False Start to The Great Gatsby

In 1923, F. Scott Fitzgerald embarked on the ambitious journey of creating what would become one of the most celebrated novels in American literature, The Great Gatsby. He communicated his vision to his publisher, Maxwell Perkins, expressing his desire to craft a work of art that was not only beautiful but also intricately patterned. By mid-1923, Fitzgerald had already penned 18,000 words; however, he ultimately deemed most of this initial writing a false start, leading him to discard it. The novel was initially titled 'Trimalchio,' a reference to the character from the Latin work Satyricon, and it centered around the rise of a parvenu who seeks wealth and social status. This early concept laid the groundwork for the themes of aspiration and the American Dream that would later define The Great Gatsby. Fitzgerald's meticulous planning and dedication to his craft would eventually culminate in a timeless narrative that continues to resonate with readers today. #mooflife #mof #MomentOfLife #F.ScottFitzgerald #TheGreatGatsby #1923 #AmericanLiterature #NovelPlanning