Findings Conclusion Dean of Faculty of Cultural Studies

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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 hedonistic and materialistic behaviors. Universitas Sumatera Utara 39 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’. Thus, these social phenomena happen because of rapid changes after World War I Universitas Sumatera Utara 40 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