HEDONISM AND MATERIALISM AS NEGATIVE EFFECTS OF SOCIAL CHANGES IN AMERICAN SOCIETY POTRAYED IN THE NOVEL THIS SIDE OF PARADISE WRITTEN BY F. SCOTT FITZGERALD
A THESIS
BY:
IRENE NYSSA ELYSIA
REG. NO. 100705019
DEPARTMENT OF ENGLISH
Approved by the Department of English, Faculty of Cultural Studies University of Sumatera Utara (USU) Medan as thesis for The Sarjana Sastra Examination
Head, Secretary,
HEDONISM AND MATERIALISM AS NEGATIVE EFFECTS OF SOCIAL CHANGES IN AMERICAN SOCIETY POTRAYED IN THE NOVEL THIS SIDE OF PARADISE WRITTEN BY F. SCOTT FITZGERALD
A THESIS
BY:
IRENE NYSSA ELYSIA
REG. NO. 100705019
Supervisor Co-Supervisor
Dr. Hj. T. Thyrhaya Zein, M.A Drs. Siamir Marulafau, M.Hum NIP. 19630109 198803 2 001 NIP. 19580517 198503 1 003
Submitted to Faculty of Cultural Studies University of Sumatera Utara Medan in partial fulfillment of the requirements for the degree of Sarjana Sastra from Department of English
DEPARTMENT OF ENGLISH
Accepted by the Board of Examiners in partial fulfillment of requirements for the degree of Sarjana Sastra from Department of English, Faculty of Cultural Studies, University of Sumatera Utara, Medan.
The examination is held in Department of English Faculty of Cultural Studies University of Sumatera Utara on April, 8th 2014.
Dean of Faculty of Cultural Studies University of Sumatera Utara
Dr. H. Syahron Lubis, MA NIP.19511013 197603 1 001
Board of Examineers
Dr. H. Muhizar Muchtar, M.S ……….
Rahmadsyah Rangkuti, MA, Ph.D ……….
Dr. Siti Norma Nasution, M.Hum ……….
Dr. Hj. T. Tyrhaya Zein, M.A ………
AUTHOR’S DECLARATION
I, IRENE NYSSA ELYSIA DECLARE THAT I AM THE SOLE AUTHOR OF THIS THESIS EXCEPT WHERE REFERENCE IS MADE IN THE TEXT OF THIS THESIS. THIS THESIS CONTAINS NO MATERIAL PUBLISHED ELSEWHERE OR EXTRACTED IN WHOLE OR IN PART FROM A THESIS BY WHICH I HAVE QUALIFIED FOR OR AWARDED ANOTHER DEGREE. NO OTHER PERSON’S WORK HAS BEEN USED WITHOUT DUE ACKNOWLEDGMENTS IN THE MAIN TEXT OF THIS THESIS. THIS THESIS HAS NOT BEEN SUBMITTED FOR THE AWARD OF ANOTHER DEGREE IN ANY TERTIARY EDUCATION.
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NAME : IRENE NYSSA ELYSIA
TITLE OF THESIS : HEDONISM AND MATERIALISM AS NEGATIVE EFFECTS OF SOCIAL CHANGES IN AMERICAN SOCIETY POTRAYED IN THE NOVEL THIS SIDE OF PARADISE WRITTEN BY F. SCOTT FITZGERALD
QUALIFICATION : S-1/ SARJANA SASTRA
DEPATMENT : ENGLISH
I AM WILLING THAT MY THESIS SHOULD BE AVAILABLE FOR REPRODUCTION AT THE DISCRETION OF THE LIBRARIAN OF DEPATMENT OF ENGLISH, FACULTY OF CULTURAL STUDIES, UNIVERSITY OF SUMATERA UTARA ON THE UNDESRSTANDING THAT USERS ARE MADE AWARE OF THEIR OBLIGATION UNDER LAW OF THE REPUBLIC OF INDONESIA.
ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS
Bismillahirrahmannirrahim…
Alhamdulillah… first of all, I would like to express my deepest gratitude to my
Almighty God, Allah SWT for giving me blessing, guidance, power and ability to finish this
thesis. I believe that Allah will always lead my way through every obstacle that I faced in my
whole life, so it will make me become stronger…and more grateful as I go through with it.
Next, I also would like to say thanks to Dean of Faculty of Letters USU, Dr. H.
Syahron Lubis, M.A, the Head of English Department, Dr. H. Muhizar Muchtar, M.S, and the
Secretary of English Department, Rahmadsyah Rangkuti, MA. Ph.D. and all of lectures of the
English department who have given me much knowledge during the year of my study.
Furthermore, I would like give my biggest gratitude and appreciation to my
supervisor Dr. Hj. T. Thyrhaya Zein, M.A and my co- supervisor Drs. Siamir Marulafau, M.
Hum, for giving me so much knowledge in guiding, correcting, and supervising this thesis. I
am really thankful because Mam Thyra and Sir Siamir are not only patience to help and guide
me, but also give me many supports in finishing this thesis.
Then, my most special gratitude is dedicated to my wonderful family, especially for
my parents that always be there for me. Thank you mom and dad for giving me your great
aunt, uncle and of course my lovely cousins that always motivate me in completing this
thesis. I dedicated this graduation hat for you, guys!
Last but not least, I would like to say thank you for my best best best friends in the
world I’ve ever met…. Emilia Pranata, Aryanti Dwi Astuti, Putri Pratiwi, Nazlia, Erika,
Yuni, and Tommy. Thank you so much for your support and most sincerely friendship you
bring to me all these time. Let’s be the spotlight of the show, Friends!
Thank you so much! May Allah SWT always bless our journey
Medan, April 2014
Irene Nyssa Elysia
ABSTRACT
Judul skripsi ini adalah ‘HEDONISM AND MATERIALISM AS NEGATIVE EFFECTS OF SOCIAL CHANGES IN AMERICAN SOCIETY POTRAYED IN THE NOVEL THIS SIDE OF PARADISE WRITTEN BY F. SCOTT FITZGERALD’. Sesuai dengan judulnya, skripsi ini membahas tentang fenomena hedonisme dan materialisme yang terjadi di Amerika pada awal tahun 1920an, sebagai dampak negatif dari Perang Dunia I. Fenomena ini dapat dibuktikan dari gambaran yang dipaparkan oleh Scott melalui novel ini, yaitu tentang kondisi masyarakat terutama generasi muda Amerika yang mengalami perubahan sosial. Seperti kebiasaan mereka untuk mabuk-mabukan, pergeseran arti modernitas bagi para wanita, pergaulan bebas, bahkan kekayaan dan status sosial yang dianggap sebagai ukuran kebahagiaan.
