Tales of the Jazz Age - F. Scott Fitzgerald

Summary

Tales of the Jazz Age is a collection of eleven short stories by F. Scott Fitzgerald, first published in 1922. The stories collectively serve as a vibrant and often melancholic snapshot of American society during the Roaring Twenties. Through a diverse range of characters—from flappers and aspiring socialites to disillusioned veterans and eccentric millionaires—Fitzgerald explores themes of wealth, ambition, disillusionment, class struggle, the pursuit of pleasure, and the elusive nature of happiness. The collection is characterized by Fitzgerald's distinctive prose, his keen observation of social manners, and his underlying sense of the transient beauty and impending fragility of the Jazz Age. Each tale, while distinct, contributes to a broader portrait of a generation grappling with changing values, the aftermath of war, and the promises and pitfalls of a rapidly modernizing world.

Book Sections

Section: The Jelly-Bean

Jim Powell, a lazy but likable young man from a small Southern town, spends his days gambling and aimlessly pursuing pleasure. He is known as a "jelly-bean" because of his fondness for sweets and his lack of ambition. During a visit to the country club, he becomes infatuated with Nancy Lamar, a vivacious and wealthy young woman from New York. Nancy, tired of the superficiality of her social circle, is drawn to Jim's simplicity and genuine nature. They share a night of dancing and conversation, during which Jim declares his love for her. However, the next morning, Jim's hopes are dashed when Nancy's fiancé, Clark Darrow, returns. A misunderstanding involving a dice game and a drunken brawl ensues, leading to Jim's arrest and further alienation from Nancy's world. Jim realizes the vast social chasm between them and returns to his old life, now with a touch of melancholy.

Character	Characteristics	Motivations
Jim Powell	A "jelly-bean," lazy, good-natured, gambler, easily impressed, romantic, from a lower social class.	To escape boredom, to win money, to gain acceptance, to pursue Nancy Lamar.
Nancy Lamar	Beautiful, wealthy, vivacious, intelligent, somewhat jaded by her social circle, impulsive.	To find excitement and genuine connection, to escape the superficiality of her life.
Clark Darrow	Wealthy, Nancy's fiancé, arrogant, possessive.	To maintain his social status and relationship with Nancy.

Section: The Camel's Back

A whimsical and surreal story where an entire community is transformed into camels for a costume party. Peter, a young man, is tasked with finding a suitable costume for his girlfriend, Mary, who is indecisive. He ends up constructing an elaborate camel costume. The story then takes a fantastical turn as all the party guests arrive dressed as camels, and the narrative focuses on the absurdities and humor of their interactions while completely embodied as these animals. The humor lies in the human reactions and social dynamics playing out despite the animalistic forms. It's a lighthearted commentary on social conventions and the masks people wear.

Character	Characteristics	Motivations
Peter	Creative, somewhat overwhelmed by Mary's indecisiveness, playful.	To please Mary, to participate in the party.
Mary	Indecisive, fashionable, dramatic.	To find the perfect costume, to enjoy the party.

Section: May Day

This is one of the collection's longer and more complex stories, interweaving several plotlines centered around a chaotic "May Day" party in New York City. The story contrasts the lives of wealthy Yale graduates, bohemian artists, and working-class war veterans. Gordon Sterrett, a Yale graduate struggling with alcoholism and financial ruin, attends a lavish party hosted by his old fraternity brother, Philip Dean. He tries to borrow money from Dean and reconnects with Edith Bradin, a woman he once loved. Meanwhile, two disillusioned WWI veterans, Gus Rose and Carroll Key, find themselves caught up in a violent socialist demonstration and subsequent riot. The party itself descends into a drunken bacchanal, reflecting the moral decay and aimlessness of the upper class. The paths of these characters intersect tragically, culminating in violence, despair, and death, highlighting the stark inequalities and social unrest beneath the Jazz Age's glamorous facade.

Character	Characteristics	Motivations
Gordon Sterrett	Yale graduate, artist, alcoholic, financially ruined, disillusioned.	To escape his problems, to borrow money, to rekindle a past romance, to find meaning.
Philip Dean	Wealthy Yale graduate, host of the party, superficial, self-centered.	To maintain his social standing, to enjoy his wealth and leisure.
Edith Bradin	Independent, observant, once loved Gordon, entangled in the party's events.	To navigate her social world, to perhaps find a different path.
Gus Rose	WWI veteran, working-class, disillusioned, prone to violence.	To find meaning or justice after the war, to lash out at perceived injustices.
Carroll Key	WWI veteran, Gus's friend, also disillusioned and prone to violence.	To stick with Gus, to find purpose, to release pent-up frustration.

Section: Porcelain and Pink

A one-act play that takes place in a bathroom. Lois, a young woman, is taking a bath when a young man, Clyde, accidentally enters, thinking it's an empty room. He quickly realizes his mistake and tries to leave, but Lois, rather than being embarrassed, is amused and begins to flirt with him from behind the shower curtain. They engage in a witty, playful conversation, full of misdirection and innuendo. The humor arises from the awkward situation and their clever banter, exploring themes of flirtation, mistaken identity, and the superficiality of polite society. The story ends with the two parting ways, a brief, charming encounter unresolved.

