Crazy Behavior In The Great Gatsby

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Frederick Lewis Allen's interpretation of the "Roaring Twenties" was the best way to capture the era. During the 1920's, America saw unbelievable growth, development, and most importantly wreckless behavior. According to The Gilder Lehrman Institute of American History's article, F. Scott Fitzgerald and the Age of Excess, "Between 1921 and 1924 the country's gross national product jumped from $69 billion to $93 billion while aggregate wages rose from roughly $36.4 billion to $51.1 billion." These statistics do not merely exemplify a gradual rise in America's market value and income, but they prove that the United States was suddenly booming with wealth. So, how did Americans during the 1920's enjoy this ephemeral period of prosperity? …show more content…
This "crazy" behavior can be seen through the words of Nick Caraway, the narrator in F. Scott Fitzgerald's The Great Gatsby, who described how, "On week-ends [Gatsby's] Rolls Royce became an omnibus, bearing parties to and from the city" (F. Scott Fitzgerald and the Age of …show more content…
On a separate note, because of the mass affluence at the time, Americans began to indulge themselves in expensive things such as radios, telephones, lighting, and cars. While only 16 percent of households had electricity in 1912, almost two-thirds had electricity by the mid-twenties (F. Scott Fitzgerald and the Age of Excess). Furthermore, for the first time in American history people saw investing their money and taking out loans, a once frowned upon activity, as the right thing to do. Tons of Americans would pump their money into stock market thinking they would never lose. Lastly, although Prohibition took place during the entirety of the "Roaring Twenties", people did not let this new amendment control their lives. Instead, alcohol consumption emigrated from the saloon to the home (Prohibition and Its Effects). In fact, so many Americans ignored the new amendment that prisons became too crowded to contain all of those who were guilty of drinking, and judges just gave quick "guilty" pleas by promising very small fines rather than jail time (Prohibition and Its Effects). Through the debauchery of partying and the careless drinking, the 1920s really was a
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