TABLE OF CONTENTS
AUTHOR’S DECLARATION COPYRIGHT DECLARATION ACKNOWLEDGMENTS
ABSTRACT
TABLE OF CONTENTS
CHAPTER I INTRODUCTION
1.1 Background of the Study………...….. 1
1.2 Problems of the Study……..………... 5
1.3Objective of the Study………... 5
1.4Scope of the Study………..…… 6
1.5 Significance of the Study………..…. 6
CHAPTER II REVIEW OF LITERATURE 2.1Sociology of Literature……….. 7
2.2Social Changes and American Modernization…….……….. 9
2.3The Brief Explanation of Hedonism Phenomenon……....…… 11
2.4The Brief Explanation of Materialism Concept as Phenomenon……… 12
2.5Jazz Age as American Modernization……… 13
2.6Review of Related Studies………. 15
CHAPTER III METHOD OF RESEARCH 3.1 Research Design……… 17
3.2 Data and Source of Data………... 18
3.4 Data Analysis……… 19
Scheme I………. 21
CHAPTER IV ANALYSIS AND FINDINGS
4.1 Hedonism as the Negative Effect of Social Changes…… 22
4.1.1 Flappers in ‘This Side of Paradise’………. 23
4.1.2 Alcoholic Lifestyle in ‘This Side of Paradise’…… 26
4.1.3 Free Love in ‘This Side of Paradise’……….. 28
4.2 Materialism as the Negative Effect of Social Changes… 31
4.2.1 Wealth as Indication of Social Status and Happiness
In ‘This Side of Paradise’……… 32
4.3 Findings………. 38
CHAPTER V CONCLUSION AND SUGGESTION
5.1 Conclusion………. 39
5.2 Suggestion………. 40
REFERENCES APPENDICES
Judul skripsi ini adalah ‘HEDONISM AND MATERIALISM AS NEGATIVE EFFECTS OF
SOCIAL CHANGES IN AMERICAN SOCIETY POTRAYED IN THE NOVEL THIS SIDE OF
PARADISE WRITTEN BY F. SCOTT FITZGERALD’. Sesuai dengan judulnya, skripsi ini
membahas tentang fenomena hedonisme dan materialisme yang terjadi di Amerika pada awal tahun 1920an, sebagai dampak negatif dari Perang Dunia I. Fenomena ini dapat dibuktikan dari gambaran yang dipaparkan oleh Scott melalui novel ini, yaitu tentang kondisi masyarakat terutama generasi muda Amerika yang mengalami perubahan sosial. Seperti kebiasaan mereka untuk mabuk-mabukan, pergeseran arti modernitas bagi para wanita, pergaulan bebas, bahkan kekayaan dan status sosial yang dianggap sebagai ukuran kebahagiaan.
Adapun tujuan dari penulisan skripsi ini adalah untuk membuktikan perilaku-perilaku hedonisme dan materialisme yang terdapat di Amerika pada awal tahun 1920an, penyebab serta dampaknya pada masyarakat tersebut. Selain itu, hasil dari analisa skripsi ini juga bertujuan agar pembaca dapat waspada terhadap perilaku-perilaku yang terjadi akibat perubahan sosial seperti yang terjadi
di Amerika pada saat itu. Dalam analisis ini penulis menggunakan qualitative research dengan
cara descriptive method, serta menggunakan extrinsic approach. Dari hasil analisa yang
ditemukan, penulis dapat mengambil kesimpulan bahwa benar adanya jika novel This Side of
Paradise merupakan perlambangan dari kondisi masyarakat Amerika pada awal tahun 1920an, yang mengalami perubahan sosial berupa perilaku hedonisme dan materialisme sebagai akibat dari Perang Dunia I.
CHAPTER I INTRODUCTION
1.1Background of the Study
In today’s era of globalization which characterized by the increasing of the
advancement in all fields, become one of the reality that can’t be shunned by
every person that live in this era. As the result, this social development offered
pleasure of life with modern style called hedonism and materialism phenomena.
Generally, someone preoccupation with wealth can be described as the
represented of materialism fulfillment in ‘things’, while hedonism regarded as
preoccupation that viewed the fulfillment of someone life deals with ‘pleasure’. In
fact, this social development changes also bring some negative effects to the
society, such as the problems that contain materialistic and hedonistic behaviors.
Nowadays, these behaviors can be seen from some few examples of
pleasure consumption that already spread wildly, such as alcoholics, smoking,
drugs, leisure sex and also money as the social necessities symbol. In the recent
study, these phenomena not only appear in reality life, but also become one of the
object analyses that connected and inspired some writers in writing literary works.
Generally, literary works are the creative imagination based on the writer
experiences, feeling and idea that expressed beautifully through their works. One
work can be called as a good literary work if it consists of some functions that will
become valuable when people read it.
Talking about society and social imitation through literary works, it can be
interpreted that the writer in their works tries to ‘imitate’ the terms dealing with
human conditions in real life. This term is well known as the sociology of
literature approach, which also emphasizes by Eagleton (1996:103) that said, “The
relevance of all this to literature becomes clear when we realize that the literary
works themselves can be seen as speech acts, or as an imitation of them.
Literature may appear to be describing the world.” One of the relation example
between literary works and social imitation is in ‘This Side of Paradise’ novel by
F. Scott Fitzgerald that deals with the negative effects of social changes, such as
hedonism and materialism of American society especially the young generation in
early of 1920’s or it is also known as Jazz Age.
Francis Scott Key Fitzgerald the American author, was born in St. Paul,
Minnesota, in 1896. He was educated at St. Paul Academy, the Newman School
and Princeton University, he joined the army and went to France to join the World
War I in 1917. On his return from France, then he decided to complete and
published his first novel, This Side of Paradise (1920) which achieved immediate
financial and critical success. This novel indeed seemed to galvanize the youth of
the era, which became known as the “Jazz Age”. Whereas also seemed to decide
as the portrayal of American society at that time. He continued to record and
focuses these ideas which can be found in his other novels and story collection
such as Flappers and Philosopher (1920), Tales of the Jazz Age (1922), The
Beautiful and the Dammed (1922) and two novels consider his best works, The
Great Gatsby (1925) and The Last Tycoon (incomplete because Fitzgerald’s death
in 1940, but then publish to acclaim in 1941).
This Side of Paradise is a story about the way of American people life in
early 1920’s that represented by the major character of the novel, Amory Blaine.
Amory is the son of a wealthy industrialist and a traditional socialite mother, who
is searching for his identity as a new generation. The era when the term of new
social style change the way of American new generation behaves, which reflected
between Amory and other characters in the novel. Moreover, it can also be seen in
this novel about the social changes in American society especially for the young
generations in their modern era after World War I which is well known as the jazz
age. The era that portrait hedonism and materialism phenomena as the negative
effects of social changes which regarded from the war impact.
