The Great Gatsby

F. Scott Fitzgerald, born in 1896 in St. Paul, Minnesota, is widely regarded as one of America's greatest writers of the 20th century. His works, primarily set during the Jazz Age of the 1920s, explore themes of decadence, love, and the American Dream. Fitzgerald’s most celebrated novel, The Great Gatsby (1925), remains a defining work of American literature, illustrating the disillusionment of the era through the tragic story of Jay Gatsby and his unrequited love for Daisy Buchanan. Fitzgerald’s writing career was marked by his acute observations of social class, wealth, and ambition, often blending personal experience with his deep understanding of societal change. Although The Great Gatsby was not initially recognized as a masterpiece, it has since become a cornerstone of high school curricula and literary analysis. Fitzgerald's earlier novels, including This Side of Paradise (1920) and The Beautiful and Damned (1922), reflect his own struggles with identity and the pressures of fame. Despite his literary success, Fitzgerald's personal life was tumultuous. He married Zelda Sayre in 1920, and their relationship was marked by both passion and instability. Fitzgerald battled alcoholism and financial difficulties, which led to his early death in 1940. Today, his works continue to inspire generations of readers, making Fitzgerald a pivotal figure in the landscape of American literature.