Term paper on 1920s And 1930s With Reference To Hemingway And Fitzgerald
1920s And 1930s With Reference To Hemingway And Fitzgerald Essays
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The 1920's exemplified the changing attitudes of American's toward foreign relations, society, and leisure activities. The twenty years that fell between 1920 and 1940 were a time period that has shaped America not only because it is the darkest period in the countries’ history, but also because of how many lives were affected for the worst. Disillusionment and isolationism were beginning to shape parts of America by adding to the confusion that had taken place after the conclusion of WW1. This was seen not only economically, but socially as well. Americans, in the years following the end of World War I found themselves in an era, where they simply wished to detach themselves from the troubles of Europeans and the rest of the world. During the years of the Twenties, the economy was prosperous, there was widespread social reform, new aspects of culture were established, and people found better ways to improve their lifestyle. Overall, the people, released from the pressures of a war government enjoyed life. The 1920s and 1930s defined America as a period when the society that so longed to forget the war, that they were slowly transformed into a population where self-love was rampant, and the morals that America had been so tediously grasping to, fell away. Through the novels of The Great Gatsby by F. Scott Fitzgerald and The Sun Also Rises by Ernest Hemingway, the attitudes of disillusionment and isolation are seen in Americans are a direct outcome of the weakening of societies moral codes, and the death of the “American Dream.”
The effect of the war on the general population was one of discontent and isolationary feelings towards the countries that had caused them to see the cracks within their dream of a peaceful existence. Following World War I, many Americans demanded that the United States stay out of European affairs in the future. The United States Senate even refused to accept the Treaty of Versailles, which officially ended World War I and provided for the establishment of the League of Nations. The Senate chose to refuse the Treaty in the fear that it could result in the involvement of the United States in future European wars. Americans simply did not wish to deal with, or tolerate the problems of Europe and abroad. (Burg 167)A key factor that they did not recognize was that after the war, there was an increased flow of immigrants seeking a better life. These "new" immigrants were largely from Italy, Russia, and Ireland, countries the Americans regarded as uncultured and generally bothersome. (Burg 128) There was a mixed reaction to these incoming foreigners. While they provided industries with a cheap source of labor, Americans were both afraid of, and hostile towards these new groups. They differed from the "typical American" in language, customs, and religion. Many individuals and industries alike played upon America's fears of immigration to further their own goals.
As a measure of relief, the war torn and disillusioned Americans turned their attention to problems at home that had festered while America was off at war. Unknown to almost the whole population, a time of despair and darkness was to soon fall upon them. During the 1920’s, the economy was high and generally prosperous for almost all Americans. During this time period, many people were content with their economic lives and there was no large complaint in the area of labor unions and workers complaints. However, the Great Depression in the 1930’s was a time of hardship and poverty for many workers. A large percentage of legislation that was created in the 1930’s, focused on the treatment of workers and the problems they experienced. Unions actually benefited with the help of Franklin D. Roosevelt who promised Americans a "New Deal". The Wagner Act was passed which guaranteed workers the right to join unions and bargain collectively. The National Labor Relations Board (NRLB) was formed. (Cronon 235) The board could hold elections so workers could vote for the union they wanted to be represented by. The board could also stop unfair practices used by employers against unions. America was developing into the country it is today. The new immigrants were used by organized industries as a source of cheap labor. But as labor unions began to form and push for better pay, shorter hours, and improved working conditions industries saw that it was not as easy to exploit these immigrants as it had been before. They tied the American's hostilities towards immigrants to the newly emerging fear of radicalism. (Stein 37) When workers went on strike, industry leaders turned public opinion against them by labeling the strikes as attempts at radical uprising. As a result, workers were often left with no other choice than to accept the terms of industry management. The fight for prohibition was aided by America's antagonism for immigrants. (Stein 25)
