Skip to main content

What social influences shaped F. Scott Fitzgerald's writings?

“It was an age of miracles, it was an age of art, it was an age of excess, and it was an age of satire.” -- Echoes of the Jazz Age


F. Scott Fitzgerald could be called the King of the Jazz Age, and his wife, Zelda, was a queen among the flappers. During the 1920s, the Fitzgeralds lived the high life in New York City. During a time of prohibition and progress, Fitzgerald was...

“It was an age of miracles, it was an age of art, it was an age of excess, and it was an age of satire.” -- Echoes of the Jazz Age


F. Scott Fitzgerald could be called the King of the Jazz Age, and his wife, Zelda, was a queen among the flappers. During the 1920s, the Fitzgeralds lived the high life in New York City. During a time of prohibition and progress, Fitzgerald was met with many contradictions, such as debauchery vs. temperance, women’s liberation vs. religious suppression, and the dichotomy between social classes. In The Great Gatsby, the title character, Jay Gatsby, a man who rarely drinks, was the opposite of the alcoholic Fitzgerald. However, coming from a middle class background, Fitzgerald faced many of the same obstacles that Jay Gatsby did when making a name for himself in the world of wealth he found himself in as an adult. For example, Fitzgerald fought to gain acceptance among his society wife's family and only did so once his writing career took off. This struggle is often reflected in his work. We as readers can see Fitzgerald's disdain and reverence for the wealthy. At this time in America, many people were climbing into the upper classes due to success in the stock market. New money, which is something that Fitzgerald also discusses in his work, became a catch phrase, indicating families recently brought into wealth. Opportunity knocked for many Americans, and Fitzgerald loved taking note of all of the changes going on around him. The author had much material to write about the high life as he continued to spend a great deal of time among the wealthy. Eventually, F. Scott and Zelda began to move among the expatriates of France during the 1920s. This artists’ community abroad, where the isolationist ideals developed in America following World War I were rejected, was his home for years before he returned to America. These are just some of the influences reflected in Fitzgerald's work. 

Labels:

Comments

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

What is the meaning of "juggling fiends" in Macbeth?

Macbeth is beginning to realize that the three witches have been deceiving him since he first encountered them. Like jugglers, they have kept changing their forecasts in order create confusion. This is particularly apparent when the Second Apparition they raise in Act IV,   Scene 1 tells him that no man of woman born can overcome him in hand-to-hand battle--and then Macbeth finds himself confronted by the one man he has been avoiding out of a... Macbeth is beginning to realize that the three witches have been deceiving him since he first encountered them. Like jugglers, they have kept changing their forecasts in order create confusion. This is particularly apparent when the Second Apparition they raise in Act IV,   Scene 1 tells him that no man of woman born can overcome him in hand-to-hand battle--and then Macbeth finds himself confronted by the one man he has been avoiding out of a sense of guilt, and that man tells him: Despair thy charm. And let the angel whom thou still hast serve...
Post a Comment
Read more

Discuss movements that were inspired by the Civil Rights Movement and list one success for each group.

African-Americans contributed in a very big way during World War II. These contributions were demonstrated at home and on the battlefield. After the war, African-Americans properly felt it was time for them to achieve equality with white Americans. During the 1950's, the modern Civil Rights Movement was born and it had a number of successes (integration of the military and Brown vs. Board of Education as examples.) This success inspired other activists to demand change... African-Americans contributed in a very big way during World War II. These contributions were demonstrated at home and on the battlefield. After the war, African-Americans properly felt it was time for them to achieve equality with white Americans. During the 1950's, the modern Civil Rights Movement was born and it had a number of successes (integration of the military and Brown vs. Board of Education as examples.) This success inspired other activists to demand change for their agendas. Two examples of moveme...
Post a Comment
Read more

In Martel's Life of Pi, how does writing a diary help Pi Patel build on his leadership skills?

At the end of chapter 73, Pi first divulges the fact that he had started a diary after about a week alone at sea. Pi claims that he wrote about "practical stuff" (208) such as what he caught for food, foreseeable problems and solutions, Richard Parker, and reflections about specific events that occurred. In a sense, Pi is the captain of his ship; therefore, he must take responsibility for himself and his crew. He can... At the end of chapter 73, Pi first divulges the fact that he had started a diary after about a week alone at sea. Pi claims that he wrote about "practical stuff" (208) such as what he caught for food, foreseeable problems and solutions, Richard Parker, and reflections about specific events that occurred. In a sense, Pi is the captain of his ship; therefore, he must take responsibility for himself and his crew. He can do this by writing down events, problems and solutions, and reflections to look back on when confronted with repeated problems. It can ...
Post a Comment
Read more