In doing this thesis, I consult and use some thesis that refer to the social
condition of America in 1920’s and before the era. First, the thesis entitled ‘An
Analysis of Social Reflection in America Based on F. Scott Fitzgerald’s The Great
Gatsby’, Sa’idah (2008). This thesis explains about the social condition of
American society in ‘Roaring Twenties’ that reflected through the characters in
The Great Gatsby novel. The second reference that I use deals with ‘Materialism
Nurul Nayla Azmi (2009). The main object of this thesis is to portray the impact
of money that can control human life, because people never feel satisfied of what
they have. While the other source which focuses on American social condition in
19th century can be seen from Anggaraini (2007) thesis entitled ‘American Social
Condition in the late of 19th Century found in Stephen Crane’s Maggie: A Girl of
the Street’. The writer in this thesis analyze about the immigrants and poverty
problems in America caused by the Civil War.
The explanations above become the reason why I choose the topic
‘Hedonism and Materialism as negative effects of Social Changes in American
Society portrayed in This Side of Paradise by F. Scott Fitzgerald’ in doing this
thesis. Thus, I decided to focus the object of the analysis in the first beginning of
‘Jazz Age’ era from 1918-1920, that represents the characteristic of social changes
in that period in this novel. The era that portrays the life of American social
condition in early 1920’s that become the age of American triumph and
modernism. Furthermore, this novel focuses about the hedonism and materialism
in American society as the impact of the economic and social rapid change in
early 1920’s, which represented by the characters from this novel. Thus, from
Fitzgerald point of view in this novel, it can be seen how history can also change
the perspectives of an individual or societies lives which pictured from This Side
of Paradise.
As hedonism and materialism phenomena are still exist and can be found
in our daily life, the needs of local wisdom as the rejection key become an
be started from the individual of the society itself, such as by having deep
understanding of local culture and traditions, having strong faith (religion), and
also good manners in order avoid and reject these phenomena.
1.2Problems of the Study
In analyzing this thesis, I focus the object of analysis to some social
problems that appeared in This Side of Paradise novel. They are
1. What are the negative effects of social changes in American society
portrayed in This Side of Paradise by F. Scott Fitzgerald?
2. How are the negative effects of social changes in American society
portrayed in This Side of Paradise by F. Scott Fitzgerald?
1.3Objective of the Study
Concerning to the problem above, this thesis tries to find out the answers
of those questions, they are:
1. To describe the negative effects of social changes in American society
portrayed in This Side of Paradise by F. Scott Fitzgerald.
2. To describe the impact of negative effects of social changes in
American society portrayed in This Side of Paradise by F. Scott
1.4Scope of the Study
To limit the analysis, I focus my research only on the negative effects of
social changes in America, including the hedonistic and materialistic behaviors in
early 1920’s as reflected in This Side of Paradise by F. Scott Fitzgerald.
1.5Significance of the Study
By doing this thesis, I hope it can give benefit for both theoretical and
practical aspects. Theoretically, the study of this thesis will be able to give
information to the readers about hedonism and materialism phenomena of
American society in early 1920’s based on This Side of Paradise by F. Scott
Fitzgerald. Beside that, I also hope that this thesis will enrich the knowledge of
English Department students in studying about hedonism and materialism as a
part of sociology of literature context. While practically, this research
shows that human should be aware of the effects that are caused by negative
luxurious in real life which still happens nowadays. The example can be seen by
hedonistic behavior like alcoholics, smoking, drugs consumption, free sex and
also materialistic behavior that consider money as the social necessities symbol.
So, to reject and avoid these problems in daily life, it is better if the society
especially for the young generation to have strong faith, traditions and also local
wisdom as their role key. The last but not least, I do hope that this research will
be useful to the readers and will lead another researcher that interested in this kind
CHAPTER II
REVIEW OF LITERATURE
Practically, literature will always have a connection with sociological
aspect as the reflection of the society. Furthermore, this connection will also deal
with some social changes inside of the society itself. Hedonism and materialism
aspects are the example that Fitzgerald tries to describe in his novel This Side of
Paradise as the reflection of American society in early 1920’s.
Thus, the general concept of social changes and modernization in
Fitzgerald’s era will be discussed more in this chapter. While the term of
hedonism and materialism in Jazz age will also be explored though the analysis of
Fitzgerald novel This Side of Paradise.
2.1 Sociology of Literature
Basically, “Sociology derives from the Greek ‘Socius’ (society) and
‘logos’ (science) which means the study of all aspects of human and their relation
in community.”(Ratna, 2003:1). Through sociology, we may know the deeper
understanding about human beings, human group, and how human interact
between each other in social institution called society. While, literature in their
existence actually also contribute the same perspectives with sociology that deals
with human being in society. This connection can be proved by the same object
their surroundings, politics, economic, or even the relationship between
themselves. That’s why sociology of literature becomes one extrinsic approach
that interests some writers in writing their literary works, such as in novel genre.
Damono (1976: 10) states that one of the major attentions from sociology
of literature analysis actually deals with literature documentary, which considers
literature as the reflection of one period. In short, the way to analyze sociology of
literature in one literary work is by connecting the fiction characters, theme of the
work, or the writing style with the writer reality based on the period of that time.
From the explanation above, it can be seen that there is always a connection
between literature and social phenomenon in reality because literary work always
contain critical message that the writer want to interpret based on their
experiences in the society. Therefore, novel as the literary work reflect and imitate
the social reality aspects, which the writer try to express through their writing that
later the reader can grasp the value of the idea when they read the novel.
F. Scott Fitzgerald is one of the example of American writer that use
sociology of literature approach in his works, such as This Side of Paradise. It can
be proved by Fitzgerald description of hedonism and materialism phenomena in
American society throughout the characters of his novel. The connection of this
approach also can be seen by the story which imitate the real conditions of
American society in early 1920’s, which having social changes as the effect of
World War I. Then, it is clear that the phenomena which Fitzgerald uses in his
2.2 Social Changes and American Modernization
Social changes derived from sociological term that relate to the society and
their social changes system. Social changes include all aspect in social institutions
of the society that will influence the social system, such as; the values, attitude,
and behavior system in the group of the society (Davis, 1970:625). It means that
to analyze the social changes in one society, we should observe clearly some
factors that will lead to those conditions. There are some factors in the society that
will lead these social changes condition; such as the development of the people in
the society itself, some new technology development that will influence their way
of thinking, social conflicts that bring the rebellion or revolution of the society
that feel oppressed, and also nature disaster and war which sometimes force the
society to make the social changes.
The term that deals with social changes in the society is the concept of
modernization. Modernization is defined from Latin form as ‘modernus’, which
means the process into modern period. Basically, modernization is a process of
the society which tries to develop into modern transformation.
