The Great Gatsby as a reflection of the 'Jazz Age', America and the American Dream

Diploma Thesis from the year 2016 in the subject American Studies - Literature, grade: 4,5, , course: postgraduade, language: English, abstract: One of the most outstanding American novels that explore the ethos of the American dream is 'The Great Gatsby', a symbolic presentation of America of 1920s, the era of unprecedented prosperity as well as corruption. Each of the characters of 'The Great Gatsby' has his/her own concept of the 'America Dream' and the goals they want to achieve. The first chapter of the thesis deals with socio-political situation in the U.S. after the WW1. It will analyze the most vital issues for America of that era such as economic prosperity, prohibition, immigration as well as social changes related to the position of women (flappers) and the concept of success (self-made man). Chapter Two analyzes the main features of the American 'Roaring 20s' such as materialistic attitude towards life, striving to attain high social status, prohibition as well as social phenomena 'flappers' and 'self made man' in the context of the events and the characters of The Great Gatsby. Its assumption is to reflect the 1920s through the standpoints of its characters as well as economic and social background of the fiction.