The Great-or-Not-so-Great Gatsby

Paper Summary:

In this article, the writer notes that almost without exception, literary critics point to Fitzgerald's 1925 novel, "The Great Gatsby" as a brilliant contribution and one of the key books of the 20th century. However, the writer points out that a few other brave souls have had the courage to venture the opinion that it was not a good book and was certainly not deserving of the accolades heaped upon it over the years. Further, the writer notes that other observers suggest the author drank too much and too often and that, as a result, Fitzgerald failed to achieve the level of respect he deserved. To determine who is right, this paper provides an overview of F. Scott Fitzgerald's work as well as what the admirers and the critics have to say. A summary of the research and salient findings are provided in the conclusion.

Outline:
Introduction
Review and Discussion
Conclusion

From the Paper:

"However, by 1937 he had come managed to become a scriptwriter in Hollywood where he met and fell in love with Sheilah Graham, a well-known Hollywood gossip columnist. Fitzgerald lived the rest of his life with Graham, except for occasional binges when he became bitter and violent. Mizener notes that on occasion, Fitzgerald would visit Zelda or his daughter Scottie (who entered Vassar College in 1938.)"
"According to Bruccoli's biography, Fitzgerald experienced problems being accorded a full measure of respect during his early career because his reputation as a drinker reinforced the perception of him as an irresponsible writer."

Sample of Sources Used:

• Bewley, Marius. (Spring 1954). "Scott Fitzgerald's Criticism of America." The Sewanee Review, LXII in Lockridge.
• Bruccoli, Matthew J. (1994). "Brief Life of Fitzgerald," courtesy of Charles Scribner's Sons; originally appeared in F. Scott Fitzgerald: A Life in Letters, ed. Bruccoli with the assistance of Judith Baughman. New York: Scribners, 1994. [Online]. Available: http://www.sc.edu/fitzgerald/biography.html.
• Donaldson, Scott. (Spring 2001). "Possessions in The Great Gatsby." Southern Review, Vol. 37, Issue 2, p.187.
• Fitzgerald, F. Scott. The Great Gatsby. Ed. Matthew J. Bruccoli. New York: Macmillan, 1992.
• Hanzo, Thomas A. (Winter 1956-57). "The Theme and the Narrator of The Great Gatsby." Modern Fiction Studies, II in Lockridge.

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