Professor Sarah Churchwell on Genius, Big Dreams and F. Scott Fitzgerald
Jan 25, 2023
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In this engaging discussion, Sarah Churchwell, a Professor of American Literature at the University of London, explores the intricate legacy of F. Scott Fitzgerald. She delves into the themes of ambition, societal decay, and the duality of the American Dream as depicted in 'The Great Gatsby.' Churchwell reveals Fitzgerald's self-awareness regarding his strengths and shortcomings, and how his portrayal of ambition can mirror contemporary figures like Elon Musk. Additionally, she emphasizes the often-overlooked discipline behind Fitzgerald’s craft, challenging romanticized notions of creativity.
Gatsby's pursuit of the American Dream leads to his downfall.
Fitzgerald's constant struggle to fulfill his potential and live up to societal expectations.
Fitzgerald's fascination with glamour and the pursuit of extraordinary experiences.
Deep dives
Importance of Understanding Gatsby's Dreams and Failures
The podcast episode delves into the meaning and significance of F. Scott Fitzgerald's novel, The Great Gatsby. The discussion highlights the idea that Gatsby's dreams are too big for the world he inhabits. It explores the concept of the American Dream and how Gatsby's pursuit of it ultimately leads to his downfall. The conversation also touches on the themes of romance, idealism, and the corruption of wealth in Fitzgerald's work.
Fitzgerald's Sense of Responsibility and Burden of Debt
The episode delves into F. Scott Fitzgerald's sense of responsibility and the burden of debt he carried throughout his life. It explores how Fitzgerald was aware of his flaws and shortcomings, and how he constantly sought to fulfill his potential. The discussion highlights Fitzgerald's sensitivity to criticism and his struggle with living up to societal expectations. It also explores how his financial struggles influenced his writings and added to his personal burdens.
The Temptation of Glamour and Potential in Fitzgerald's Life and Writing
The podcast delves into F. Scott Fitzgerald's fascination with glamour, potential, and the pursuit of extraordinary experiences. It discusses how Fitzgerald was tempted by the allure of wealth, beauty, and the grandeur of life. The conversation explores his romantic worldview and the tragic aspects of his own life. It also delves into the concept of the promissory note, where Fitzgerald saw life as a debt that had to be paid back, and how this theme weaves through many of his stories.
The themes of power and agency in Fitzgerald's works
Fitzgerald's works, such as The Great Gatsby and The Diamond as Big as the Ritz, explore the themes of power and agency. He delves into the idea that singular figures, dreamers, can transform the world through their greed, avarice, earnestness, or desire to prove themselves. These figures have the will to power and shape society. Fitzgerald's fascination with these characters and their stories is evident in his writings, where he presents the consequences of their ambitions and the corrupting influence that comes with the pursuit of their dreams.
Fitzgerald as a moralist and his exploration of America
Fitzgerald's writings also reflect his role as a moralist and his examination of America. He believed in the responsibility to others and the notion of a common wheel, a collective well-being. He saw his moral sense as fundamentally connected to principles and values that he saw as American. Fitzgerald's stories, such as The Four Fists, tackle complex ethical dilemmas, where characters grapple with doing the right thing, even when faced with personal sacrifice. Moreover, Fitzgerald's works engage with the idea of the American dream, shedding light on its complexities and critiquing the glamorization of wealth and success. Through his stories, Fitzgerald invites readers to consider the deeper implications of ambition, power, and the societal impact of individual actions.
Ryan speaks with Sarah Churchwell about her book Careless People: Murder, Mayhem, and the Invention of The Great Gatsby, the complicated figure of F. Scott Fitzgerald, how The Great Gatsby’s celebration of mad dreamers who chase the American Dream informs our pursuit of the same ideal today, and more.
Sarah Churchwell is professor of American Literature and Public Understanding of the Humanities at the School of Advanced Study, University of London. Her work focuses on 20th- and 21st-century American literature and cultural history, especially the 1920s and 1930s, including four books: The Many Lives of Marilyn Monroe, Behold America: A History of America First and the American Dream, The Wrath to Come: Gone with the Wind and the Lies America Tells, and the aforementioned Careless People. She has written for numerous publications, including The New York Review of Books, The New York Times Book Review, The Times Literary Supplement, The Spectator, the New Statesman, The Guardian and The Observer. Saraha was also a judge for the 2014 Man Booker Prize, the 2017 Baillie Gifford Prize, and the 2019 Sunday Times Short Story Prize. In April 2021, she was long listed for the Orwell Prize for Journalism.
