Bootlegger
Prohibition Era
Prohibition lasted from 1920 to 1933. The manufacture, transportation, import, export, and sale of alcoholic beverages were restricted or illegal. Many people continues to drink through Prohibition because the actual consumption of alcohol was not illegal. Prohibition was intended to protect women and children from domestic abuse by drunken husbands. Female bootleggers were uncommon because of this.
The journal of Mary Scott
May 8th, 1924
Elizabeth and I have been frequenting speakeasies recently. It’s been a thrilling experience. Elizabeth introduced me to the idea and I’ve become absolutely infatuated with it. I get an amazing thrill walking up to the door and whispering the secret password. Stepping into those speakeasies is like stepping into another life. Everyone just wants to have a good time and let loose of life’s stresses. I never really drank before Prohibition because I was a little too young and Mother always said it wasn’t very ladylike. But now, I think drinking is so glamorous. Elizabeth and I feel so exclusive and beautiful. There a plenty of men to choose from-maybe I’ll find my future husband there… until next time.
May 26th, 1924
Last night we met the most magnificent man. His name was John and he was as charming as anything. John said I was a beautiful girl and he made a very intriguing offer. He is in the business of supplying white mule and he promised Elizabeth and I a large sum of money to join him. It seems risky but maybe that’s what I like about it. Elizabeth was a little more wary. You see, drinking alcohol was never illegal, even with Prohibition. It says right in the 18th Amendment that only the manufacture, transportation, import, export, and sale of alcohol is illegal. So Elizabeth and I were never really breaking the law going to speakeasies. But John’s offer is a completely different story. I haven’t the slightest idea of how they sneak the stuff into New York. It seems crazy now but who knows? Maybe I’ll have great fun gallivanting around with John. I need to take a few nights sleep to think about it more. So, I told him that I would think about it and we are scheduled to meet up again next Thursday night. I’ll write about what happens afterwards.
June 12th, 1924
I haven’t written as soon as I hoped, but I have been busy these last couple of days. I agreed to come along with John for “a day in the life”. I actually learned quite a bit, it was like being in school again. John explained the different ways that alcohol was acquired. It could be imported from other countries, homemade from scratch or modified over the counter legal liquor. I had a great time looking through all the nooks and crannies the speakeasies had to hide the alcohol in a pinch. I’m thrilled to soon be a part of John’s operation. He promised that I would be invited to the next party of his.
June 29th, 1924
I just got back from my first party. John and I met up an hour before the guests arrived and provided them with alcohol. He showed me all the best places to hide it-in boots and garters seemed to be the most simple. I got such a thrill walking through the streets knowing that I was committing a crime. If it was legal just a few years ago, how bad can it be? We stayed at the party just long enough to get paid. The money was the cherry on top. It was so easy bringing a few bottles to a party yet we got paid so well. I could get used to this kind of life.
July 17th, 1924
John and I have grown closer and closer the more we work together. I still get a rush from the possibility of getting caught. We tend not to do as many parties as speakeasies. John taught me how they make moonshine in the Midwest. It’s a lot more work than getting the booze straight of the ship but with how things have been lately, it might come down to moonshine. The Coast Guard has been very thorough recently, so imported alcohol might be a little harder to get. Hopefully they’ll ease up soon-it’s so much easier that way.
August 3rd, 1924
There was an accident. John got into a little scuffle about the price of some alcohol and it escalated quickly. John wants to skip town. He thinks we have enough money to head out West and test out the waters there. I don’t know if I should go with him. I may be in love but I don’t know if John’s love is worth the risk. I’ve only known the man for four months. The old Mary would have been up for the adventure but now I’m scared. The police in New York have really been cracking down on Prohibition laws. I lie awake at night wondering when they will come for me. The thrill of alcohol has transformed into anxeity. I think I should let John go and start all over here. I’ll find me a nice man that I can settle down with. John is not that man.
Elizabeth and I have been frequenting speakeasies recently. It’s been a thrilling experience. Elizabeth introduced me to the idea and I’ve become absolutely infatuated with it. I get an amazing thrill walking up to the door and whispering the secret password. Stepping into those speakeasies is like stepping into another life. Everyone just wants to have a good time and let loose of life’s stresses. I never really drank before Prohibition because I was a little too young and Mother always said it wasn’t very ladylike. But now, I think drinking is so glamorous. Elizabeth and I feel so exclusive and beautiful. There a plenty of men to choose from-maybe I’ll find my future husband there… until next time.
May 26th, 1924
Last night we met the most magnificent man. His name was John and he was as charming as anything. John said I was a beautiful girl and he made a very intriguing offer. He is in the business of supplying white mule and he promised Elizabeth and I a large sum of money to join him. It seems risky but maybe that’s what I like about it. Elizabeth was a little more wary. You see, drinking alcohol was never illegal, even with Prohibition. It says right in the 18th Amendment that only the manufacture, transportation, import, export, and sale of alcohol is illegal. So Elizabeth and I were never really breaking the law going to speakeasies. But John’s offer is a completely different story. I haven’t the slightest idea of how they sneak the stuff into New York. It seems crazy now but who knows? Maybe I’ll have great fun gallivanting around with John. I need to take a few nights sleep to think about it more. So, I told him that I would think about it and we are scheduled to meet up again next Thursday night. I’ll write about what happens afterwards.
