through his love for Daisy. Daisy was not interested in his love, and this led to the death of Jay Gatsby. He wanted to