Focus Question: For what purpose did Fitzgerald write, and more specifically, what message(s) did he want to give his audience through his writing?

    Much of F. Scott Fitzgerald's writing reflected the economic and cultural changes that occurred during his lifetime, especially those in the 1920s. Generally when we think of the 1920s, we are drawn to the images of flappers, men in suites, jazz bands and the dance floor. But Fitzgerald implies in his writing that he saw within this era something beyond these glamorous images- something he deemed more serious. He identified a growing culture of materialism that corrupted many of the values America once stood on, and saw this sense of materialism would lead to selfishness and an extreme case of individualism. Fitzgerald expresses these beliefs in literature, and it is clear that he had a very specific purpose- to depict the cultural and economic implications of his time. Through his writing, Fitzgerald could speak to a larger audience and convey his beliefs regarding these issues. Taking a look at some of his works, including both his novels and short stories, we can see that Fitzgerald used his writing to not only paint the colorful and exciting featurs of the 20s that nearly all people were aware of, but also to send a message to readers that America was becoming more and more of a materialist nation that was leading to selfishness and a change in moral views. Fitzgerald mainly illustrates this in his famous novel The Great Gatsby, as well as The Beautiful and the Damned and Tender is the Night.