F. Scott Fitzgerald's Exploration of Society and Morality in His Works

This essay delves into the works of F. Scott Fitzgerald, examining his portrayal of societal paradoxes and the complexities of the American Dream. The analysis centers on 'The Great Gatsby' and 'The Beautiful and the Damned,' highlighting Fitzgerald's exploration of characters grappling with moral dilemmas and societal pressures. The essay discusses how Fitzgerald's protagonists, like Anthony Patch and Gatsby, embody the conflicting emotions and aspirations of their time, reflecting the transition and challenges of the early twentieth century. It explores themes of wealth, romance, and the changing societal landscape, emphasizing Fitzgerald's critical perspective on the values and disillusionment of the era. The essay further investigates how Fitzgerald's characters reflect his own experiences and concerns, providing a deeper understanding of his literary contributions.

RUNNING HEAD: F. SCOTT FITZGERALD
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1F, SCOTT. FITZGERALD
F. Scott Fitzgerald was an iconoclast in both his personal as well as his professional life. His
uniqueness can be witnessed in the plots and characters of his fictions. Being a product of time,
Fitzgerald used to deliver his own thoughts and experiences through the narratives of his stories.
Perhaps, he was one of those rare writers, if not the only one to portray the paradoxes of the
transition that the United States was facing during the first three decades of the twentieth century
(Fitzgerald, Francis Scott). In capturing these paradoxes he often portrayed a hero having a
glamorous life, yet looking at the conflicting emotions. The paradox perhaps was the paradox
within the author or perhaps the paradox of the country which influenced every individual.
Taking for instance, Fitzgerald’s concern for the changing of society in the Beautiful and
the damned, we can see that Anthony Patch believes in a romantic conception of life (Fitzgerald,
F. Scott.). However, with the progress of the Novel this attitude was eventually nullified as a
result of the societal pressures. He justifies his ways of life and his doing nothing in the light of
the futile meaning of life.
The Great Gatsby is a chronicle of the rise and fall of a dashing hero. In the course of the
novel, it shares a sense of awareness (.Fitzgerald) The moral crises of Nick, yet his love for
aesthetics and his dreams could be seen even beyond the character. Money and Romance had
been the main topics in the writing of Fitzgerald since he wants to focus particularly on the
conflicting sides that the generation faced during the transition years .

2F, SCOTT. FITZGERALD
Reference List:
Fitzgerald, F. Scott. The beautiful and damned. Oxford Paperbacks, 1998.
Fitzgerald, Francis Scott. The Cambridge Companion to F. Scott Fitzgerald. Cambridge
University Press, 2002.
Fitzgerald, F. Scott. The great gatsby. Broadview Press, 2007.