F. Scott Fitzgerald’s, “The Great Gatsby“, is an incredibly famed novel. Being so, many thoughts and opinions are sprung about its origin and its connection to its author’s life. It is important to notice that there are many similarities between the author, F. Scott Fitzgerald, and his work, “The Great Gatsby.” Most importantly, the story takes place in the 1920’s, the time period which Fitzgerald lived through. Just as it is the most crucial part of the setting in Gatsby, it is also a crucial time in Fitzgerald’s life. Furthermore, it is critical to evaluate the life of F. Scott Fitzgerald to ultimately realize the huge influence of his own life on his novel.
In the novel, Fitzgerald put pieces of himself into two of the most prominent characters in the book, Nick and Gatsby. To start, Fitzgerald gave Nick similar background that matched his. They were both from Minnesota. “My family have been prominent, well-to-do people in this Middle Western city for three generations.” (p.3) From Minnesota, both Nick and Fitzgerald’s family’s sent them to ivy league schools. Fitzgerald attended Princeton University and Nick attended Yale University. “I was rather literary in college- one year I wrote a series of very solemn and obvious editorials for the Yale News.” (p.4)
With Gatsby, they both joined the military and both fell in love at the location they were stationed. Gatsby fell in love with Daisy Buchanan and Fitzgerald fell in love with a woman by the name of Zelda. Throughout the novel, Gatsby constantly tries to impress Daisy, mainly by throwing parties. “Anyhow, he gives large parties.” (p.49) This quote is from Jordan Baker as she explains how Gatsby normally throws parties. Zelda wanted a rich and successful man, so Fitzgerald did the same as Gatsby.
Another connection can be made to Tom Buchanan. Having played football in high school, Fitzgerald tried out for the team when he arrived at Princeton. Even though he was cut, which was the complete opposite of what Tom accomplished in football, he did share the sport of football with him. In the novel, it says, “Her husband, among various physical accomplishments, had been one of the most powerful ends that ever played football at New Haven.” (p.6)
Lastly, even though Fitzgerald came from a rather wealthy family, it still was not enough compared to most of his peers. Such as, many of his fellow college students and his lover Zelda. This is a connection to Nick in the novel. Nick also comes from a rather wealthy family, however compared to Nick’s newfound friends, he is not of the same class. This is a highlight of the novel, specifically as Nick being the narrator and being able to see both sides of life (the high and middle class). In the novel, Nick says, “I was within and without, simultaneously enchanted and repelled by the inexhaustible variety of life.” (p.35) This quote embodies both Nick’s and Fitzgerald’s lives. Being in the “middle” of everything, mostly when it came to class and status.
Furthermore, this is just another example of the huge influence of Fitzgerald’s life on his novel. This entire novel is filled with real-life connections from Fitzgerald’s life that he implemented into his story. This is why it is critical to evaluate the life of F. Scott Fitzgerald to ultimately realize the huge influence of his own life on his novel.
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