The Jazz Age and F. Scott Fitzgerald

The so-called "Jazz Age" is the decade after World War I to the 1920s before the outbreak of the economic crisis. The most productive period of Fitzgerald's creativity is during this particular period. When the American capitalist developed to the monopoly stage, capitalist industry developed rapidly, polarization became more and more serious, many American youth living in the twenties experienced the Jazz Age's prosperity but disappointed, confused.
In Fitzgerald's own words, “It was an age of miracles, it was an age of art, it was an age of excess, and it was an age of satire.”(From Echoes of the Jazz Age By F. Scott Fitzgerald) Because he himself was passionate to join the debauchery of this era, he keenly felt the desire of romance in this era, as well as emptiness and helpless behind the surface of the luxury. He put these emotions vividly reflected in his work.
In his works, the subtle emotional entanglements between the upper-class young people who access to the golf courses, country clubs and stately homes is an eternal theme. And the young people's depression and melancholy are everywhere that can not be dispelled with money. The themes of his works are often young desire and idealism, because he thought that these are the characteristic of Americans. His works often involve feelings of fickle and sense of loss, because this was the fate of the people in that era.
As Fitzgerald's masterpiece, The Great Gatsby tells readers the decline of the American Dream in the Jazz Age through the perfect art form. The author made a vivid description of all the corruption of that era in American society. This novel also shows the decay of American traditional beliefs. It reproduced at that time American society was a dirty, empty, lifeless place, and a place lost purpose and significance of life.
Fitzgerald's life experience is extraordinary, which provides a rich source of his creation. His understanding of American life is more objective, true and profound than...