The example of this modern transformation can be seen from American
society after World War I that became the new start of their prosperity era, which
also known as Jazz Age. American society during this time changed in many ways
into the modernization. The society progress can be seen from the automobile
development that allow them to travel into different countries; many women
flourished of new style of literature, art, fashion and music that reflected the
modernization generation at that time; or even the business industry and
advertisement that encouraged them to spend their money on ‘luxury’ items, such
as cars, refrigerator, and washing machine, etc. Spindler in his American
Literature and Social changes state:
“The emergence of the leisure class in early twentieth-century America was a social development of major ideological significance. Its aristocratic features belied the image of a republic as a fluid, democratic society, and led to propagation luxury, idleness, pecuniary emulation and conspicuous consumption as honorific pursuits.” (1983:150)
Thus, American society in this new century prefer more in consumerism
lifestyle, and even interest in looking for social prestige or status. They also don’t
really care of norms standard as long as they get pleasurable life. Within these
new attitudes and needs make each people of the society have to think better way
to fit in the modern society. Later, this modernization leads the society into the
development of new social characteristic and their lifestyle problems, such as;
hedonism and materialism.
Historically, hedonism and materialism phenomena as a part of American
social changes in early 1920’s, cannot be separated from modern capitalism which
change the society perspectives. Marx (in Giddens, 1986: 264) states that chasing
for wealth, that- as the general morality of soul- can only be found in modern
capitalism, which later will also change the perspectives of human morality value.
their development in early 1920’s. The modernization that the century brings in
fact also change the motive of either business industry and even individual
concept in the way to get their own welfare profit in the society, which later lead
to hedonism and materialism phenomena.
2.3 The Brief Explanation of Hedonism Phenomenon
The history of hedonism started from the philosopher named Aristippus
(born c. 435 BC, Cyrene, Libya - died 366 BC, Athens) that build of the Cyrenaic
school of hedonism with his theory about the ethic of pleasure. He believed that
the good life rests upon the belief that among human values pleasure is the highest
and pain the lowest - and pain that should be avoided. His theory emphasizes that
human should dedicate their lives to the pursuit and enjoyment of pleasure, but he
also thinks that they should use good judgment and exercise self-control to temper
powerful human desires. His motto was, "I possess, I am not possessed”.
In the development of this theory, then the term of ‘hedonism’ nowadays
is used in several contexts, such as in moral philosophy that states a good life
should be a pleasurable life, or in psychology which stands for the theory that
pleasure seeking is a main motivator of human behavior. Flocker (2004:16) in the
Hedonism Handbook says, “Hedonism is considered a lifestyle in which pleasure
and happiness are the ultimate goals in life. A hedonist is one who seeks pleasure
and avoids pain above all else.” From these definitions, we can say that hedonism
deals with individual or society way of life which pleasure plays an important role
hedonism in reality has also been criticized as the negative enjoyment of life
causes by the pleasure seeking.
Thus, we can see through positive and negative perspective from hedonism
phenomena. From the positive view, we can say that hedonism make people better
in their self- evidence for seeking his own happiness as the pursuit of pleasure life.
But instead of that, hedonism in fact is also seen as the addiction pleasure that
lead into the risk of self-failure as the result of ‘over-consumption’ behavior.
Veenhoven (2003:5) states that hedonism manifests itself in two ways, in a
general mind-set and in specific behaviors. There are data about the relationship
with happiness of these two manifestations, both individual and societal levels. In
modern era, these hedonistic behaviors involves in some few examples of pleasure
consumption that already spread widely, such as alcohols, smoking, drugs, leisure,
and sex.
2.4 The Brief Explanation of Materialism Concept as Phenomenon
Materialism is a philosophical position that states everything is material,
or a state of matter. It means that philosophy of materialism holds the only thing
that exists is matter; that all things are composed of material and all phenomena
(including consciousness) are the result of material interactions. In other words,
matter is the only substance (Dictionary of social science, 2002: 299).
By the growth of human civilization, the theory of materialism has
developed widely into the terms that the society needs to fulfill in each period.
necessary. But as the development of the human condition in society, they also
require a lot of enjoyment necessities that must be fulfill. One type of necessities
for modern people now has developed into the prestige needs with money as their
material element. Lapham (1988:110) states “Under the rules of society that
cannot distinguish between profit and profiteering, between money defined as
necessity and money defined as luxury.” In sort, when money becomes the
parameter concept for them as the symbol of success and happiness, then as the
result they have to work hard to survive in the societies.
These concepts in fact not only bring the happiness for them, but become
an obsession because modern people started to think that money has a powerful
function. The essential of money even become a symbol of social class which can
determine the human status. Therefore, money is an important element for each
person nowadays because it becomes a principal material for them to fulfill all
their necessities in the society.
2.5 Jazz Age as American Modernization
From those descriptions above, we can connect the hedonism and
materialism terms with American society condition in This Side of Paradise novel
that appear in early 1920’s. The society, especially for the young generation that
live in the beginning of modernization decade after the World War I. The decade
which is later also known of the jazz age period.
The history of Jazz age in America actually was appeared after World War
opportunities and moved to the northern part of the United State, Such as New
Orleans. With them, they brought their culture movement and became a big
phenomenon in America after the World War I until the great depression
(1918-1928). In the development, jazz age often considered as one of characteristic in
‘Roaring Twenties’ which became flourished in 1920’s. During that time, there
were lots of sophisticated things for younger generation as the influenced of this
new pop culture period.
The reason why this era becomes one of the important changes for
American society because there is a new ‘characteristic’ in this young or new
generation that differs from the oldies. Fitzgerald (1999:258) states:
“Scarcely had the staider citizens of the republic caught their breaths when the wildest of all generations, the generation which had been adolescent during the confusion of the War, brusquely shouldered my contemporaries out of the way and danced into the limelight. This was the generations whose girls dramatized themselves as flappers, the generation that corrupted its elders and eventually overreached itself less through lack of morals than through lack of taste. A whole race going hedonistic, deciding on pleasure. The word jazz in its progress toward respectability has meant first sex, then dancing, then music.”
It can be concluded that there are lots of new things which happened in
this era, especially for American youth and their new moral development. The
new sensation of pleasure life as the effect of the War that leads this new
generation into the term called hedonism and materialism.
One author that influenced by this jazz momentum is F. Scott Fitzgerald.
stories, which Fitzgerald identified this era with the name ‘Jazz Age’. In his
works, Fitzgerald tries to describe his dazzling era with the conflict between moral
and material values of modern culture. We can found the reflection of his decade
with the new hedonism and materialism culture of that time in This Side of
Paradise novel, such as alcohols, flappers, free love, and wealth as indication of
social status and happiness. In this first novel which becomes popular at that time,
Fitzgerald galvanizes the story of modernization and the impacts to American
people as the result of the World War I.
