Great Gatsby and the Harlem Renaissance

¶ … American Life in the Great Gatsby and the Harlem Renaissance

The Great Gatsby and the Harlem Renaissance (the world of Jay Gatsby, Nick Carraway, Daisy and the other inhabitants of Long Island, New York are the other side of the coin compared to the residents of Harlem, New York. F. Scott Fitzgerald's the Great Gatsby was written as not only a tribute to the Roaring Twenties, but also as a scorn for the giddiness and gaudiness of the era. The circle of people in Jay Gatsby's world were educated, socially connected, and wealthy. They were what is referred to as old money, meaning the present generations had never wanted for anything nor could their parents ever remember being in need. Their lives were filled with parties and social events Fitzgerald 1995). Fitzgerald painted the life of the rich and empty. Although, never wanting, they were nothing without their wealth. Few had talent and even fewer had morals and scruples. Gatsby parties were legendary among the elite of West Egg (Fitzgerald 1995). These parties were catered and entertained by the people on the other side of the coin. (the subjects in Voices From the Harlem Renaissance by Nathan Irvin Huggins are a world apart from Fitzgerald's characters. Higgins examines the world of the 1920's Harlem artists, musicians, and dancers. The Blues, Ragtime, and its offshoot Jazz, could be heard in Harlem clubs at all hours of the night Huggins 1994). Among a few of the artists who could be heard are Bessie Smith, Eubie Blake, Duke Ellington, and Louis Armstrong. Blake wrote the musical revue, "Shuffle Along" and it was the toast of the town. In the chorus was an unknown Josephine Baker, soon to be a star of international fame. White people came by droves to Harlem and white celebrities were eager to be invited to gatherings where they could meet with black poets and painters (Huggins 1994). This was the world of the famous Cotton Club and many other night clubs, or speak-easies, as they were called in the Prohibition Era of the twenties. The whites called it an evening of 'slumming' when they went to enjoy the musicians and artists of Harlem. They came not so much for the entertainment as to gawk at the black patrons (Huggins 1994). However, these musicians were the very ones who entertained at their elaborate parties, and the patrons were the very one who catered their food and carried champagne on trays all night for their social affairs. They were two sides of the coin, but each side represents the world of the Roaring Twenties.