10 Historical Figures You Might Find At A Gatsby Party

By Tom Mankin /

8. Dorothy Parker - Writer And Poet

Dorothy Parker was a woman who perfectly encapsulated the lifestyle and mindset of 1920€™s New York City. She was a writer and poet best known for her sharp wit, satirical style and love of alcohol. Parker was also a keen supporter of women€™s rights, believing in equal pay and an end to conservative attitudes towards sex. Parker led a troubled life, falling in love with a married man and suffering a string of unsuccessful relationships. She attempted suicide multiple times and became increasingly dependant on alcohol.

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Parties to the magnitude of Gatsby€™s would have been unable to keep her away and she would likely have been found drowning her sorrows with a strong martini about which she wrote: €œI like to have a martini, two at the very most. After three I€™m under the table, after four I€™m under my host." Although as nobody ever saw Gatsby at his parties the final part of Parker€™s poem was unlikely to have come to fruition.

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