The Great Gatsby by F. Scott Fitzgerald is first published in New York City, by Charles Scribner's Sons.

The Great Gatsby, a quintessential American novel published in 1925, stands as a crowning achievement by the celebrated American writer F. Scott Fitzgerald. This literary masterwork transports readers to the opulent yet morally ambiguous world of the Jazz Age, specifically to the vibrant North Shore of Long Island, near New York City. Through the eyes of its first-person narrator, the observant and often morally reflective Nick Carraway, the story intricately unfolds, chronicling his complex interactions with the enigmatic, self-made millionaire, Jay Gatsby. At the heart of Gatsby's lavish lifestyle and his grand, almost theatrical existence, lies a profound and ultimately tragic obsession: his unwavering desire to rekindle a lost romance with his former lover, the beautiful and elusive Daisy Buchanan.

Fitzgerald drew deeply from his own life and experiences to craft this enduring tale. The seeds of Gatsby's passionate pursuit were sown in Fitzgerald's youthful romance with Chicago socialite Ginevra King, a relationship that left a lasting impression on him. Further inspiration came from the boisterous and extravagant parties he frequently attended on Long Island’s North Shore in 1922, a period synonymous with the roaring decadence he so vividly portrayed. After relocating to the French Riviera, a hub for American expatriate artists and writers, Fitzgerald completed a rough draft of the novel in 1924. He then entrusted it to his renowned editor, Maxwell Perkins, who famously persuaded Fitzgerald to undertake extensive revisions over the subsequent winter. While Fitzgerald ultimately expressed satisfaction with the refined text, he harbored a degree of ambivalence regarding the book's title, even considering several alternatives. However, the captivating cover art created by painter Francis Cugat made a profound impression on Fitzgerald, so much so that he incorporated elements and symbolic undertones from it directly into the novel's narrative.

Upon its publication by Scribner's in April 1925, The Great Gatsby was met with generally favorable reviews from critics, though some believed it did not quite measure up to Fitzgerald's earlier literary endeavors. Despite the critical praise, its initial commercial performance was, regrettably, a disappointment compared to his previous works. By October of its release year, it had sold fewer than 20,000 copies, far short of Fitzgerald's hopes for a significant monetary success. This commercial shortfall, coupled with other personal and professional struggles, led Fitzgerald to a somber conclusion by the time of his untimely death in 1940: he believed himself to be a failure and feared his work would be forgotten by posterity.

However, fate had a dramatic turn in store for Fitzgerald’s masterpiece. During World War II, the novel experienced an astonishing and abrupt surge in popularity. The Council on Books in Wartime made the strategic decision to distribute free copies to American soldiers serving overseas, offering a piece of home and a reflection of American society to those far away. This unexpected resurgence launched a critical and scholarly re-examination of the novel's profound themes and stylistic brilliance. Soon, The Great Gatsby ascended to become a core component of most American high school and university curricula, firmly embedding itself within American popular culture. Its enduring appeal led to numerous stage and film adaptations in the decades that followed, further solidifying its place in the cultural lexicon.

Today, Gatsby continues to captivate both popular and scholarly attention, sparking ongoing discussions and interpretations. Contemporary scholars often highlight the novel's nuanced exploration of social class dynamics, the stark contrast between inherited wealth and self-made fortunes, issues of race, and even nascent themes of environmentalism. Its cynical and often disillusioned attitude towards the elusive "American Dream" remains a central point of academic inquiry. While widely lauded, the novel has also faced scrutiny, particularly regarding a persistent allegation of antisemitic stereotyping in its portrayal of certain characters. Nevertheless, The Great Gatsby is almost universally regarded as a literary masterwork and is a perennial contender for the esteemed title of the "Great American Novel."

F. Scott Fitzgerald: The Chronicler of the Jazz Age

Francis Scott Key Fitzgerald (September 24, 1896 – December 21, 1940) was a prominent American novelist, essayist, short story writer, and screenwriter whose name became synonymous with the roaring twenties. He is perhaps best known for his vivid, often poignant, novels that capture the flamboyance, excess, and underlying melancholy of the Jazz Age—a term he himself famously popularized. Throughout his relatively short but impactful lifetime, Fitzgerald published four novels, four comprehensive story collections, and an impressive 164 short stories. While he enjoyed considerable popular success and financial prosperity during the height of the 1920s, full critical acclaim for his genius largely eluded him until after his death. He is now, however, universally regarded as one of the greatest and most influential American writers of the 20th century, his work continuing to resonate deeply with new generations of readers.

