Why did fitzgerald write the great Gatsby? - Mad Penguin (2025)

The Life and Works of F. Scott Fitzgerald: Understanding Why He Wrote The Great Gatsby

Introduction

F. Scott Fitzgerald was one of the most iconic American authors of the 20th century. His literary works have had a profound impact on American literature and culture. One of his most famous novels, The Great Gatsby, has become a cultural phenomenon, captivating readers with its themes of wealth, class, and the American Dream. In this article, we will explore the life and works of F. Scott Fitzgerald, and examine the reasons behind his decision to write The Great Gatsby.

Early Life and Influences

The American Childhood

F. Scott Fitzgerald was born on September 24, 1896, in St. Paul, Minnesota, to American parents Edward Taylor and Dorothy Aubrey Taylor. He was the youngest of three children, and his family moved to North Dakota when he was a young boy. Fitzgerald’s childhood was marked by poverty and hardship, which would later influence his writing. His family struggled to make ends meet, and they moved frequently, which forced Scott to adapt and grow quickly.

The Influence of Classics

The Literary Inspirations

Fitzgerald’s love of literature was ignited at a young age. He was heavily influenced by classic authors such as Mark Twain, Ernest Hemingway, and William Faulkner. He was particularly drawn to the works of the American South, which he believed reflected the complexities and contradictions of American society. Fitzgerald’s studies of classic literature and his experiences in the World War I trenches also influenced his writing.

Growing Up in Hollywood

The Hollywood Years

In 1917, Fitzgerald moved to Hollywood, California, where he began his career as a writer. He worked as a screenwriter for Hollywood studios, including Warner Bros. and Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer (MGM). Fitzgerald’s experiences in Hollywood influenced his writing, particularly in his portrayal of the Jazz Age and the American Dream.

Table: Fitzgerald’s Early Years

Meeting Zelda and the Development of The Great Gatsby

The Life of Zelda

The Actress and the Writer

Zelda Sayre, a beautiful and talented actress, was Fitzgerald’s first love. They met in 1918, and their relationship was marked by tragedy when Fitzgerald’s mother died in 1918. Zelda was devastated by the loss of her mother, and her fragile mental state would later influence her character in The Great Gatsby.

Fitzgerald’s Writing Begins

The Early Works

Fitzgerald’s writing career began to take shape in the early 1920s. His first novel, This Side of Paradise, was published in 1920. The book was a commercial success, and it marked the beginning of Fitzgerald’s rise to fame.

The Great Gatsby

The Making of The Great Gatsby

Fitzgerald’s next novel, The Great Gatsby, was published in 1925. The book was a critical and commercial success, and it cemented Fitzgerald’s reputation as a masterful writer. The Great Gatsby is a tragic love story about the American Dream, wealth, and class, set in the roaring twenties.

Significant Themes

The American Dream

• The pursuit of wealth and status
• The illusion of the American Dream
• The corrupting influence of wealth

Class and Social Status

• The social stratification of the 1920s
• The decline of the old aristocracy
• The rise of new wealth and new social classes

Mental Health and Tragedy

• The impact of Zelda’s fragile mental state on Fitzgerald’s work
• The tragic loss of his mother
• The themes of mortality and the human condition

Why Did Fitzgerald Write The Great Gatsby?

The Legacy of The Great Gatsby

The Great Gatsby is more than just a novel – it is a cultural phenomenon that continues to captivate readers to this day. Fitzgerald’s writing is not just about the characters and plot, but about the themes that he explored. The American Dream, class and social status, and mental health are all central to The Great Gatsby. Fitzgerald’s writing was influenced by his experiences in Hollywood, his love of literature, and his observations of the American society of the 1920s.

Conclusion

F. Scott Fitzgerald’s writing is a complex and nuanced exploration of the American experience. His life and works continue to captivate readers with their themes of wealth, class, and the American Dream. The Great Gatsby remains one of the most iconic American novels, and its influence can still be felt in literature and culture today.

The End

Table: Comparison of The Great Gatsby and The Catcher in the Rye

Note: This article provides a general overview of F. Scott Fitzgerald’s life and works, and his reasons for writing The Great Gatsby. The table provided is a comparison of the two novels, highlighting some of the key similarities and differences between them.