Disillusionment In The Great Gatsby

The Lost Generation: Its History and Impact on Writing and Dance The horrendous effects of World War I changed the shape of the world, creating a growing sense of distrust as people realized the “war to end all wars” solved nothing. Distrust of political leaders and government officials permeated the minds of those who had witnessed the terror and destruction that the war brought about. A feeling of disillusionment spread across the world as people bitterly decided that their governments in no way knew how to serve the best interests of the people. This gloomy epidemic ultimately affected the youth of this time, creating a time of disillusionment and loss of hope. This period cultivated a generation of disenchanted authors and artists,
In The Great Gatsby by Fitzgerald, Jay Gatsby does not reflect the disillusionment of the Lost Generation; he represents who the disillusioned desire to become (Moss 64). Gatsby’s need to win Daisy gives his life purpose, and this purpose drives him, fuels his success, and allows him to believe in himself and in the strength and purity of his love. Gatsby’s wealth enables him to provide the alcohol, the parties, the excesses to the disillusioned who surround him; yet he does not let their disillusionment control him. Even with his flaws, because Gatsby is a character who stays true to his personal values, he is viewed as a “hero.” Despite Fitzgerald’s own personal disillusioment, through characters like Gatsby, Fitzgerald created unforgettable characters who represented the ideal in a time where disillusionment overshadowed his life and the lives of many
Synthesizing the deep disillusionment that characterized the movement with innovations that shattered traditional expression in writing and dance, the authors and artists of this period revolutionized beliefs about what makes art beautiful, memorable, and enduring. Though aimless and disenchanted, this Lost Generation, nevertheless, made important, lasting changes and contributions to all areas of the arts and elevated the arts to new heights. However, despite the positive effect on creative expression that the Lost Generation ultimately produced, it was still a time mired in disillusionment and weighted down by a loss of hope; it was a time, as Fitzgerald describes, of “all gods dead, all wars fought, all faith in man shaken.”
Works Cited

Becnel, Kim. Bloom’s How To Write About Ernest Hemingway. New York: Bloom’s Literary Criticism, 2009. 49-115.
Becnel, Kim. Bloom’s How To Write About F. Scott Fitzgerald. New York: Bloom’s Literary Criticism, 2008. 213-214.
Eliot, T.S. The Waste Land and Other Poems. New York: Barnes & Noble Books,