Born into a middle-class family in Saint Paul, Minnesota, Fitzgerald spent the majority of his formative years in New York state. His academic journey led him to Princeton University, where he forged a lifelong friendship with the future eminent literary critic, Edmund Wilson. A significant early influence on his life and work was a failed romantic relationship with the vivacious Chicago socialite Ginevra King, an experience that would later inspire some of his most memorable characters and themes. Due to this heartbreak and a desire for a fresh start, he dropped out of Princeton in 1917 to join the United States Army during World War I. While stationed in Alabama, he met Zelda Sayre, a captivating Southern debutante who was a prominent figure in Montgomery's exclusive country-club set. Despite Zelda initially rejecting his marriage proposal due to his lack of robust financial prospects, she eventually agreed to marry him after the resounding commercial success of his first novel, This Side of Paradise (1920). This debut novel became an immediate cultural sensation, catapulting Fitzgerald into the literary spotlight and solidifying his reputation as one of the most eminent writers of the decade.

His second novel, The Beautiful and Damned (1922), further cemented his position within the cultural elite of the era. To sustain the increasingly affluent and demanding lifestyle he and Zelda embraced, Fitzgerald became a prolific contributor to popular magazines, writing countless stories for prominent publications such as The Saturday Evening Post, Collier's Weekly, and Esquire. During this incredibly productive period, Fitzgerald frequently traveled to Europe, immersing himself in the vibrant artistic communities there. It was during these European sojourns that he befriended many of the modernist writers and artists who formed the "Lost Generation" expatriate community, most notably the legendary Ernest Hemingway, with whom he shared a complex and often strained friendship. His third novel, The Great Gatsby (1925), while receiving generally favorable reviews, proved to be a commercial disappointment during its initial run, selling fewer than 23,000 copies in its first year. Despite this lackluster debut, its enduring power and artistic brilliance have led many literary critics today to hail it as the "Great American Novel." Following the heartbreaking deterioration of his wife's mental health, which necessitated her placement in a mental institute for schizophrenia, Fitzgerald channeled his personal anguish into his final completed novel, Tender Is the Night (1934).

As the Great Depression cast a long shadow over America, Fitzgerald found himself struggling financially, largely due to the declining popularity of his works and shifting literary tastes. Seeking new opportunities, he moved to Hollywood, where he embarked upon a challenging and ultimately unsuccessful career as a screenwriter. During his time in Hollywood, he shared his life with columnist Sheilah Graham, who became his devoted companion in the years leading up to his death. After a prolonged and arduous struggle with alcoholism, Fitzgerald remarkably achieved sobriety only to suffer a fatal heart attack in 1940, at the tragically young age of 44. His loyal friend, Edmund Wilson, undertook the task of completing and publishing Fitzgerald's unfinished fifth novel, The Last Tycoon (1941), posthumously, ensuring that this final glimpse into his creative genius was not lost to the world.

Frequently Asked Questions About The Great Gatsby and F. Scott Fitzgerald

What is The Great Gatsby about?
The Great Gatsby is a novel that explores themes of the American Dream, social class, wealth, and unrequited love through the eyes of Nick Carraway, who observes the mysterious millionaire Jay Gatsby's pursuit of his former lover, Daisy Buchanan, in the opulent Jazz Age setting of Long Island.
Who wrote The Great Gatsby?
The novel was written by the renowned American author F. Scott Fitzgerald.
What is the setting of The Great Gatsby?
The story is set in the summer of 1922 during the Jazz Age, primarily in the fictional towns of West Egg and East Egg on Long Island, New York, with brief excursions into New York City.
Was The Great Gatsby popular when it was first published?
While it received generally favorable reviews upon its publication in 1925, The Great Gatsby was not a commercial success initially, selling fewer than 20,000 copies in its first year and falling short of Fitzgerald's financial expectations.
When did The Great Gatsby become famous?
The novel experienced a significant surge in popularity during World War II, when free copies were distributed to American soldiers. This led to a critical re-evaluation, and it subsequently became a staple in American literature curricula and a prominent part of popular culture.
What are the main themes of The Great Gatsby?
Key themes include the corruption of the American Dream, the stark contrast between inherited ("old money") and self-made ("new money") wealth, social class divisions, the nature of illusion versus reality, and the destructive power of obsession and nostalgia.
Who was F. Scott Fitzgerald?
F. Scott Fitzgerald was an influential American novelist, essayist, and short story writer, best known for his vivid portrayals of the Jazz Age, a term he helped popularize. He is considered one of the greatest American writers of the 20th century.
What is the "Jazz Age"?
The Jazz Age refers to the period in American history, roughly from the end of World War I to the Great Depression (the 1920s), characterized by significant cultural shifts, economic prosperity, social liberation, and the emergence of jazz music and flapper culture. Fitzgerald is widely credited with coining and popularizing the term.