2.6 Review of Related Studies
In doing this thesis, I consult and use the information data from some
thesis. The thesis which discusses the novel This Side of Paradise by F. Scott
Fitzgerald has not been discussed, so I use some thesis that discuss about the
social condition before and after the Jazz Age period. They are:
First, the thesis entitled ‘An Analysis of Social Reflection in America
Based on F. Scott Fitzgerald’s The Great Gatsby’, Sa’idah (2008). This thesis
portrays the social condition of American Society during the ‘Roaring Twenties’.
In this thesis, she used the extrinsic approach that deals with society and the
young generation at that time. It can be seen in this thesis that the American
dream represented by the major character Jay Gatsby, and how materialism and
immorality affected the people at that time. This thesis becomes one reference for
the writer to understand more about the society in ‘Roaring Twenties’ through the
Second, the thesis about ‘Materialism in novel The Great Gatsby by F.
Scott Fitzgerald’ by Nurul Nayla Azmi (2009). This thesis explains about the
materialism lifestyle in 1920’s generation that represent by the characters of the
novel. The main purpose of this analysis is to describe the impact of being to
materialistic in life, which happen to American society during the booming
period. Furthermore, this thesis also focuses the analysis of how material
greediness will cause the moral value problem for people that being influenced by
this concept. This thesis helps the writer to understand the materialism condition
in 1920’s generations and their problems in their modern period.
The next thesis is from Anggaraini (2007) entitled ‘American Social
Condition in the late of 19th Century found in Stephen Crane’s Maggie: A Girl of
the Street’. In this thesis, the writer relates the society and the problems in the late
19th century. She also focuses her analysis to the immigrant’s problem in America
caused by the Civil War, and industrialization that makes the poverty problem as
the result of urbanization for some immigrants. The findings of this thesis help the
writer to know more about American condition in late 19th or before the World
War I.
Thus, those references above give a lot of contribution to the topic of this
thesis, by applying the theory and technique to the data ‘Hedonism and
Materialism as negative effects of Social Changes in American Society Portrayed
CHAPTER III METHOD OF RESEARCH
3.1 Research Design
In analyzing the data of this thesis, I use qualitative research with
descriptive method. According to Wahyuni (2012: 2) “Qualitative research
methods were developed in the social sciences to enable researchers to study
social and cultural phenomena. It is related with data which is actually not in the
form of numbers.” Thus, I decided to use this qualitative research because it
enable researcher to study some phenomena, which include the hedonism and
materialism phenomena in the data of this thesis. In addition, it is exploratory
because it gains a deeper understanding of a person or group’s experience from
the data that define problem or question to be studied.
Wellek and Werren in Theory of Literature state that there are two
approaches in analyzing the literary works, which called intrinsic and extrinsic
approach. Intrinsic approach is a kind of approach which analyzes literary works
based on the text and the structural points in the literary works itself, such as
theme, plot, characters, setting, style, and point of view. While extrinsic approach
focuses to analyze the relationship between the content and the other discipline of
knowledge, such as history, sociology, psychology, biography, etc. In this thesis, I
use the extrinsic approach by relating the data with the hedonism and materialism
3.2 Data and Source of Data
The source of data is divided into two; they are the primary data and
secondary data.
1. The primary source of data is taken from the novel by F. Scott
Fitzgerald entitled This Side of Paradise. The novel was published in
1996 by Dover Publication, Inc and consists of 213 pages in
paperback. The primary data is taken from the words, phrase,
sentences, actions, and dialogue that can be seen from the quotations in
the novel related to the data analysis.
2. The secondary source of data is taken from the books, thesis, articles,
journal, and other sources that supported to the topic of hedonism and
materialism phenomena in American society in the early of 1920’s.
3.3 Data Collecting
In collecting the data for analyzing this thesis, I gathered references that
support the subject matter of the data and apply some steps. The steps of data
collecting are follows:
1. Reading the novel This Side of Paradise by F. Scott Fitzgerald several
2. Identifying the social changes related to the hedonism and materialism
aspects from the quotations in the novel.
3. Classifying the data quotations that supported the hedonism and
materialism topic.
4. Analyzing the data based on related books concerning to the subject
matter of hedonism and materialism in American society during the
Jazz Age.
3.4 Data Analysis
The data analysis is applied when all the data and information of the
subject matter have been collected and selected. Next, the data will be analyzed
through some steps. In here, I decided to apply descriptive method in analyzing
the data. According to Ratna (2004), “the descriptive analysis is a method which
describes facts which are followed by analysis. This method is not only to
describe the facts, but also to give the adequate understandings and explanations
toward the facts.”
Besides that, Denzin and Lincolin (in Wahyuni, 2012:12) also state that
qualitative research is descriptive. The data are in the form of words or pictures
rather than number. The written results of the research contain quotations from
the data to illustrate and substantiate the presentation.” The last step, I make a
The processes data analysis started by:
1. In the first step, I read the data of the novel This Side of Paradise by F.
Scott Fitzgerald.
2. Select the quotations text related to the subject matter of hedonism and
materialism phenomena in American society in the early of 1920’s.
3. Observe the data related to hedonism and materialism phenomena in
American society in the early of 1920’s.
4. Using the extrinsic approach to analyze the text which related to the
hedonism and materialism phenomena in American society found in the
novel This Side of Paradise.
5. Interpreted the analysis based on descriptive method.
The steps of the data analyzing above can be seen from these scheme:
Scheme I: The Steps of Analyzing Data
Researcher 1. Read the data of the novel This
Side of Paradise by F. Scott Fitzgerald.
2. Select text related with the subject matter of hedonism and materialism phenomena in American society in the early of 1920’s
4. Use Extrinsic Approach to analyze the text related to the hedonism and materialism aspects.
5. Interpret the analysis by descriptive method. 6. Conclusion
CHAPTER IV
ANALYSIS AND FINDINGS
In this chapter, the analysis of the topic will be explored deeply through
the example of the characters’ negative attitudes which have materialistic and
hedonistic personalities as the result of social changes. Their lifestyles that only
think of their own pleasure and material things as their indication of happiness,
proves that early 1920’s generations had already grown up with the negative
effects of social changes that are caused by World War I. Thus, It is clear that the
phenomena which Fitzgerald imitate in ‘This Side of Paradise’ are based on his
experience and realities that happen in that period, which can be connected as one
of the case study from the theory of sociology of literature.
4.1 Hedonism as the Negative Effect of Social Changes
Basically, hedonism is defined as a lifestyle in which pleasure and
happiness are the ultimate goals in life. This term in reality, becomes one of the
social phenomena that cannot be separated from our life. The example can be
seen from ‘Modern America’ transformation. As it was discussed before, the
starting point of hedonism in America actually occurred in the beginning of
1920’s or after World War I. As the negative effects that are caused by the war,
the new term such as (i) flappers, (ii) alcoholic lifestyle, and (iii) free love become
here are the analyses of flappers, alcoholic lifestyle and free love that Fitzgerald
portrayed through ‘This Side of Paradise’ based on the theory of sociology of
literature.
