Tales of the Jazz Age

"Tales of the Jazz Age" by F. Scott Fitzgerald is a set of stories from the 1920s, capturing a time of big changes in society and culture. The stories show off the fancy lives and quests for identity that were common in that time period. Through different characters and situations, Fitzgerald examines ideas of love, wanting more, and trying to find happiness in a fast-changing America. The first story, "The Jelly-Bean," tells about Jim Powell, a young man in the South who doesn't do much with his life. Jim feels like he doesn't fit in with the richer kids in his town. Even though he used to be from a well-known family, he now struggles with feeling not good enough, especially when he thinks about going to a party. Fitzgerald creates a clear image of Jim's inner battles with how he sees himself and the love he can't have, as he thinks about his place in the world and the people around him, setting the scene for a story about the difficulties of fitting in and wanting something more.