F SCOTT FITZGERALD AND THE 1920S FITZGERALDS LIFE
- Slides: 8
F. SCOTT FITZGERALD AND THE 1920’S
FITZGERALD’S LIFE 1896 -1940 Francis Scott Key Fitzgerald (Yes, he was named after Francis Scott Key) Moved often as a child His father never held a job long Was not a good student Attended Princeton 1913 Left Princeton to enlist in the army WWI Met Zelda Sayre… this is where the trouble begins!
FITZGERALD’S LIFE CONTINUED The Great Gatsby (1925) Alcoholism Zelda’s fault? “Wh****g” short stories to “make a buck”? Published many works but life was too tumultuous Died 1940; massive heart attack
IT’S ALL IN THE NAME
ALTERNATE TITLES FOR THE GREAT GATSBY Gatsby Among Ash-Heaps and Millionaires Trimalchio in West Egg On the Road to West Egg Under the Red, White, and Blue Gold-Hatted Gatsby The High-Bouncing Lover
SOME MAKE SENSE, BUT WHYTRIMALCHIO? Trimalchio = character in ancient Roman novel by Petronius, The Satyricon Specifically, a section entitled “The Banquet of Trimalchio” (Cena Trimalchionis)
TRIMALCHIO CONTINUED Trimalchio attained power and wealth through hard work and perseverance (link to the American Dream? ) Famous for his lavish dinner parties with many people and exotic dishes Sought to impress his guests (link to Nouveau Riche? ) Is this sounding at all like Jay Gatz? ? ?
SO WHY THE GREAT GATSBY? Fitzgerald’s wife, Zelda Fitzgerald, and editor, Maxwell Perkins, both preferred it that way Fitzgerald attempted twice to change the title during printing, but it was too late Said of the title, “it is only fair, rather bad than good. ”
