The Life of F. Scott Fitzgerald – One of The Most Famous Modernist Writers

The word modern may be thought of something that is the most current form of something for example a new make or model of a phone, which is correct, but when talking about modernism the word, “modern” or “modernism” means something completely different. Modernism is a time period from the late nineteenth to mid-twentieth century where artistic favor and persuasion transitioned into pessimism in social decay as well as a decline of faith in God, government and human goodness. It was a trend during the modern era to go against the traditions of life which influenced many artworks during this era. Many times artists were also persuaded or based their work around how they feel, and that may be influenced by factors such as culture and history. During the nineteenth and twentieth centuries, many things took place that influenced the artwork produced during this era. The most prominent historical event that lead to more than just millions of people dying was WWI. WWI was a war fought against all countries that initially started with the assasination of Archduke Ferdinand, which started conflict between Austria-Hungary and Serbia. Since these two countries had alliances with other countries, groups were formed and it was an eye for an eye. The United States entered the war three years later because Germany, after sinking the Lusanthium, continued to declare unrestricted submarine warfare and found out about a telegram sent out by Germany to Mexico stating that if they helped Germany defeat the United states they would help get back stolen land. In the end, Germany was defeated and forced into a contract that ultimately lead to WWII. After World War I the world became more pessimistic; the world started to lose faith in God, government and human justness in general. Even though other countries received money from Germany for war reparations, worldwide there was a depression making life harder for everyone. Everyone was losing their jobs money was real tight resulting in many deaths which resulted to many artists artworks to appear more gloomy and depressing than usual. Due to everything going around the artists popular genres specifically in literature were: fiction, non-fiction, drama, and poetry. One of the most memorable authors during this time was Francis Key Scott Fitzgerald. 

Francis Key Scott Fitzgerald, better know as F. Scott Fitzgerald, was born on September 24, 1896 to a Christian Irish family and lived a comfortable life. It wasn’t until Scott attended Princeton University that he started to write literature. Sometime after attending Princeton he met Zelda Sayre, his soon to be wife, while he was serving in the United States army. Fitzgerald was in love with Zelda and wanted to marry her, but her parents didn’t approve until they saw one of his most famous works The Side of Paradise. The Side of Paradise rewarded Fitzgerald with fame, and fortune which swooned Zelda of her doubts of marrying him and quickly made up her mind. It wasn’t until Fitzgerald moved to the French Riviera that he’d finally reach the peak of his career with the publishing of The Great Gatsby on April 10, 1925, seven years after World War I. 

The Great Gatsby is about a guy, Jay Gatsby, who organizes monstrous many parties and is really rich, but grew up poor. Gatsby is in love with this girl named Daisy, but couldn’t marry her because he didn’t have any money. In the meantime Gatsby goes away to serve for the country and Daisy marries someone named Tom Buchanan after World War I, but almost reconsiders due to a letter received by Gatsby. Gatsby had organized a party to confront Tom about how his wife never loved him, but that backfired and Tom reveals that Gatsby made his money by organizing crime and selling illegal liquor. Daisy doesn’t like this and decides to stay with Tom. Tom declares that Gatsby take his wife home, but Gatsby lets her drive home where she hits and kills someone. Gatsby being the gentleman he’s always been towards Daisy covers up for her which eventually leads to him being assassinated by the woman who got hit husband. You could tell that Fitzgerald was somewhat influenced by his own life when writing the book as well as World War I events when he mentions that Jay Gatsby was initially poor and that he was in love with Daisy, but didn’t have enough money to be with her at the time. The Great Gatsby became a classic because of how it told the American dream of coming from nothing to something. This inspired the depressed poor audience of the depression because it gave them hope in the situations they were dealing with. 

After publishing the Great Gatsby F. Scott Fitzgerald’s life was on a decline. Fitzgerald became known as a playboy and an alcoholic who spent his days drinking. Fitzgerald was suffering financially. As Fitzgerald’s previous works were earning less and less money he started to write short stories which didn’t work, so he ended up taking out loans. In an attempt to fix his situation Fitzgerald decided to move to Hollywood and become a screenwriter and make some quick and easy money. Continuing with his drinking, Fitzgerald eventually dies of a heart attack on December 21, 1940 due to a heart attack. Although Fitzgerald was a drunk who ruined his life off of mistakes that could’ve been avoided, he goes down to be one of the most important authors during the modernism period because of one piece that changed it all.