The document discusses the literary context of the 1920s in America and F. Scott Fitzgerald's The Great Gatsby. It describes how World War I changed American literature from optimistic to cynical. Writers explored "modernism" through experimentation as people rejected old social norms. The 1920s was the "Jazz Age" where young people sought independence through movies, jazz, and radio. The "American Dream" involved seeing America as a bountiful land of opportunity where individuals could achieve prosperity through hard work and self-reliance.

1. MODERNISM AND REALISM IN AMERICAN LITERATURE The 1920s, The American Dream and F. Scott Fitzgerald

2. The 1920s What do you already know about the 1920s? What was going on in America at the time? How were attitudes changing? What events affected how people looked at the world?

3. Changing American Literature WW1 changed American literature Before the war, writers were hopeful and optimistic After the war, writers started to feel hopeless ad cynical about humanity America had, in a way, lost its innocence because the American mind had been ravaged by horrific images of war and brutality Idealism gave way to cynicism and writers began to question authority and tradition

4. The Emergence of “Modernism” Americans wanted to reject the social and cultural norms of the pre-war era and wanted to find new way to define themselves They were disillusioned with the past and looked toward the future and modernity They wanted to create their own traditions and society through bold experimentation and exploration

5. The Jazz Age in “Modern” America The 1920s was considered the Jazz Age for its music and its attitude and the term was coined by F. Scott Fitzgerald Young people wanted to be independent and live their own lives and not the lives of their parents Women won the right to vote and Prohibition banned alcohol Americans sought “modern” entertainments like movies, jazz, dancing and the radio

6. The American Dream What does the term “American Dream” mean to you? Is there a traditional “American Dream” Do you think there is such thing as an “American Nightmare”?

7. Three Aspects of the American Dream The idea of the “American Dream” can be broken down into three aspects: 1. America as “The Land of Eden” 2. Optimism 3. The Ultimate Triumph and Celebration of the Individual

8. America as “The Land of Eden” America was seen at the land of limitless bounty and beauty America was also seen as the land of opportunity and unlimited resources and chances for prosperity People thought that anyone could achieve anything they wanted in America- this is a key theme for the character of Jay Gatsby in The Great Gatsby

9. American Optimism Americans begin to emphasize the idea of progress, related to the idea of becoming “modern” They think life is getting better and better and that they are headed for an era of extreme prosperity and success

10. The Ultimate Triumph and Celebration of the Individual Because anything is possible in America, the hard working and self-reliant person will accomplish whatever he sets his mind to There is also emphasis on overcoming any unfortunate circumstances that could get in the way to success (birth, poverty, social standing etc) People also thought they only needed to trust in themselves and the universe