F. Scott Fitzgerald: The Genius Behind The Great Gatsby

Summary

This video delves into the tumultuous life of F. Scott Fitzgerald, highlighting his struggles with alcoholism, his wife Zelda's mental health, and the financial ruin caused by the 1929 stock market crash. Despite commercial failures and personal breakdowns, Fitzgerald found brief stability in Hollywood before dying at 44. His literary legacy was revived when *The Great Gatsby* became a hit among soldiers during World War II, eventually being recognized as one of the greatest novels of all time. The video contrasts Fitzgerald's tragic life with the iconic image of Jay Gatsby, underscoring his brilliant yet troubled existence.

Takeaways

• 😀 Fitzgerald’s early success with *This Side of Paradise* quickly faded, as his later works, like *Tender is the Night*, failed commercially.
• 😀 Zelda Fitzgerald's mental health struggles were a significant strain on their relationship, and she spent much of her life in psychiatric institutions.
• 😀 The Wall Street Crash of 1929 exacerbated Fitzgerald’s financial troubles, as he had borrowed heavily against future book earnings.
• 😀 Zelda wrote *Save Me the Waltz*, but the book was poorly received, and Fitzgerald was upset about her using their personal experiences as material.
• 😀 Fitzgerald's struggles with alcoholism and personal tragedy led to a significant decline in his career and personal life.
• 😀 After a brief and unsuccessful period of depression, Fitzgerald moved to Hollywood in the 1930s, where he worked as a screenwriter and began to recover.
• 😀 His stint at MGM was stable, though it was low-level, uncredited work. It helped him pay off debts and regain his health.
• 😀 Fitzgerald’s *Tender is the Night* (1934) was a commercial failure, further diminishing his reputation in the literary world.
• 😀 After a suicide attempt or accidental gunshot in 1939, Fitzgerald decided to change his life and committed to a more stable routine.
• 😀 The release of *The Great Gatsby* during World War II saw it become popular among soldiers, eventually leading to a posthumous revival of Fitzgerald's reputation.
• 😀 By the 1960s, *The Great Gatsby* was reevaluated as one of the greatest American novels, ensuring Fitzgerald's literary legacy despite his early death.

Q & A

What were some of the personal struggles F. Scott Fitzgerald faced in his life?

F. Scott Fitzgerald struggled with alcoholism, which affected his health and his writing. He also faced significant financial difficulties, especially after the Wall Street crash of 1929. His wife, Zelda, suffered from mental health issues, which added further strain to their lives.

How did the Wall Street crash of 1929 impact Fitzgerald and Zelda?

The Wall Street crash exposed Fitzgerald's financial troubles, particularly the large amount of money he had borrowed against future books that he was unable to write. This, combined with Zelda's mounting medical bills, forced the couple to abandon Europe and return to the United States in 1931.

What happened to Zelda Fitzgerald's writing career?

Zelda Fitzgerald wrote a novel titled *Save Me the Waltz*, which was based on her own experiences suffering a breakdown. However, the book received harsh reviews, and Fitzgerald was upset, accusing her of using material from their shared life. Her novel was commercially unsuccessful, much like his later works.

Why was *Tender Is the Night* considered a commercial failure?

*Tender Is the Night* was published in 1934, during the Great Depression. At the time, readers were not interested in books about the problems of the wealthy, which led to its poor reception. Despite this, the book is now considered one of Fitzgerald's best works.

How did Fitzgerald's life change after his 40th birthday?

After his 40th birthday, Fitzgerald hit a low point, contemplating suicide. However, he decided to change his life, leaving behind his past struggles and moving to California. There, he worked as a screenwriter, which provided him with financial stability and a way to begin recovering from alcoholism.

What role did Hollywood play in Fitzgerald's recovery?

Fitzgerald found steady work in Hollywood as a screenwriter at MGM. Although the work was not glamorous and often uncredited, it allowed him to pay off debts and Zelda's medical bills. The structured routine of screenwriting helped him stay sober and gave him a sense of stability.

How did Fitzgerald's writing change while working in Hollywood?

While working as a screenwriter, Fitzgerald began to write again, but not the type of work he had done before. His screenwriting experience helped him regain some of his creative focus, and he started working on a new novel, *The Last Tycoon*, which was shaping up to be one of his best works.

What happened to *The Last Tycoon*?

Fitzgerald was almost halfway through *The Last Tycoon* when he suffered a massive heart attack in 1940. He died before finishing the book, leaving the world to wonder how the novel might have been received if completed.

How was Fitzgerald remembered immediately after his death?

When Fitzgerald died in 1940, he was largely forgotten as a writer. Obituaries remembered him as a one-hit wonder, known mainly for *This Side of Paradise* and *The Great Gatsby*. His name had faded in comparison to contemporaries like Ernest Hemingway.

What role did World War II play in the revival of Fitzgerald's work?

During World War II, the U.S. Army distributed paperback editions of books to soldiers. *The Great Gatsby* became one of the most popular books among the soldiers, leading to a resurgence of interest in Fitzgerald's work. By the 1960s, *The Great Gatsby* was reevaluated as a masterpiece.

What is the legacy of F. Scott Fitzgerald today?

Today, Fitzgerald's legacy is largely defined by *The Great Gatsby*, which is considered one of the greatest American novels. Although his personal struggles and the complexity of his life are often overshadowed by the novel's fame, his work continues to be celebrated for its insight into the Jazz Age and the American Dream.