It seemed that Americans were finally achieving their dreams, the economy was at an all time high, however, an event was coming that would drastically shatter the hopes and futures of the American population.The roaring twenties soon led into a time of despair and poverty, the Great Depression. In 1929 it seemed that America’s bright future was to be crushed. Shortly after Herbert Hoover was elected president, Wall Street was greatly affected by the greatest stock market crash in the history of the United States of America. The stock market was a very important aspect of the economy in the 1920's. As the economy was flourishing, many Americans found it a practical investment to put money into the Stock exchange, as the return profit could be quite large. It was such promises of financial that convinced many Americans to buy stocks. When the market crashed America was plummeted into a great depression which effected all the world economics. During this period President Franklin D. Roosevelt was elected. President Roosevelt said, "So, first of all, let me assert my firm belief that the only thing we have to fear is fear itself--nameless, unreasoning, unjustified terror which paralyzes needed efforts to convert retreat into advance." (Burg 105). His first action of presidency was to implement what is known as the New Deal to help the country to emerge from the Great Depression. Many Americans felt that they were untouchable in society. The thought of the American Dream cemented in the heads of thousands of Americans overshadowed the real risk of business in the United States. When the American people saw that the economy was flourishing, they felt that they were on a pedestal, protected from the river of uncertainty, economic depression and the failure of the American Dream. The Twenties began as an era were Americans were feeling good. They had forgotten about the troubles of Europeans and began to better their lifestyles. Americans were finding new ways to earn a better living through an overall period of booming business and higher wages for workers. Many Americans began investing in the stock exchange in the hope of having a prosperous return. When the depression came, the people realized that life was cruel and their dreams were crushed by the lack of money, and after a time, hope. As fortunes were earned, and fortunes were lost, the reality of the American Dream was sinking in. (Burg 99) The dream of coming to the country and making it big came true for some Americans, but to others, it was not as sweet. Many lost all they had while trying to make it. Their dreams were short-lived and the so-called American Dream that had once surrounded them left them orphaned in a sea of debt. In this era, Americans soon learned that the American Dream was a legend that only few could achieve although it was wanted by all.
The literature of the time often reflected the desperation and despair of the people in the nation. Two of the books that most displayed the nations feelings of hopelessness and regret, were The Sun Also Rises by Ernest Hemingway and The Great Gatsby By F. Scott Fitzgerald. Both men had entirely different lives but their writings reflect the same urgency. In both book the characters can be seen as looking for a way out, a search for the dying American dream. Ernest Hemingway was born on July 21, 1899, in Oak Park, Illinois. He was the son of a very strict Doctor, who forbid him, as a child, to read books of any questionable material. His mother, who was seemingly naďve to the darkening world around her, also treated Ernest, like a “female baby-doll”. (Hemingway xii) When the time for WW1 came, he inlisted in the army, but was turned away because of a bad left eye. He became an ambulance driver in Italy, and there he was shot in the knee and sent to the hospital. He soon fell in love with his nurse and they were married. It was about this time, in 1925 that he began to write The Sun Also Rises. The book was based on his experiences in Pampolona, Spain. He also wrote other books such as Farewell to Arms, The Old Man and the Sea, and Death in the Afternoon. A common theme throughout Hemingway's stories is that no matter how hard we fight to live, we end up defeated, but we are here and we must go on. Hemingway also included much sex and cursing within his novels. It seemed as though he wished to shock the readers with all the propaganda he had been sheltered from in his early life. Sadly, Hemingway still battled with the demons within himself. After 3 failed marriages and a year of shock therapies and anti-depression drugs, Hemingway committed suicide July 2, 1961. (Hemingway xiii) Hemingway’s life represents a common trend of the 1920s and 1930s. While the individuals where sheltered as children and then grew up in the horrors of the depression. Many, like Hemingway felt suicide was the only way out. It is a pity that a man with so much potential would kill himself, but it is an ironic showcase of the era that ruined the lives of thousands of people.
F. Scott Fitzgerald, was another man whose life in the period of the 1920s-1930s was reflected in his writings. F. Scott Fitzgerald grew up in St. Paul, Minnesota. From boyhood Fitzgerald experienced both the conflict and the...
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