A Research Paper Example on Scott Fitzgerald's Babylon Revisited

Short story writers are well aware that such work has to be read in one sitting. In that case, they carefully select the message(s) they are going to convey and the most effective stylistic features that best deliver the message(s). The selection of characters is also made with utmost meticulousness to ensure that the main message is not distorted. Scott Fitzgerald is no exception. Fitzgerald is one of the most famous American authors. Although he was an enthusiastic story writer, having authored stories such as Bernice Bobs Her Hair, The Curious Case of Benjamin Button, The Diamond as Big as the Ritz, Babylon Revisited among others, the fiction work that pushed Fitzgerald to fame was his novel The Great Gatsby which was first published in 1925 (Miller 12). One of the stories that has been subjected to a lot of examination by critics is Babylon Revisited.' In this story, Fitzgerald seeks to address some issues by employing indefatigable characters and stylistic devices that help in effectively driving the point home.

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The Reputation of Scott Fitzgerald

Most Americans who lived through the Jazz Age of the 1920s and well into the Great Depression of the 1930s saw it all. They could not believe that their former extravagant lifestyle had been replaced with a great deal of struggle and bare survival resulting from the Great Depression. Fitzgerald was not an exception. In A Note on Fitzgerald's Babylon Revisited, Richard Griffith, a critic, argues that because Fitzgerald lived through this age, he seems to criticize his extravagance, drunkenness and careless living by using a fictional character (Griffith 237). According to critics, Scott Fitzgerald was an active participant in the decade-long party that was characterized by fast-lane lifestyles.

In Ideas and Approaches for Teaching Fitzgerald's "Babylon Revisited," Logsdon Loren, another critic, notes that "Fitzgerald did have a problem with money, with alcohol, and with his wife. She had a breakdown, and her recovery was in serious doubt. Fitzgerald was very much concerned about his daughter, about influencing her in a positive way, just as Charlie wants to make an impact on Honorias character. The story reflects those problems in Fitzgeralds life that were pressing him (Logsdon 17). Critics, therefore believe that this is the major reason he wrote Babylon Revisited so that it would act as a warning to the careless and extravagant citizens who seem to think that there is no tomorrow. Fitzgeralds marriage had not been successful as a result of his extravagant behavior and drunkenness. This is reflected in the story, Babylon Revisited where we find the main character Charlie Wales arguing with his wife, Helen, and later locking her out of their house. Helen later dies of pneumonia as a result of the cold night and Charlie is blamed for it. Some critics, therefore, argue that, although Fitzgeralds wife does not die, she suffers mental breakdown due to his behavior hence the story is a reflection of Fitzgerald's life.

How Fitzgeralds Reputation Influences the StoryThomas Staley, in Theme and Structure in Fitzgeralds Babylon Revisited (as cited in Logsdon 8) notes that Scott Fitzgerald was particularly preoccupied with the forces of time. His personal life, together with his reading, gave him a profound sense of the importance of time. He had already wasted a lot of time and resources in the 1920s and it was time for payback. In the story, the main character regrets, owing to his past wasteful behavior and drunkenness, and as he walks around the town, "he suddenly realize[s] the meaning of the word 'dissipate' to dissipate into thin air, to make nothing out of something" (Fitzgerald 56). In "High Brow, Low Brow, Furrowed Brow Promoting an Appreciation of Fitzgerald in the Undergraduate Classroom," Seals Marc, another critic, notes that the dissipation relates to Fitzgeralds life which critics say was characterized by wastage, turbulence, and drunkenness that even made his wife experience a mental breakdown (Seals 4). Upon realizing how much wealth he dissipated, how much he took down the drain, Charlie feels very guilty but unfortunately, he realizes that there is nothing much he can do now. The only thing he can attempt is to have his daughter live with him so that he can know her better. In a similar sense, Fitzgerald's wife, Zelda, suffers a lot in the hands of a wasteful and drunkard husband to the point of developing mental issues. The same thing happens Charlies wife in the story. The only difference is that Charlies wife dies. It is important to note that although Fitzgerald's wife does not die, the story mirrors his reputation, life, and what happened to many people at the end of the Jazz Age.

What Critics Say about Fitzgeralds StoryFitzgerald's Babylon Revisited has received a warm reception from critics. Many of them consider it a masterpiece since it is rich with the theme of wealth and its concomitant dissipation of personal character that is so typical in Fitzgeralds writings (Seals 3). Such issues affect the contemporary society in an unprecedented manner. Although the events of the story are based on the era of the Great Depression, critics argue that the thematic concerns tackled are timeless. Critics further claim that this is one of Scott Fitzgeralds most analyzed and anthologized stories since it connects to Fitzgeralds own life (Griffith 236). Some of the elements in the story are even considered by some critics as autobiographical. In "Fitzgerald's Babylon Revisited, Eby Cecil, a critic, argues that the story is a shaper of an individuals destiny and demonstrates that no one can escape the past (Eby 176). Most critics view the story as a mirror into the writers lifestyle. This is probably because a close look at the main character provides an insight into the life of the writer. All the same, some critics point out that there are some inconsistencies in the sequence of events although they argue that this may have been Fitzgerald's deliberate attempt to communicate a certain message (Griffith 238). Critics point out that the reference to the passage of time as well as the route taken by Charlie Wales from the Ritz Bar to his sister-in-law's place are a bit illogical (Griffith 238). Nevertheless, most of them seem to agree that despite these hitches, the tone and imagery employed in the story portray Fitzgerald as a master in this genre.

