Women's Role In 1920

Flappers wore rouge, powder, eye-liner, and lipstick, and made makeup very popular (Flappers in the Roaring Twenties). The behavior and attitudes of these ladies was a drastic shock. Their attitudes were characterized by their truthfulness, fast living, and their sexual behavior. They seemed to cling to the young life that they were living as if it was going to disappear at any moment. Their behavior had changed from girls who did what they were told, to going out to smoke (something only men had done at the time), drink, dance, and vote.

By diving into a look at the fashion, music, and lifestyle of the flapper during the 1920s it will become obvious that they were not only independent, liberated, and enjoying many more freedoms than they had previously throughout history, but that they also helped to pave the way for future generations of women’s quest for independence. Many flappers were working, single, white, middle-class women. They held jobs in the post-World War I era’s booming economy as clerks, telephone operators, and sales people. However, it was these women’s activities once the work day was over that the flapper lifestyle became famous for. These young and vibrant women were determined to have a good time; they frequented jazz clubs and speakeasies (prohibition was in full swing during the flapper’s era).

However in time jazz changed the way women are perceived; it gave women freedom, acceptance and opportunity. In return women such as Mary Lou Williams, Ella Fitzgerald, Lil Harden and more made significant contributions to jazz music that shaped it and made jazz what it is today. Although women have made huge contributions to jazz back in the early 1900s most female musicians went unnoticed. Innovations in jazz seemed to come mainly from those who played wind instruments, such as trumpet, saxophone or the clarinet. However these were considered male positions.

Jazz music caused the rise of the flapper women, who were, more seductive with their activities than most woman. Women wanted to have all the same opportunities as men. They weren’t going for the role of a submissive housewife, but active the female that could make it on her own. The Jazz impact can best be seen in The Great Gatsby when Nick and Gatsby meet Meyer Wolfsheim. They are in a club with Jazz music playing and flappers are dancing all around.

Even though women were still discriminated in the workforce by receiving lower pay than men, the number of women working increased around the United States. After women began changing the labor industries, their voting rights were granted, changing the political views of the United States. Even though women were discriminated throughout society in the 1920’s, they still fought for their rights as women that deserved an important role within our society. This change in women’s attitude influenced women across the world to value themselves and their importance. Women in the 1920’s changed the 20th century, and they are still changing society as we know it in our generation and will keep doing so for generations to

Among these powerful new changes was the freedom that women were finally able to vote and enjoy what was about to come. Instead of being confined at home, the women joined labor forces, worked with wages, and experimented with different types of behavior that would have been unreasonable a few years back. Along with these dramatic changes were their fashion styles. This style changed their rights and relationships with others completely. With that change, a new woman was born.

She sits on his lap and caresses him, after that she gives him a nerve pill by kissing him which this scene is added just to make she look even more seductive and promiscuous. Luhrmann adds some elements and lengthens the scene just to show how wild that all women, including Catherine and other men are gone wild and crazy. Catherine is dancing in the hip hop music with hard beats to get along with the wild party, drinking, kissing with Nick and taking her dress off with only the underwear left. This can suggest that she represents a independent woman of the Jazz Age who is drinking, dancing and partying around the clock just to have fun life.

The booming post-war economy and the sports heroines increased the popularity of women athletes. The idea of a woman was changing, from being dainty and delicate to athletic, healthy and strong. There has been a growth in opportunities for women in sports, and the media brought this competition to everyone’s attention around the world. The accomplishments of the women athletes of the 1920s were the beginning of the journey to becoming equal to men in the world of sports.

After the first world war there were many changes to the way Americans lived their lives. During this time industry boomed and unemployed people now held jobs. The economy was growing, people were making money which allowed more time for leisure. In the 1920’s came a new era of music called jazz. Jazz changed writing, fashion, the way people spent their free time, it changed peoples thoughts and attitudes towards life and towards racial discrimination.

The “Roaring Twenties” were an age of dramatic political, social, and economic change. Women wanted new and improved rights and the nation’s wealth doubled between 1920 and 1929. Culture, values, and the technology of America changed and it had only just begun. The “Roaring Twenties” were considered as a “celebration of youth”. The many experiences that came from WWI had transitioned into the growth of cities, new industries, and new morals.