Returning Home and One Last Attempt at a Novel

In July 1919, F. Scott Fitzgerald made a pivotal decision to quit his advertising job and return to his hometown of St. Paul, Minnesota. This move came after a period of personal and professional turmoil, leaving him feeling like a failure. Upon his return, Fitzgerald became a social recluse, taking residence in the top floor of his parents' home at 599 Summit Avenue on Cathedral Hill. Determined to turn his fortunes around, he resolved to make one last attempt at becoming a successful novelist. This time, he staked everything on the success of his writing, choosing to abstain from alcohol and social gatherings that had previously distracted him. Fitzgerald dedicated himself to revising his earlier work, "The Romantic Egotist," transforming it into "This Side of Paradise." This novel would ultimately draw from his own experiences at Princeton and his romantic entanglements, including those with Ginevra and Zelda. This period of intense focus and creativity marked a significant turning point in Fitzgerald's career, leading to his eventual rise as one of America's most celebrated authors. #mooflife #mof #MomentOfLife #F.ScottFitzgerald #ThisSideOfParadise #1919 #AmericanLiterature #Novelist