Jay Gatsby Downfall

Many can agree that The Great Gatsby is an American classic but not many can see where the character Jay Gatsby comes from. Fitzgerald was considered a “lost” writer during his time because he moved to Paris. Fitzgerald moved to another country because he saw through the corrupt game of obtaining the American Dream, something he wanted to show through his character, Jay Gatsby. However, he also put some of his own characteristics in Mr. Gatsby. F. Scott Fitzgerald wanted to create a story that was almost personal but was completely fictional. Fitzgerald was born into a financially struggling family in 1896, just like Gatsby. The two also joined the army in 1917. While enlisted, Fitzgerald met his wife, Zelda Sayre, who was a rich southern belle, like Daisy’s character. In the novel, Gatsby fakes his wealth because he knows Daisy will not want anything to do with him if he is not socially equal to her. This event was inspired by Zelda waiting to marry Fitzgerald until he could financially support her. When the Fitzgerald’s were finally married, they began to live a luxurious lifestyle. F. Scott Fitzgerald experienced and wrote about the downfalls of this lifestyle.

The Fitzgerald’s were no strangers to spending outrageous amounts of money, which caused F. Scott Fitzgerald to write extra work, like short stories, so they could continue this lifestyle. These extra jobs did not help his alcohol addiction, especially since his wife was speculated to be having an affair in Europe. These themes are found in Gatsby’s parties, he is a bootlegger (even though he does not drink) and spends tons of money to throw big and outlandish parties to attract Daisy, who starts having an affair with Gatsby in the story. The way Fitzgerald exposed these matters made him become the leading author of the