Scott Fitzgerald blends wit and cynicism in his satirical portraits of the swinging Jazz Age. The stories capture a glittering whirl of dancing, laughter and champagne, and the gods that are worshipped are glamour, wealth and social status. `The Bowl` isa clear metaphor for this cold and brittle works, as a beautiful woman is made to suffer for the cruelty of her youth, her punishment ironically taking the shape of a cut - glass punch - bowl. The amusing `Bernice Bobs Her Hair` depicts a dull girl striving at all coasts to enter society, where the competition and jealousy wrought between women leads to bitter vengeance and a quirky twist in the tale. However, the powerful and destructive influence of money is never more stunningly revealed than in Fitzgerald`s most famous and unusual story, `The Diamond as Big as the Ritz