F Scott Fitzgerald Influences

Often considered one of the greatest American writers of the twentieth century, F. Scott Fitzgerald rose to fame as a young, decadent writer who captured the essence of wild economic prosperity and cultural pleasures of the 1920’s known as the Jazz Age. His works are heavily influenced by his everyday life that was plagued by effusive relationships and vicarious self-indulgence. His time spent at Princeton University and in the Army, marriage to eccentric socialite Zelda, and long-time battle with alcoholism all contributed to the vigorous nature of his novels and short stories. Fitzgerald’s life ended relatively early and in far from the spry state of its beginning. Fitzgerald entered Princeton University in September of 1913, contributing to many university publications with his early short stories and humor columns. His focus was spent on his literary improvement, resulting in the decline of his scholastic achievement. A ledger was kept throughout his life, involving detailed summaries of every month and his yearly conclusive thoughts, similar to a diary. His description of his first year as “a year of work and vivid experience” ( )

He subsequently moved to New York City to earn more money to win over Zelda in an attempt to marry her. He worked odd jobs over the following two years, and his first novel This Side of Paradise finally sent him to fame at the age of 24. His new bride Zelda was often described as fearless and daring by the couple’s contemporaries; attributes that Fitzgerald took inspiration from throughout their marriage. He often used verbatim excerpts from her personal diary entries in his published works. Prominent female characters like Daisy Buchanan from his magnum opus The Great Gatsby and Nicole Diver from Tender Is The Night embody sentiments surrounding marriage, sexuality, and wealth that Fitzgerald saw in his