Muhammad Fahad Abdullah

Ma’am Firdous

American Literature

13 May 2024

Discussion on the significance of the Great Depression, the Jazz Age, and the Roaring 20s in

Francis Scott Fitzgerald's The Great Gatsby and Arthur Miller's Death of a Salesman.

The Great Depression, the Jazz Age, and the Roaring 20s were pivotal historical events that

shaped American society in the early 20th century. These events had a profound impact on

literature, particularly in the works of Francis Scott Fitzgerald and Arthur Miller. In The Great

Gatsby, Fitzgerald masterfully portrays the excesses and superficiality of the Roaring 20s, while

in Death of a Salesman, Miller critiques the American Dream and the illusion of success during

the Great Depression.

The Roaring 20s, also known as the Jazz Age, was a time of great social change and cultural

upheaval. It was an era of prosperity, marked by new technologies, jazz music, and a sense of

liberation. People were eager to forget the horrors of World War I and indulge in the pleasures of

life. However, beneath the surface of this glamorous era lay a deep sense of disillusionment and

moral decay. The old values of hard work and thrift were replaced by a culture of consumerism

and hedonism.
In The Great Gatsby, Fitzgerald exposes the emptiness and corruption of the wealthy elite, who

use their wealth and status to hide their moral bankruptcy. The novel is set in the fictional towns

of West Egg and East Egg, which represent the old money and the new rich. Through the eyes of

Nick Carraway, the narrator, we see the lavish parties, the extravagant clothes, and the excessive

drinking. However, we also see the decay of moral values, the superficial relationships, and the

tragic consequences of the characters' actions. The green light across the water, symbolizing the

elusive American Dream, is a constant reminder of the unattainable nature of perfection.

In contrast, the Great Depression, which followed the Roaring 20s, was a time of great economic

hardship and widespread suffering. The stock market crash of 1929 led to widespread

unemployment, poverty, and despair. In Death of a Salesman, Miller portrays the devastating

effects of the Great Depression on the working class, particularly the protagonist Willy Loman,

who struggles to achieve the American Dream. Willy's failed pursuit of success and his tragic

demise serve as a warning against the dangers of chasing an unattainable dream.

Through their works, both Fitzgerald and Miller critique the American Dream and the illusion of

success. The American Dream, which promises prosperity and happiness to all, is revealed to be

an unattainable illusion. Both novels highlight the dark underbelly of American society, revealing

the empty materialism and moral decay that lies beneath the surface of prosperity and progress.

The characters in both novels are trapped in their own illusions, unable to escape the crushing

reality of their circumstances.

Ultimately, these works serve as a reminder of the importance of authenticity, morality, and

social responsibility in American society. They warn us against the dangers of chasing wealth

and status at the expense of our humanity. Through their critique of the American Dream,

Fitzgerald and Miller offer a profound commentary on the human condition, revealing the

universal struggles and desires that define us all.