The Plastic Age

The Plastic Age (1924) by Percy Marks is a novel that offers a candid portrayal of the life and struggles of young adults navigating the social, moral, and emotional landscapes of the Roaring Twenties. Set against the backdrop of a rapidly changing society in post-World War I America, the novel captures the spirit of an era marked by modernity, materialism, and cultural upheaval. It is a coming-of-age story that explores the impact of these changes on the lives of college students and their pursuit of identity, love, and personal fulfillment. The protagonist, Alfred Grove, is a freshman at an unnamed American university who is eager to embrace the vibrant, exciting world of college life. Through Alfred's eyes, readers experience the complexities of student life, from the pressures of academics to the temptations of parties, casual relationships, and the pervasive influence of social status. The novel is a social critique, addressing the moral confusion and existential questioning that defined the post-war generation, who were often seen as disillusioned, self-indulgent, and seeking meaning in a world that had been forever altered by the horrors of war.Alfred is portrayed as an idealistic, ambitious young man, caught between the pull of societal expectations and the allure of personal freedom. As he grows older and becomes more immersed in the carefree pleasures of youth, including a romantic relationship with a fellow student, his world begins to unravel. The pressures of conformity, the shallow pursuit of status, and the conflict between intellectual aspirations and personal desires complicate his journey to self-realization.The novel presents a stark view of the materialism, hedonism, and moral relativism that characterized the Jazz Age. Alfred’s internal struggles and the external forces acting on him reflect the tension between the idealism of youth and the harsh realities of a rapidly transforming world. The Plastic Age is a critique of the disillusionment that young people experienced as they tried to reconcile their desires for success, pleasure, and love with the emptiness of contemporary values.