Great Gatsby, The
About the Story
Born in Saint Paul, Minnesota, Francis Scott Key Fitzgerald (1896-1940) was named after his distant cousin, Francis Scott Key, who wrote the lyrics for “The Star-Spangled Banner.” Fitzgerald’s third novel, The Great Gatsby (1925), is considered his magnum opus. It depicts the decadence of the Jazz Age, the hollow elitism of the upper classes, entrenched class disparities, and the illusory nature of the American Dream. The character of Daisy was inspired by Fitzgerald’s romance with Chicago socialite Ginevra King. King’s family discouraged the courtship and her father told Fitzgerald, “Poor boys shouldn’t think of marrying rich girls.” After returning home from WWI, Fitzgerald married Zelda Sayre, a southern debutante. In 1921, Zelda gave birth to Frances Scott “Scottie” Fitzgerald. As Zelda came out of anesthesia after giving birth she remarked, “I hope it’s beautiful and a fool―a beautiful little fool.” The character of Jay Gatsby is thought to be inspired by Fitzgerald’s wealthy bootlegging neighbor, Max Gerlach, who threw extravagant parties and used the expression, “old sport.” Fitzgerald died at 44 of a heart attack. He and Zelda Sayre are buried at St. Mary’s Cemetery in Rockville, Maryland. The headstone is inscribed with the final sentence of The Great Gatsby, “So we beat on, boats against the current, borne back ceaselessly into the past.” Fitzgerald wrote six novels, a play, and 164 short stories.
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