Simple Symbols with Deeper Meanings
When people think of F. Scott Fitzgerald they think of the roaring 20’s and his famous novel the “Great Gatsby”, what many tend to not recognize or acknowledge is Fitzgerald’s skills of capturing the mood of the 1930’s as well. Written in 1930, F. Scott Fitzgerald’s “Babylon Revisited” is a perfect example of his writing about life after the 1929 stock market crash. The short story introduces readers to Charlie Wales, the main character who lost everything after the stock market crash. Wales has returned to his old party location, Paris, France after being sent to a sanitarium for alcoholism. Charlie is claiming to be a new man to try to prove that he deserves the custody of his daughter Honoria, who is …show more content…
Though this short story is claimed to be an autobiography of F. Scott Fitzgerald’s life after the stock market crash, “Babylon Revisited” contains strong symbolism and themes that captures the different attitudes after …show more content…
Honoria represents the hope of new money during the 1930s and Charlie’s desire to get her back can show the ambition of many Americans who lost their fortunes. Inspired by Scottie, Fitzgerald’s own daughter, Honoria is Charlie’s daughter who is taken from him after the death of his wife and his admission into a sanitarium. After being released and getting back on his feet, Charlie returns to Paris to win back custody of her and bring her home. After his sister-in-law Marion agreed to give custody to Charlie, there is a new atmosphere around Charlie until he is reminded of his late wife Helen. “He made plans… for Honoria and himself, but suddenly grew sad, remembering all the plans he and Helen had made." (Part IV), with the new hope for the future, there is the ghostly reminder of the past and what could be repeated. When Honoria is not allowed to live with him, instead of going back to his old ways, Charlie is given the motivation to stay on the good track in hopes of one day getting her back. This could be seen as a last attempt even though Charlie knows that he will never get his daughter
When people think of F. Scott Fitzgerald they think of the roaring 20’s and his famous novel the “Great Gatsby”, what many tend to not recognize or acknowledge is Fitzgerald’s skills of capturing the mood of the 1930’s as well. Written in 1930, F. Scott Fitzgerald’s “Babylon Revisited” is a perfect example of his writing about life after the 1929 stock market crash. The short story introduces readers to Charlie Wales, the main character who lost everything after the stock market crash. Wales has returned to his old party location, Paris, France after being sent to a sanitarium for alcoholism. Charlie is claiming to be a new man to try to prove that he deserves the custody of his daughter Honoria, who is …show more content…
Though this short story is claimed to be an autobiography of F. Scott Fitzgerald’s life after the stock market crash, “Babylon Revisited” contains strong symbolism and themes that captures the different attitudes after …show more content…
Honoria represents the hope of new money during the 1930s and Charlie’s desire to get her back can show the ambition of many Americans who lost their fortunes. Inspired by Scottie, Fitzgerald’s own daughter, Honoria is Charlie’s daughter who is taken from him after the death of his wife and his admission into a sanitarium. After being released and getting back on his feet, Charlie returns to Paris to win back custody of her and bring her home. After his sister-in-law Marion agreed to give custody to Charlie, there is a new atmosphere around Charlie until he is reminded of his late wife Helen. “He made plans… for Honoria and himself, but suddenly grew sad, remembering all the plans he and Helen had made." (Part IV), with the new hope for the future, there is the ghostly reminder of the past and what could be repeated. When Honoria is not allowed to live with him, instead of going back to his old ways, Charlie is given the motivation to stay on the good track in hopes of one day getting her back. This could be seen as a last attempt even though Charlie knows that he will never get his daughter