F. Scott Fitzgerald

Definition

F. Scott Fitzgerald was an American author known for his vivid depiction of the Jazz Age, capturing the complexities of life in the 1920s through his literary works. He is best recognized for his novel 'The Great Gatsby,' which explores themes of wealth, love, and the American Dream, making significant contributions to the Lost Generation and expatriate literature.

5 Must Know Facts For Your Next Test

1. Fitzgerald was born on September 24, 1896, in St. Paul, Minnesota, and became one of the most celebrated authors of the 20th century.
2. His writing style is characterized by lyrical prose and a focus on characters' inner lives, often revealing the moral decay beneath glamorous surfaces.
3. Fitzgerald struggled with personal issues, including alcoholism and financial instability, which influenced his writing and themes of despair and longing.
4. He was part of a vibrant literary community in Paris during the 1920s, interacting with other prominent expatriates such as Ernest Hemingway and Gertrude Stein.
5. Fitzgerald's work gained immense popularity posthumously, particularly 'The Great Gatsby,' which is now considered a classic of American literature.

Review Questions

• How did F. Scott Fitzgerald's experiences as part of the Lost Generation influence his writing style and themes?
  • F. Scott Fitzgerald's experiences as a member of the Lost Generation profoundly shaped his writing style and thematic focus. The disillusionment stemming from World War I led him to explore themes of moral decay, societal excess, and the fragility of dreams in his work. His lyrical prose often reflects an inner turmoil and longing for connection amidst a superficial social landscape, capturing the essence of a generation grappling with its identity.
• Analyze how 'The Great Gatsby' reflects the social dynamics of the 1920s and its critique of the American Dream.
  • 'The Great Gatsby' serves as both a portrayal of 1920s social dynamics and a critique of the American Dream. Through characters like Jay Gatsby and Daisy Buchanan, Fitzgerald illustrates the era's opulence and moral corruption. The novel critiques the idea that wealth equates to happiness by showing how Gatsby's pursuit of riches leads to tragedy and unfulfilled desires, highlighting the emptiness behind the era's glamour.
• Evaluate Fitzgerald's impact on modern literature and how his portrayal of expatriate life continues to resonate with contemporary audiences.
  • F. Scott Fitzgerald's impact on modern literature is profound, as his exploration of themes like identity, loss, and cultural critique continues to resonate with contemporary audiences. His portrayal of expatriate life captures a sense of alienation that many still feel today in an increasingly globalized world. By examining personal struggles against a backdrop of societal expectations, Fitzgerald’s work remains relevant, inspiring new generations of writers to reflect on their own experiences within their cultural contexts.

Related terms

The Great Gatsby: A novel by F. Scott Fitzgerald that tells the story of Jay Gatsby's obsession with Daisy Buchanan, reflecting the disillusionment of the American Dream in the 1920s.

Lost Generation: A term used to describe a group of American writers who were disillusioned by World War I and found solace in expatriate life, often critiquing American society in their works.

Expatriate Literature: Literature produced by writers who choose to live outside their native country, often reflecting themes of displacement, identity, and cultural critique.