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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: Emphatically My dear boy, the war is over …….
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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
1920’s. It also explains how badly the social behavior that caused by the effects of
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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 feelings as a lover.
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“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
