For many Americans, life during the 1920s was a reaction to the First World War. The conflict had brought sacrifice, hardship and uncertainty. Peace and the new decade were seen as a time for enjoying life. Thanks to the rapid growth in the economy, many Americans found that they had more disposable income. With more money in their pockets, Americans indulged in a frenzy of spending on entertainment.
Young Americans claimed the 1920s as a time for celebrating youth and the future. Among the many writers who tried to capture this spirit was F. Scott Fitzgerald. His phrase ‘Jazz Age’ was an attempt to describe life during the 1920s. In his books This Side of Paradise and The Great Gatsby he tackled the social issues of the period — including excess and indulgence. The same was true of Edith Wharton. She explored the clash of traditional and modern values in The Age of Innocence.
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