A Changing Time
The 1920s was full of cultural change. A thirst for new adventure overtook the generation to feed the appetites of returning veterans. Combined with an economic boom of the 1920's, money and parties were flying freely. A side effect of this extravagant party scene, which was often displayed in Gatsby, was a shift in gender roles for both men and women. Women were starting to be seen as more of an equal party due their involvement in the war effort their new sense of pride. The pride introduced the "flappers" to the American community. Flappers cut their hair short, wore dresses cut above their knees, drank, smoke and embraced the sexual revolution. Women gained their new swagger from the huge steps being made in Women Rights. Women now had the ability to vote with the passing of the 19th amendment and a united front from the newly founded Women's Bureau and Department of Labor. Women were also beginning to take control of their bodies with education the use of contraceptives becoming prevalent due to Margaret Sanger's works.
The 1920s was full of cultural change. A thirst for new adventure overtook the generation to feed the appetites of returning veterans. Combined with an economic boom of the 1920's, money and parties were flying freely. A side effect of this extravagant party scene, which was often displayed in Gatsby, was a shift in gender roles for both men and women. Women were starting to be seen as more of an equal party due their involvement in the war effort their new sense of pride. The pride introduced the "flappers" to the American community. Flappers cut their hair short, wore dresses cut above their knees, drank, smoke and embraced the sexual revolution. Women gained their new swagger from the huge steps being made in Women Rights. Women now had the ability to vote with the passing of the 19th amendment and a united front from the newly founded Women's Bureau and Department of Labor. Women were also beginning to take control of their bodies with education the use of contraceptives becoming prevalent due to Margaret Sanger's works.
The Truth
Despite all the breakthroughs for women, a depressing reality is what really ran domestic life. Even with women’s introduction to the work force with the rise of consumerism and the cosmetic field, due to excess money and leisure time, the most stable economic venture for women was still considered marriage. The richer the man the better. This was the typical scene in Gatsby where the women with money would enjoy a life of leisure, while the single women would try to swoon men at parties. This is the first time women began to watch their weight by working out and counting calories, this was deemed un-lady like before. Also, much fuss was put into beauty and clothing. The short hair style, the bob, advanced when salons began to accept the change of style and most "flappers," were women who just wanted an excuse to expand their closets and weren't actively involved in the party scene. This left a great deal of power in men's hand, harmed the Women's rights movement and decreased appreciation for women. |
“I’ve got my wife locked in up there.” explained Wilson calmly (136).
“All the lights were going on in West Egg now; the electrical trains, men-carrying, were plunging home through the rain from New York.” (95)
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“Making a short deft movement, Tom Buchanan broke her nose with his open hand.” (37)
“In the foreground four solemn men in dress suits are walking along the sidewalk with a stretcher on which lies a drunken woman in a white evening dress. Her hand, which dangles over the side, sparkles cold with jewels. Gravely the men turn in at a house—the wrong house. But no one knows the woman’s name, and no one cares” (176)
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“By God, I may be old-fashioned in my ideas, but women run around too much these days to suit me.” (103) “All right…I‘m glad it‘s a girl. And I hope she‘ll be a fool – that‘s the best thing a girl can be in this world, a beautiful little fool”(17).
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