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Technology In The Great Gatsby

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The Great Gatsby by F. Scott Fitzgerald is a book which takes place in the 1920's. The 1920's were also known as the "Roaring Twenties" in North America because of the growth of the fun and exciting culture. The 1920's were depressing following World War 1, but it was also a time to celebrate the end of the war. The people wanted hope and opportunity. During this time period, opportunity came in the form of technology and its advancements to help society. For other people, they wanted a change of rhythm in their lives, and that came in the form of fashion and music. These changes and developments helped shape our lives in society today.

The main developments during the 1920's were: radio, telephones, cars, science, and entertainment. The …show more content…

The upper class obviously had more money to buy the new pieces of technology introduced in that time period. Travel technology is shown through the novel, as ways of moving characters around the place. At the start of the book, Nick Carraway moved from the Midwest to New York to start in the bond business. He used a train for transportation and also bought an Old Dodge for a car once he arrived in New York. These luxuries were just introduced in the 20's, and if they were not then Nick would not be able to start his business and start a new life in New York. "I had a dog—at least I had him for a few days until he ran away—and an Old Dodge and a Finnish woman, who made my bed and cooked breakfast and muttered Finnish wisdom to herself over the electric stove." (Fitzgerald, 3-4) Ultimately, a transportation luxury was used in the event of the climax in The Great Gatsby. Myrtle Wilson, who is Tom's lover, was killed in a hit-and-run by Daisy and Gatsby. After being sick of the East, Nick decides to move back to the Midwest. "That's my Middle West—not the wheat or the prairies or the lost Swede towns, but the thrilling returning of my youth, and the street lamps and sleigh bells in the frosty dark and shadows of holly wreaths thrown by lighted windows on the snow." (Fitzgerald 176) Transportation luxuries bring him to the city, they allow him to travel within the city, and they remove him from the city, and goes back

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