26th Annual Student Research Conference
"Babylon Revisited": a Reflection of Fitzgerald's Life
Natalie E. Vonarx
Dr. Bob Mielke, Faculty Mentor
This research explores F. Scott Fitzgerald's "Babylon Revisited" through a biographical lens. While "Babylon Revisited" may be read as a story about a man whose past impropriety causes him unhappiness in life, more can be assumed after researching Fitzgerald's own life and taking it into consideration. Fitzgerald and his protagonist, Wales, have similar family dynamics, lifestyles, and both suffer from alcoholism. Fitzgerald uses dialogue that indicates frivolity was a characteristic of society (not Wales alone) and uses language and metaphor to portray that Wales's past is inescapable. By infusing his life into the story and showing a regretful and sympathetic character unable to escape society's influence, Fitzgerald uses "Babylon Revisited" to shed a light of sympathy over the "Lost Generation"--himself included.
Keywords: F. Scott Fitzgerald, Babylon Revisited, The Lost Generation
Topic(s):English
Presentation Type: Oral Paper
Session: 207-1
Location: VH 1320
Time: 9:30