4.1.1 Flappers in ‘This Side of Paradise’
Flappers in early 1920’s or jazz age era can be identified as one of the
characteristics that defines the social changes. Moreover, flappers in that time can
be classified as a symbol of modern women that began to be more active to show
their personalities. It can be proved by many women that started to work out of
domestic area, some women increasingly went to college, or even their outspoken
personalities of their relationship. Besides they were more educated than women
in previous generations, flappers in early 1920’s were also considered as
"feminists new generation". This is proved by their development personalities
which began to define themselves, who they were and what they wanted.
In fashion, flappers also bring some cultural changes to American women
liberation. Thus, Flappers popular image was in their short hair, modest about
using makeup, and wore either short or brave skirts. But even though flappers’
culture succeeded in some way, many people still saw their mainstream behavior
as a sign of moral degradation in American culture. It can be proved by most of
women that consider smoking and drinking as the part of their freedom, even
flappers in that time also thought that having free sex are the common thing that
women in early 1920’s are not the truth women anymore, and flapper regarded as
one of the negative effects that caused by World War I.
Throughout the story of This Side of Paradise, we can see many
descriptions of flapper’s personalities from the major women characters named
Rosalind. Such as how their lifestyle and also their fashion related to the women
reflection in early 1920’s.
“ROSALIND: Honestly, there are only two costumes in the world that I really enjoy being in— (Combing her hair at the dressingtable.) One’s a hoop skirt with pantaloons; the other’s a one-piece bathing-suit. I’m quite charming in both of them.” (Fitzgerald, 1996: 127)
The quotation above become one prove that flappers really exist in early
1920’s, such as her enjoyment in using ‘open’ fashion style which can improve
her self-confident. Hoop skirt with pantaloons and one-piece bathing-suit that
Rosalind used also described the reflection of fashion items that flappers usually
use in their era. The other flappers’ personalities can be seen by Cecelia
description about Rosalind’s character in her quotation below.
“ALEC: Does Rosalind behave herself?
This quotation become one prove that Rosalind’s personalities are
described as the symbol of negative effect that caused by the World War I. Her
character as the representative of the type of women at that time that smoke, drank
and frequently kissed behavior becomes the proves of flappers’ reflection attitudes
in early 1920’s. Thus, this novel also described the general conditions of women
at that time through Amory’s character as a man, which actually gives us
explanation of how Amory feels towards woman in his era at that time. According
to him, girls who are having a wild behavior which they consider as their freedom
concept, however only give a starting point of women moral degradation to the
society. Thus, Amory thought is proved by his description of flappers condition in
early 1920’s that having hedonistic behaviors as their new freedom can be seen by
the quotation below.
“Amory saw girls doing things that even in his memory would have been impossible: eating three-o’clock, after-dance suppers in impossible cafes, talking of every side of life with an air half of earnestness, half of mockery, yet with a furtive excitement that Amory considered stood for a real moral let-down.” (Fitzgerald, 1996: 44)
This quotation gives clear explanation of social changes phenomena that
happen to America after World War I. The modernization that developed in the
society in some way actually gave many opportunities for women as the part of
those social changes. The problem is many people still think that these changes
also affect women in a negative way, which they consider that flappers in early
4.1.2 Alcoholic Lifestyle in ‘This Side of Paradise’
Basically, alcohol has been the integral part of American culture for a long
time, but the problem of alcoholic as their lifestyle has increasingly affected the
society after World War I. This symptom indeed could be seen by the new
generation’s thought in early 1920’s which consider alcohol as the pleasure of
their lifestyle. It can be proved by alcohol drinks that always been a part of any
occasion that they held, either in formal or informal party. However, these
symptoms as the result also indicated many problems of alcoholism addict to
American society later, which transformed them to have negative personality,
behavior, or even emotional state of stability. With the harmful of the alcoholic
addiction, government then decided to declare the eighteen amendments which
prohibit the sale, transportation and manufacture of alcohol in America. But even
though the sale of alcohol was illegal, alcoholic drinks were still widely available
at black market places. Beside that, many people also still kept private bars to
serve their guests, where they also got large quantities of alcohol from another
country which provides this commodity.
This side of Paradise is one of the example of literary work that describes
the condition of early 1920’s in America, including the alcoholism addicted of
young generation at that time. It can be seen by the character of Amory Blaine and
his friends, where they used to drink alcohol in their spare time, or any occasion
that they had. Thus, their alcoholic lifestyle can be proved trough this quotation
“Up to the flat,” suggested Phoebe. “We’ve got brandy and fizz— and everything’s slow down here to-night.” Amory considered quickly. He hadn’t been drinking, and decided that if he took no more, it would be reasonably discreet for him to trot along in the party.” (Fitzgerald, 1996: 82)
“Come on, Amory, stick ‘th us!” “Sick, are you?”
“Sit down a second!” “Take some water.”
“Take a little brandy ….” (Fitzgerald, 1996: 84)
This quotation become one prove that drinking alcohol already become the
lifestyle of American teenagers’ party. Even though Amory is not an alcoholic
drinker in the beginning, but the alcoholic lifestyle of his friends has also affected
him to become a drinker too. These conversations also emphasize how alcohols
had a big influence in early 1920’s to the society for becoming an alcoholic
addicted. Another description also can be seen from Kerry character where he
buys alcohols drinks like ‘brandy’ for accompanying his trips with his friends,
which give clear explanation of how alcohols have been the common drink for
American society in their spare time. The proved can be seen in this quotation.
“In one place Kerry took up a collection for the French War Orphans which netted a dollar and twenty cents, and with this they bought some brandy in case they caught cold in the night.” (Fitzgerald, 1996: 58)
In fact, this alcohol addicted in early 1920’s can be seen as the way of
become one product of the great changes that occurred after World War I, which
can be seen as the negative effect that caused by the war.
4.1.3 Free Love in ‘This Side of Paradise’
The beginning of 1920’s is generally marked with many of modernization
and social changes in American society. One of the examples was the radical
changes of modern freedom values for new generations, where they seemed to be
more open about neither their relationship nor sexuality to the public area. Before
this cultural shock, American society was taught that certain things like petting,
kissing, and free sex were seen as a wrong attitude. But this modern freedom
becomes a new behavior after invention of new technologies and mass media
which let these things become more public instead of being private. The example
can be seen from This Side of Paradise novel, where there are a lot of free love
reflections of American new generations in early 1920’s from the characters. We
can prove it from Amory description of the girls at that time where they seem can
be kissed easily and without hesitation.