Thematic Concerns and Symbolism in the Story

Various thematic concerns are explored in Babylon Revisited.' One of the main themes that critics point out in this story is that of wealth and its pernicious influence on an individual (Logsdon 8). According to this critic, many people wish to be wealthy; however, if the wealth is mishandled, it brings misfortune and regrets. Charlie Wales was wealthy and had been partying and indulging in drinking through the 1920s since he had all the money he needed. He constantly parties until he finally becomes irresponsible and had to end up in a state of regret and loss. His wifes death is blamed on him since he locked her out in the cold. Also, he is denied the custody of his daughter and when he attempts to have her back (he has already won her confidence), his sister-in-law, Marion cannot allow him to do so after she realizes that he is not fully transformed after all. Probably, it is Fitzgerald's way of expressing his own loss and remorse. In the story, Charlie says that he may have lost in the crash; however, he admits to having lost everything he wanted in the boom (Fitzgerald 54). This is symbolic of the regrets he has for having lost his wife and daughter during the self-destructive days of the boom. His wife is dead while his daughter is in his in-law's custody. There is no way he is going to regain either; hence, the symbolic of having lost everything he wanted.' Critics also point out the issue of alcoholism, irresponsibility, and transformation.

Of importance to note is that Fitzgerald uses the language symbolically but beautifully to convey the message of a longstanding scar of irresponsibility and ultimate reformation. In Rediscovering Fitzgerald,' Jeffrey Hart states that in the experience of language, a moment may come when one truly discovers that there is another dimension to the experience of words, that language may convey much more than one expects" (Hart 193). Charlie Wales, the main character in the story, is ostensibly a recovered alcoholic; however, his claim for reformation is doubtable since he still takes alcohol each day, albeit in comparatively little amounts. As Fitzgerald explores the aspect of alcoholism and its consequences, he symbolically uses the word dissipate.' At first, the reader is tempted to think that the dissipation refers to the American loss in the 1929 stock market crash, but later learns that it implies Charlie's loss of his wife and daughter due to his irresponsible conduct during the boom. He is said to have suddenly realized the meaning of the word dissipate (Fitzgerald 56). Critics go on to argue that reformation is the ultimate. Without having reformed fully, the past will always haunt the individual. For Charlie Wales, it is a lonely life of remorse. He wonders till when he will pay for his past irresponsibility.

Personal Opinion on What the Critics Say about the Story

To a large extent, I do not agree with what most of the critics say. Although I agree that the thematic issues in the story were informed by Fitzgeralds personal life and experiences, I do not agree with the idea that one cannot escape from the past. While it is true that every individual must take responsibility for their actions and be ready for the consequences, I am against the idea of people having to be severely punished for their past deeds. I believe that to err is human. Every human being has the potential to make mistakes. Some people are just favored by the lack of an opportunity; otherwise, they would not be as innocent as they seem. Charlie Wales, the main character in the story, had all the resources during the boom. He had the money, and it had to be spent.

Although Charlie Wales eventually slipped into alcoholism and irresponsible behavior, he should not be judged so severely. The writer puts him through too much emotional turbulence. He is ready for transformation but the resurfacing of his two former party friends spoils everything that he has been trying to rebuild. He has already won the confidence of his daughter who has agreed to go live with him. Marion's husband has no problem relinquishing Honoria, and his wife is warming up to the idea. Unfortunately, just as the deal is about to be sealed, Duncan Schaeffer and Lorraine Quarrles, his old party friends, show up and Marion doubts if Charlie has really reformed. Although the critics do not find any problem with this, I think it is unfair for the writer to punish this character so severely. He has to languish in loneliness for up to six months as he waits for Marion to cool down.

Relevance of the Story

Babylon Revisited" is particularly relevant to me. Although I recognize the fact that every individual should be treated as a human being who is prone to mistakes, irresponsibility must be reproached. Reckless spending, drinking and partying cannot be overlooked since it affects the generations that follow. Were it not for Charlie's irresponsible behavior, he would still be happily married to Helen, and their daughter would be living with them. However, because of his recklessness, his wife had to die and his daughter adopted by her relatives. Similarly, the stock market crash of 1929 may not have happened were it not for the reckless Jazz Age generation. The story is, therefore, relevant to me.

Recommendations

Finally, it is important to note that Fitzgeralds Babylo...