F. Scott Fitzgerald's 'The Ice Palace'

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“The Ice Palace”, a short story written by F. Scott Fitzgerald, is a parallel to modern love and romance. “The Ice Palace” by F. Scott Fitzgerald tells a love story between Sally Carrol, a southerner, and Harry Bellamy, a northerner, and the flaws surrounding their relationship. The story goes in depth with materialistic ideas of romance, and the inconvenient truth regarding social incompatibility using Sally Carrol as an example. Sally Carrol, Fitzgerald’s “The Ice Palace” focuses on materialism in romance, cultural incompatibility, and disenchantment. The story introduces Sally in her natural state, looking out the window of her fifty-two year old home in the quiet town of Tarleston. It is made apparent that Sally has grown weary of her …show more content…

Sally realizes that her fondness of Harry and living in the big city was born of delusion, and lack of contentment. By the end of this short story she faces the harsh reality that northern life is not suited for everyone, and perhaps her relationship with Harry was not meant to be. Some could argue that Fitzgerald’s outlook on modern romance is cynical, especially after his depiction in “The Ice Palace”. This story instills the idea that love is full of delusion, and lovers should “stay in their lane” rather than reach for something out of their comfort zone. Therefore, “The Ice Palace” deals with materialism in romance, cultural incompatibility, and disenchantment. This story highlights the dangers of falling in love with someone for the wrong reasons, and how people should love what lies within the soul, rather than the material. The lesson in this short story is relevant in modern culture, for it reminds the reader to fall in love for the right reasons, and to look past flashy cars, big buildings, and fancy clothes, for they are of no emotional value, and will only lead to emptiness and

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