“The same girl … deep in an atmosphere of jungle music and the questioning of moral codes. Amory found it rather fascinating to feel that any popular girl he met before eight he might quite possibly kiss before twelve.” (Fitzgerald, 1996: 44)
“HE: I’m afraid of you. I’m always afraid of a girl— until I’ve kissed her.
SHE: (Dreamily) I’ve kissed dozens of men. I suppose I’ll kiss dozens more.
HE: (Abstractedly) Yes, I suppose you could—like that.
SHE: Most people like the way I kiss.” (Fitzgerald, 1996: 129)
Amory conversation with Rosalind above shows the real conditions of
modern freedom that new generations had at that time. The statement from
Rosalind actually explains that the women in early 1920’s are braver to show what
they like to do, not like the oldies or previous women generation before world war
that hasn’t had their full freedom yet. Their statements also indicate the
relationship custom that the teenagers usually do in early 1920’s, where men and
women are not afraid to show their love desire. Another teenager’s new
phenomena also can be seen by Fitzgerald description of the wild behavior
through the characters of his novel, like petting and free sex which become one of
the effects for American culture.
“On the Triangle trip Amory had come into constant contact with that great current American phenomenon, the “petting party.” (Fitzgerald, 1996: 43)
“The problem of evil had solidified for Amory into the problem of sex. He was beginning to identify evil with the strong phallic worship in Brooke and the early Wells” (Fitzgerald, 1996: 211)
From the quotations above, Fitzgerald obviously indicates that petting
party and free sex are some of American young generations reflection in early
the war. Thus, it can be concluded that Even though there are lot of progress that
America got in their development such as in economic and business aspects; but
this new freedom of sophisticated behavior also become a symbol of American
generation moral collapse as the result of World War I. It is proved by Fitzgerald
expression through his novel, as it can be concluded from Amory conversation
with Rosalind about the kissing scene which already becomes a custom part of
lover interpretation at that time.
“ROSALIND: Listen! they’re playing “Kiss Me Again.” AMORY: (Softly—the battle lost) I love you.
ROSALIND: I love you—now. (They kiss.) AMORY: Oh, God, what have I done?
ROSALIND: Nothing. Oh, don’t talk. Kiss me again. AMORY: I don’t know why or how, but I love you— from the moment I saw you.
ROSALIND: (Her lips scarcely stirring) Don’t let me go—I don’t care who knows what I do.
AMORY: Say it!
ROSALIND: I love you—now. (They part.) Oh—I am very youthful, thank God—and rather beautiful, thank God—and happy, thank God, thank God—(She pauses and then, in an odd burst of prophecy, adds) Poor Amory!
(He kisses her again.)” (Fitzgerald, 1996: 137)
Thus, the conversation between Amory and Rosalind above give us clear
explanation of American teenager’s conditions in early 1920’s which consider
kissing is a common thing between men and women in their relationship. The
bravery conversation between Amory and Rosalind also give us some prove that
kissing is the way of how the teenagers in that time represent their desire and
“Now, Isabelle,” he interrupted, “you know it’s not that—even suppose it is. We’ve reached the stage where we either ought to kiss—or—or—nothing. It isn’t as if you were refusing on moral grounds.” (Fitzgerald, 1996: 69)
As it can be seen from the quotation above, it is very clear that Amory
Blaine and Rosalind are the example of new generation which have negative
social changes behavior in the society at that time. They definitely realize that the
moral perspective in their era already change, and kissing is become one part of it.
Their characters as Fitzgerald’s representative of teenagers in early 1920’s, proves
American young generation constancy to accept it as a new custom phenomena of
their era.
4.2 Materialism as the Negative Effect of Social Changes
Nowadays, Material things have become the common vision of standard
success values in the society. This phenomenon in fact has a big power to make
each individual has to work hard for attaining it, no matter how the way it is.
Materialism is defined as someone preoccupation that thought material is
the most important thing to survive in the society. One of the example can be seen
from American people in 1920’s which generally deal with the time of new
freedom and wealth power as the part of their lives. This lifestyle is considered by
some factors that causes by World War I which also intentionally affected the
people at that time which considered material items as the indication of attaining
their success.
4.2.1 Wealth as Indication of Social Status and Happiness in ‘This Side of Paradise’
The era of early 1920’s can be identified as the changes of America into
new modern country that shaped by many developments, especially in economic
activities. Thus, the example can be seen by many of new modernization at that
time which brings the society into a lot of prosperities. However as the result,
these changes also affected the societies’ lifestyle into a new term with wealth as
their indication of social status and happiness. This indication can be seen by the
portrayal of This Side of Paradise characters that describe the materialism power
to American people in the beginning of 1920’s or after World War I.
First, the description can be seen from the character of Rosalind’s mother,
Mrs. Connage that has an intention to marrying Rosalind with rich men for social
status purposes.
“MRS. CONNAGE: Rosalind, you’ve been a very expensive proposition.
ROSALIND: (Resignedly) Yes.
MRS. CONNAGE: And you know your father hasn’t what he once had.
ROSALIND: (Making a wry face) Oh, please don’t talk about money.
unless things change Cecelia won’t have the advantages you’ve had.” (Fitzgerald, 1996: 131)
The quotation above clearly explains the character of Mrs. Connage that
considers material things as her major concern in life. It is proved by her intention
of marrying Rosalind with rich men and use her as a ‘material commodity’, even
though without Rosalind willingness. She actually hopes that Rosalind can save
their house and position in the society by this way. Her greediness of wealth can
be seen through her conversations with Rosalind below, where she try to arrange
Rosalind date with rich men for her purposes.
“MRS. CONNAGE: So I ask you to please mind me in several things I’ve put down in my note-book. The first one is: don’t disappear with young men. There may be a time when it’s valuable, but at present I want you on the dance-floor where I can find you. There are certain men I want to have you meet and I don’t like finding you in some corner of the conservatory exchanging silliness with any one—or listening to it.
ROSALIND: (Sarcastically) Yes, listening to it is better.
MRS. CONNAGE: (Paying no attention) There are several bachelor friends of your father’s that I want you to meet to-night—youngish men.
ROSALIND: (Nodding wisely) About forty-five? MRS. CONNAGE: (Sharply) Why not?”
(Fitzgerald, 1996: 131)
Beside that, another example of Mrs. Connage greediness is also described
by her attitude that underestimate Amory because he is not as rich as the other
“MRS. CONNAGE: I haven’t met Mr. Blaine—but I don’t think you’ll care for him. He doesn’t sound like a money-maker.
