How Did Fitzgerald's Life Influence The Great Gatsby

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“American writer F. Scott Fitzgerald rose to prominence as a chronicler of the Jazz Age” (History Staff). F. Scott Fitzgerald was one of the twentieth century’s greatest writers who changed America through his influential and inspirational literature. Fitzgerald’s first novel, This Side of Paradise, gave him instant fame and success. However, other novels, such as Tender is the Night, were considered to be a disappointment. “From his rise to prominence as a promising young novelist, to his free-wheeling lifestyle in Europe, to his death in obscurity and re-evaluation by critics, his life is known to aspiring writers worldwide, and is a source of equal parts inspiration and sympathy” (Definitive Touch). Fitzgerald lived a life full of hardships and adversities. His personal life consisted of an ongoing alcohol addiction and his struggles grew worse as he watched his wife Zelda deteriorate with mental illness. The American Icon turned to writing short stories, magazine …show more content…

Documenting the rise and fall of the enigmatic Jay Gatsby during the fast-living era of Prohibition in New York City, The Great Gatsby was acclaimed by critics as a truly great American work. T. S. Eliot wrote to Scott, calling Gatsby “the first step that American fiction has taken since Henry James”. However, sales were dim, with many copies remaining unsold (Definitive Touch). Constant globe-trotting around the world took its toll on the Fitzgeralds. Unfortunately for Scott, his fame and success was not enough to pay for his extravagant taste and lifestyle. F. Scott Fitzgerald’s passion for writing quickly turned into making ends meet. Scott and Zelda owned several homes together, within the United States and also throughout other countries, like France. Towards the end of their lives, Zelda’s medical bills became a financial burden, but Fitzgerald continued to write in order to keep the bills

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