“…by a burst of jazz as the dancing began” A Study on Jazz Age through the backdrop of F. Scott Fitzgerald’s The Great Gatsby

Abstract

This paper examines F. Scott Fitzgerald’s The Great Gatsby as a literary lens through which the complexities of the Jazz Age are explored. The study situates the novel within the socio-cultural context of 1920s America, an era marked by economic prosperity, cultural transformation, and moral ambiguity. It argues that Fitzgerald’s narrative captures both the dazzling allure and the darker undercurrents of the period, exposing the contradictions of a society enthralled by material wealth and social status yet haunted by inequality and disillusionment. Central to this analysis is the critique of the American Dream, represented through Jay Gatsby’s rise and fall, and its entanglement with class divisions, consumerism, and unattainable ideals. By examining themes such as the divide between “old money” and “new money,” the fragility of social mobility, and the hollow pursuit of pleasure, the paper highlights Fitzgerald’s ability to portray the Jazz Age not merely as a backdrop but as an active force shaping human ambitions and failures. The study also reflects on the continuing significance of The Great Gatsby, arguing that its interrogation of wealth, desire, and authenticity remains relevant in understanding contemporary cultural anxieties. Ultimately, the paper underscores Fitzgerald’s achievement in transforming personal and historical experience into a timeless critique of human aspiration and moral decline.