Fitzgerald's Encounter with Lois Moran

In 1927, F. Scott Fitzgerald attended a lavish party at the iconic Pickfair estate, where he encountered the young starlet Lois Moran, who was just 17 years old at the time. Moran had already gained significant fame for her role in the film 'Stella Dallas' (1925), and her presence captivated Fitzgerald. Seeking a deeper intellectual connection amidst the glitz of Hollywood, the two engaged in hours of stimulating conversation about literature and philosophy. Fitzgerald was 31 years old and past his prime, but the smitten Moran regarded him as a sophisticated, handsome, and gifted writer. Consequently, she pursued a relationship with him. Jealous of Fitzgerald and Moran, an irate Zelda set fire to her own expensive clothing in a bathtub as a self-destructive act. She disparaged the teenage Moran as "a breakfast food that many men identified with whatever they missed from life." This meeting proved to be pivotal for Fitzgerald, as Moran became a muse for him, inspiring various characters in his literary works. Their discussions not only highlighted Fitzgerald's yearning for meaningful dialogue but also showcased Moran's depth beyond her starlet persona. The influence of their encounter can be seen in Fitzgerald's subsequent writings, where the essence of Moran's character and intellect resonated through his narratives, further solidifying the intertwining of art and life in the Jazz Age. Fitzgerald's relations with Moran further exacerbated the Fitzgeralds' marital difficulties and, after merely two months in Jazz Age Hollywood, the unhappy couple departed for Delaware in March 1927. #mooflife #mof #MomentOfLife #F.ScottFitzgerald #LoisMoran #PickfairEstate #JazzAge #LiteratureAndPhilosophy