ROSALIND: Mother, I never think about money. MRS. CONNAGE: You never keep it long enough to think about it.” (Fitzgerald, 1996: 132)
As it can be seen, material thing such as money has a lot of power for
American people in 1920’s. And Mrs. Connage is one of the examples which use
money to keep her family existence in the society. Indeed, this problem actually
occurs when human feel that they never get enough of what they got, and
expected to get more. In the result they will never feel enough and try to find
many ways to fulfill their material desire as what Mrs. Connage do.
“MRS. CONNAGE: Oh, I won’t interfere. You’ve already wasted over two months on a theoretical genius who hasn’t a penny to his name, but go ahead, waste your life on him. I won’t interfere.
ROSALIND: (As if repeating a tiresome lesson You know he has a little income—and you know he’s earning thirty-five dollars a week in advertising— MRS. CONNAGE: And it wouldn’t buy your clothes. (She pauses but ROSALIND makes no reply.) I have your best interests at heart when I tell you not to take a step you’ll spend your days regretting. It’s not as if your father could help you. Things have been hard for him lately and he’s an old man. You’d be dependent absolutely on a dreamer, a nice, well-born boy, but a dreamer—merely clever. (She implies that this quality in itself is rather vicious.)” ((Fitzgerald, 1996: 141)
This quotation clearly explains that Mrs. Connage is to afraid to face the
the result. That’s why Mrs. Connage insists to do anything that she can do to keep
her existence in the society, include by marrying her daughter with rich men.
Thus, the influence of material comfort in fact can also drastically transform
someone for having bad personality. It can be seen from the changes of Rosalind
personality because of the influences from her mother and the condition of
American society at that time, which only respect for someone with social status
then make her decided to marry Dawson Ryder rather than his boyfriend Amory.
“ROSALIND: Oh, Don’t ask me. You know I’m old in some ways-in others-well, I’m just a little girl. I like sunshine and pretty things and cheerfulness-and I dread responsibility. I don’t want to think about pots and kitchens and brooms. I want to worry whether my legs will get slick and brown when I swim in the summer.” (Fitzgerald, 1996: 145)
Rosalind decision to reject Amory because he cannot guarantee Rosalind
future gives a clear perception that material things have a really big control to
human lives. The power of wealth promises by Dawson Ryder that change
Rosalind ‘love’ into material happiness, indicates that wealth and social status has
an important role for American people happiness in early 1920’s. As the prove
can be seen trough the quotations below.
“AMORY: Rosalind, you’re playing with the idea of marrying Dawson Ryder.
ROSALIND: (After a pause) He’s been asking me to all day.
AMORY: Well, he’s got his nerve!
“ROSALIND: Oh—it is Dawson Ryder. He’s so reliable, I almost feel that he’d be a—a background. AMORY: You don’t love him.
ROSALIND: I know, but I respect him, and he’s a good man and a strong one.
AMORY: (Grudgingly) Yes—he’s that.
ROSALIND: Well—here’s one little thing. There was a little poor boy we met in Rye Tuesday afternoon—and, oh, Dawson took him on his lap and talked to him and promised him an Indian suit—and next day he remembered and bought it—and, oh, it was so sweet and I couldn’t help thinking he’d be so nice to—to” (Fitzgerald, 1996:143)
The quotation above exactly indicates Rosalind personalities that have
already changed because of material comfort that Dawson can give to her. It can
be proved by Dawson kindness which Rosalind described during her conversation
with Amory. In the same time, Amory also feels regret of his relationship failure
with Rosalind that only caused by social status and material things that he can’t
gain. It is proved by F. Scott Fitzgerald though the quotation below that portrays
the human attitude against of moral values to get the material success. Such as,
Rosalind that in the end decided to marry Dawson because of material comforts,
not because she loves him. Amory finally concluded that Rosalind already
becomes one part of business subject, and she has been controlled by wealth as
her happiness values.
subject of labyrinths which were, after all, the business of life.”(Fitzgerald, 1996: 211)
It is obviously ironic when wealth as the indication of social status and
happiness become something that all human want to get, no matter how the way
is. Thus, Mrs. Connage and Rosalind’s character that use material things to
survive in the society gives us some reflection of how human thinks that material
can give a lot of satisfaction for them. Many people in the reality think those
material things are the symbol of their success and happiness. However, since
human only think of how to get material for happiness in life, they totally forgot
that they had already been controlled by it, which later only give negative impacts
4.3 Findings
After analyzed the data of ‘This Side of Paradise’, then there are some
findings that can be found related to hedonism and materialism phenomena of
American society in early 1920’s.
1. Hedonism Phenomena in ‘This Side of Paradise’
1.1. Flappers
1.2. Alcoholic Lifestyle
1.3. Free Love
2. Materialism Phenomena in ‘This Side of Paradise’
2.1.Wealth as Indication of Social Status and Happiness
Thus, those two phenomena above clearly explain the social realities that
happened in American society after World War I. Whereas the portrayal can be
seen through the story and characters of ‘This Side of Paradise’ which having
CHAPTER V
CONCLUSIONS AND SUGGESTIONS
5.1 Conclusion
Having analyzed the data completely, it can be concluded that This Side of
Paradise was Fitzgerald first novel that illustrates the social phenomena of
American society in early 1920’s. From the analysis, there are two phenomena
that can be found as the negative effects of social changes which occurred after
World War I, such as hedonism and materialism. Thus, the impact can be seen by
the characters descriptions which imitate the real condition of American society in
early 1920’s as having hedonistic and materialistic behavior.
From the findings, the reflection of hedonistic behavior that Fitzgerald
portrayed are flappers which regarded as ‘American modern women’ symbols;
alcoholics drinks that become a part of American new lifestyle; even the new
concept of free love custom for teenagers.
Beside that, materialistic behavior also becomes another point that
Fitzgerald describes properly in the novel, such as wealth as standard value of life
in America at that time, beside material comfort as their indication of social status
and happiness.
As seen in the portrayal of the characters, it can be proved that the impact
of hedonism and materialism actually had already affected American society in
early 1920’s, especially for the teenagers which also called ‘new generation’.
that also affects the moral values of the society. The interesting fact is that, these
hedonistic and materialistic behaviors actually are still exist nowadays and can be
found from our own surroundings.
5.2 Suggestions
This side of Paradise actually was Fitzgerald first novel that made him
having a success careers in 1920’s era, with the theme of social changes in
American society at that time which occurred as the effect of World War I. That’s
why this novel is really interesting to be discussed beside his ‘Great Gatsby’ and
other works. There are a lot of things that we can observe from this novel, such as
the social changes in 1920’s which I decided to analyze, or even the other aspects
like characters psychological problems and symbols for those who also interest to
analyze this novel.
Finally, I realize that the discussion in this thesis is still far for being
perfect. So, I really hope that the next students who are interested in this topic will
gain the deeper analysis about the information of American history related to the
novel. Then, we can get more details and discover some other ideas that can
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