Study Notes on Scott and Zelda Fitzgerald

Scott and Zelda Fitzgerald: Iconic figures of the Roaring Twenties.
- Known as the King and Queen of the Jazz Age.
Their lives symbolized glamour but ended in personal tragedy.

Born on September 24, 1896, in St. Paul, Minnesota.
- Named after Francis Scott Key, the author of "The Star-Spangled Banner."
Family Background
- Father: Edward Fitzgerald, a businessman who failed in his career.
- His failure deeply affected Scott, motivating him to avoid a similar fate.
- Mother: Molly Fitzgerald, came from an affluent family, which provided some stability.
Education and Early Talents
- Attended prestigious prep schools with a sense of being an outsider.
- Discovered talent for writing poetry, stories, and plays early on.
- Used writing to gain acceptance among peers, finding joy and attention through storytelling.

Enrolled in Princeton in 1913.
- Dreamed of being a prominent figure on campus.
Initial Pursuits at Princeton
- Tried out for football but was too small.
- Joined literary magazines and the Triangle Club, writing musicals and taking leading roles.
Academic Challenges and Relationships
- Struggled with academics and faced academic probation.
- Infatuation with debutante Ginevra King ended when her father disapproved of her dating a poor boy.
- Ginevra represented the unattainable golden girl in his later works.

Entered World War I in 1917, serving as a second lieutenant.
Disappointed by lack of combat experience after the war ended with his regiment set to deploy.
Met Zelda Sayre in Montgomery, Alabama, and fell in love with her spirited nature and beauty.
- Zelda was a captivating young woman known for flouting conventions.
Engagement and Financial Struggles
- Proposed to Zelda but their engagement was broken off due to financial instability.
- Moved back to St. Paul and focused on writing a novel to win back Zelda.

Completed his first novel, "This Side of Paradise," which was published on March 26, 1920.
- Captured the spirit and struggles of his generation, addressing contemporary issues like romantic pursuits and societal expectations.
Massive success; sold out by the end of the first day.
Married Zelda on April 3, 1920, at St. Patrick's Cathedral, marking the start of their public life as a couple.

Their marriage flourished during the Roaring Twenties.
- Both engaged in a lifestyle of extravagance, parties, and social notoriety.
Parenthood
- Welcomed their daughter, Frances Scott Fitzgerald (nicknamed Scotty), on October 26, 1921.
- Despite chaotic lifestyles, they showered her with love.
Scott's Writing Journey
- Produced numerous short stories for magazines to support their lavish living.
- Published "The Beautiful and Damned" in 1922, depicting a couple's self-destructive rise and fall.
European Move
- In 1924, the couple moved to Europe seeking inspiration for Scott's next great novel, "The Great Gatsby."

Published in 1925, set during the Jazz Age on Long Island.
- Centered on Jay Gatsby's pursuit of the beautiful Daisy Buchanan, reflecting Scott's themes of love and the elusiveness of the American Dream.
Initial reception was mixed, disappointing Fitzgerald.

Formed a complicated friendship with Hemingway.
- Their relationship marked by envy and competition; both recognized each other's literary prowess but differ in style and reception.

The stock market crash on October 29, 1929, led to personal and financial turmoil.
Zelda's mental health deteriorated; she sought to be a ballet dancer and was diagnosed with schizophrenia.
Fitzgerald's alcoholism intensified during these years, affecting his writing and relationships.

Attempted to reclaim his status through screenwriting in Hollywood during the late 1930s.
- His work often revised heavily by producers; struggled to maintain his artistic voice.
Relationship with Sheila Graham began in Hollywood, marked by its ups and downs as Fitzgerald battled alcoholism.

Developed a new novel, "The Last Tycoon," drawing inspiration from his experiences in Hollywood.
Suffered a heart attack in November 1939, which prompted him to stop drinking temporarily.
Died of a massive heart attack on December 21, 1940, at the young age of 44.

Posthumously critiqued; Fitzgerald's works gained recognition in the 1950s.
- His novels, especially "The Great Gatsby," are now considered classics.
Commemorated on his 100th birthday with stamps and statues in St. Paul, celebrating his contributions to American literature.
His understanding of the intersection of personal life and artistic expression positioned him as a significant figure in literary history.
Acknowledged for the depth of his work reflecting American society and the unattainable dreams.