June 12th, 1924
I haven’t written as soon as I hoped, but I have been busy these last couple of days. I agreed to come along with John for “a day in the life”. I actually learned quite a bit, it was like being in school again. John explained the different ways that alcohol was acquired. It could be imported from other countries, homemade from scratch or modified over the counter legal liquor. I had a great time looking through all the nooks and crannies the speakeasies had to hide the alcohol in a pinch. I’m thrilled to soon be a part of John’s operation. He promised that I would be invited to the next party of his.
June 29th, 1924
I just got back from my first party. John and I met up an hour before the guests arrived and provided them with alcohol. He showed me all the best places to hide it-in boots and garters seemed to be the most simple. I got such a thrill walking through the streets knowing that I was committing a crime. If it was legal just a few years ago, how bad can it be? We stayed at the party just long enough to get paid. The money was the cherry on top. It was so easy bringing a few bottles to a party yet we got paid so well. I could get used to this kind of life.
July 17th, 1924
John and I have grown closer and closer the more we work together. I still get a rush from the possibility of getting caught. We tend not to do as many parties as speakeasies. John taught me how they make moonshine in the Midwest. It’s a lot more work than getting the booze straight of the ship but with how things have been lately, it might come down to moonshine. The Coast Guard has been very thorough recently, so imported alcohol might be a little harder to get. Hopefully they’ll ease up soon-it’s so much easier that way.
August 3rd, 1924
There was an accident. John got into a little scuffle about the price of some alcohol and it escalated quickly. John wants to skip town. He thinks we have enough money to head out West and test out the waters there. I don’t know if I should go with him. I may be in love but I don’t know if John’s love is worth the risk. I’ve only known the man for four months. The old Mary would have been up for the adventure but now I’m scared. The police in New York have really been cracking down on Prohibition laws. I lie awake at night wondering when they will come for me. The thrill of alcohol has transformed into anxeity. I think I should let John go and start all over here. I’ll find me a nice man that I can settle down with. John is not that man.
Connection To The Great Gatsby
Although Scott Fitzferald Never confirmed the rumors about Gatsby, he left a very strong suggestion of his real occupation. It was this quote that inspired us to include the bootlegger as a character.
""She's not leaving me!" Tom's words suddenly leaned down over Gatsby. "Certianly not for a common swindler who'd have to steal the ring he put on her finger."
"I won't stand for this!" cried Daisy. "Oh please let's get out."
“Who are you, anyhow?” broke out Tom. “You’re one of that bunch that hangs around with Meyer Wolfshiem—that much I happen to know. I’ve made a little investigation into your affairs—and I’ll carry it further to-morrow.”
“You can suit yourself about that, old sport.” said Gatsby steadily.
“I found out what your ‘drug stores’ were.” He turned to us and spoke rapidly. “He and this Wolfshiem bought up a lot of side-street drug-stores here and in Chicago and sold grain alcohol over the counter. That’s one of his little stunts. I picked him for a bootlegger the first time I saw him, and I wasn’t far wrong.” "(Fitzgerald 133)
I chose to write a journal as Mary Scott because I thought it would emulate the real thoughts of a bootlegger. A bootlegger couldn't talk about their problems freely without great risk. So a journal is the perfect place for them to unwind from the lies and manipulation of their daily lives. I also think that the journal is similar to Gatsby's life. He was very mysterious on the outside but once a character got close to him, he opened up about his real thoughts and feelings. This project has helped me understand the Gatsby more because I got to research all that wasn't included of Gatsby's life. Gatsby could have been bootlegging the entire story, without any of the other characters knowledge. It let me see another side of Gatsby.
""She's not leaving me!" Tom's words suddenly leaned down over Gatsby. "Certianly not for a common swindler who'd have to steal the ring he put on her finger."
"I won't stand for this!" cried Daisy. "Oh please let's get out."
“Who are you, anyhow?” broke out Tom. “You’re one of that bunch that hangs around with Meyer Wolfshiem—that much I happen to know. I’ve made a little investigation into your affairs—and I’ll carry it further to-morrow.”
“You can suit yourself about that, old sport.” said Gatsby steadily.
“I found out what your ‘drug stores’ were.” He turned to us and spoke rapidly. “He and this Wolfshiem bought up a lot of side-street drug-stores here and in Chicago and sold grain alcohol over the counter. That’s one of his little stunts. I picked him for a bootlegger the first time I saw him, and I wasn’t far wrong.” "(Fitzgerald 133)
I chose to write a journal as Mary Scott because I thought it would emulate the real thoughts of a bootlegger. A bootlegger couldn't talk about their problems freely without great risk. So a journal is the perfect place for them to unwind from the lies and manipulation of their daily lives. I also think that the journal is similar to Gatsby's life. He was very mysterious on the outside but once a character got close to him, he opened up about his real thoughts and feelings. This project has helped me understand the Gatsby more because I got to research all that wasn't included of Gatsby's life. Gatsby could have been bootlegging the entire story, without any of the other characters knowledge. It let me see another side of Gatsby.