F. SCOTT FITZGERALD AND THE 1920’SPresented by: Miss Davis

FITZGERALD’S LIFE

1896-1940 Francis Scott Key

Fitzgerald (Yes, he was named after Francis Scott Key)

Moved often as a child

His father never held a job long

Was not a good student

Attended Princeton 1913

Left Princeton to enlist in the army WWI

Met Zelda Sayre… this is where the trouble begins!

FITZGERALD’S LIFE CONTINUED

The Great Gatsby (1925)

Alcoholism Zelda’s fault? “Wh****g” short

stories to “make a buck”?

Published many works but life was too tumultuous

Died 1940; massive heart attack

THE ROARIN’ 20’S!!!

5 Stations on the 1920’s

Each Station teaches you something about the culture and/or the time period

Keep in mind, this decade begins only 2 years after WWI

“A Scathing Indictment of the Bewildered Children of Pleasure....Riding the Gilded Juggernaut of Jazz & Gin”

IT’S ALL IN THE NAMEPresented by: Miss Davis

ALTERNATE TITLES FOR THE GREAT GATSBY

Gatsby Among Ash-Heaps

and Millionaires Trimalchio Trimalchio in West

Egg On the Road to West

Egg

Under the Red, White, and Blue

Gold-Hatted Gatsby The High-Bouncing

Lover

SOME MAKE SENSE, BUT WHY TRIMALCHIO?

Trimalchio = character in ancient Roman novel by Petronius, The Satyricon

Specifically, a section entitled “The Banquet of Trimalchio”

(Cena Trimalchionis)

TRIMALCHIO CONTINUED

Trimalchio attained power and wealth through hard work and perseverance (link to the American Dream?)

Famous for his lavish dinner parties with many people and exotic dishes

Sought to impress his guests (link to Nouveau Riche?)

Is this sounding at all like Jay Gatz???

SO WHY THE GREAT GATSBY?

Fitzgerald’s wife, Zelda Fitzgerald, and editor, Maxwell Perkins, both preferred it that way

Fitzgerald attempted twice to change the title during printing, but it was too late

Said of the title, “it is only fair, rather bad than good.”