In the context of F. Scott Fitzgerald’s The Great Gatsby, a bootlegger refers to someone who illegally manufactures, distributes, or sells alcohol. This activity became rampant during the Prohibition era in the United States (1920-1933), when the production, sale, and transportation of alcoholic beverages were outlawed. Jay Gatsby, the novel’s protagonist, amasses his wealth through this illicit trade.
The presence of individuals engaged in illicit alcohol distribution highlights the moral decay and social upheaval of the Roaring Twenties. Bootlegging provided a lucrative, albeit dangerous, path to wealth, enabling some to circumvent established social hierarchies. This illegal activity fueled corruption and organized crime, underscoring the hypocrisy and disregard for the law prevalent during the era. It offered a means for newly rich individuals like Gatsby to attain social status despite their unconventional sources of income.
