1. An Introduction to F. Scott Fitzgerald and The Great Gatsby
Sincerely F. Scott Fitzgerald
Viewing Response Topics

2. Scott and Zelda
(from about 3:00 -7:00) Early in the film, we hear about the origins of Scott and Zelda’s relationship.
What do you think about the fact that Zelda wouldn’t marry Scott until he had become a published writer? Explain your views.

3. Scott and Zelda
At about the 8:00 minute mark, Anne Margaret Daniel discusses Scott and Zelda’s marriage.
Scott and Zelda were a celebrity couple who enjoyed the publicity they received. After listening to Daniel’s description of the marriage, compare them to a current celebrity couple most of us know about in current times. Explain your comparison.

4. Scott and Zelda…The Downfall
At about the 16:00 minute mark (after the story about Zelda’s affair and request for a divorce), Scott says in a letter “that’s the whole burden of this novel (The Great Gatsby), the loss of those illusions that give such color to the world…”
What is FSF talking about in this quote (not necesarily specifically to his situation)? Explain and give examples.

5. Skip from 20:30 – 28:30 to avoid plot spoilers.
Great Gatsby Plot
Skip from 20:30 – 28:30 to avoid plot spoilers.

6. Fitzgerald’s Decline
At about the 29:30 mark, we learn about FSF going to Hollywood to get work in the movies.
What’s the tragedy of a writer of Fitzgerald’s caliber doing this, making this change in his writing career (think of Catcher in the Rye)? Explain.

7. Fitzgerald and His Daughter
At about the 39:00 mark, there is a quote about FSF’s letters to his daughter: “Fitzgerald wrote hundreds of letters to Scottie, mostly designed to stop her from being him.”
Why would this be the case? Why would FSF not want his daughter to be like him? Speculate and explain.

8. Fitzgerald and His Daughter
At about the 42:00 mark, we hear of a letter from FSF to his daughter where he lists things to worry about and not worry about.
After listening to FSF’s lists, what do you think about his advice to his daughter? Explain.

9. The End for Fitzgerald
Ultimately, FSF could never really recapture the magic he had as a writer in the 1920’s.
What was FSF’s downfall? What contributed to FSF losing his touch? Explain

10. Fitzgerald and his Characters
FSF has many things in common with characters in his various stories.
Explain and give some examples of the similar aspects in the author and his characters as shown in the film.