Character	Characteristics	Motivations
Lois	Flirtatious, witty, mischievous, confident, modern woman.	To amuse herself, to engage in playful banter, to test social boundaries.
Clyde	Polite, somewhat flustered, well-meaning, earnest.	To apologize, to escape the awkward situation, to engage with Lois.

Section: The Diamond as Big as the Ritz

John T. Unger, a young man from a respectable but not wealthy family in Hades, Mississippi, is invited to spend the summer at the home of his wealthy schoolmate, Percy Washington. John soon discovers that Percy's family lives on a mountain that is literally a single, gigantic diamond, making them the richest family in the world. To protect their secret, the Washingtons resort to extreme measures, including kidnapping and murdering anyone who discovers their wealth, even their own staff and guests, and buying up politicians and preventing modern technology from reaching their isolated domain. John falls in love with Percy's sister, Kismine. When the family's secret is accidentally exposed to the outside world, their hidden fortress comes under attack. The mountain begins to crumble, and the Washingtons face ruin. John and Kismine attempt to escape with some diamonds, but only John survives, left with a single, small diamond as a reminder of the fleeting nature of immense wealth and the moral compromises it demands.

Character	Characteristics	Motivations
John T. Unger	Young, impressionable, from a middle-class background, initially naive.	To experience wealth, to understand the Washingtons, to pursue Kismine, to escape.
Percy Washington	John's schoolmate, heir to immense wealth, accustomed to extreme measures to protect secrets.	To maintain the family's secret and wealth, to protect their isolation.
Kismine Washington	Beautiful, naive, sheltered, one of Percy's sisters.	To escape her isolated existence, to experience the outside world, to find love with John.
Mr. Washington	Patriarch of the Washington family, utterly ruthless, paranoid, and powerful.	To protect his family's secret and wealth at any cost, to maintain absolute control.

Section: The Curious Case of Benjamin Button

Benjamin Button is born in Baltimore in 1860 with the physical appearance and infirmities of an old man, to the astonishment of his parents. As the years pass, Benjamin ages in reverse, growing younger and more vigorous. He attends Yale (briefly), fights in the Spanish-American War, runs a successful business, marries, has a son, and becomes a respected member of society, all while physically regressing. His wife, Hildegarde, grows older normally, leading to increasing strain on their marriage. As Benjamin becomes younger, he goes through various stages of life in reverse, eventually becoming a college student, then a child, and finally an infant. The story traces his unique life, exploring themes of identity, time, love, and the absurdity of existence when one's biological clock runs counter to societal norms. It is a fantastical exploration of the human experience of aging and the challenges of fitting into a world not designed for such an anomaly.

Character	Characteristics	Motivations
Benjamin Button	Born an old man, ages in reverse, adapts to his unique condition, becomes a successful businessman and soldier.	To live a normal life despite his condition, to experience love and fatherhood, to find his place in the world.
Roger Button	Benjamin's father, initially horrified and embarrassed by his son's condition, tries to force Benjamin into societal norms.	To maintain his family's reputation, to understand and cope with his son's unusual birth.
Hildegarde Moncrief	Benjamin's wife, initially drawn to his mature appearance, struggles as he physically regresses past her.	To find love and companionship, to live a conventional life.
Roscoe Button	Benjamin's son, eventually becomes his father's guardian as Benjamin becomes a child.	To care for his father, to grapple with the reversal of their relationship.

Section: Tarquin of Cheapside

A historical short story set in Elizabethan England. It follows the ambitious and somewhat cynical poet, Tarquin, who makes a living writing popular plays and poetry. He is talented but also a bit of a plagiarist and opportunist, using others' ideas to further his career. He encounters an old man who once scorned him and revels in his success. The story subtly explores themes of ambition, the nature of creativity, and the pursuit of fame, contrasted with the ephemeral nature of artistic success. It's a departure from Fitzgerald's usual Jazz Age settings, showcasing his versatility.

Character	Characteristics	Motivations
Tarquin	Ambitious poet, witty, somewhat cynical, opportunist, successful but perhaps unoriginal.	To achieve fame and fortune, to prove himself, to secure his position in the literary world.

Section: 'O Russet Witch!'

Merlin Grainger, a quiet and respectable librarian in a small town, becomes infatuated with Caroline, a beautiful, free-spirited, and somewhat wild flapper who embodies the recklessness of the Jazz Age. Caroline is everything Merlin is not: impulsive, glamorous, and socially magnetic. Merlin, despite his conventional life, finds himself drawn into her chaotic world, fantasizing about her. He struggles with his desires and his staid existence. The story explores the allure of the new generation and the tension between traditional values and modern sensuality, with Merlin ultimately unable to fully commit to or understand Caroline's world.

Character	Characteristics	Motivations
Merlin Grainger	Quiet, respectable, intellectual, librarian, initially conventional and repressed.	To find excitement, to experience passion, to understand and pursue Caroline.
Caroline	Beautiful, wild, free-spirited, impulsive, a typical "flapper" of the Jazz Age.	To live life fully, to seek pleasure and attention, to enjoy her youth and freedom.

Section: The Lees of Happiness

A tragic love story focusing on two couples and the impact of a devastating accident. George and Jeff, two successful friends, are both in love with the same woman, Marjorie. Marjorie ultimately chooses George, and they marry. However, soon after, George suffers an accident that leaves him paralyzed and severely disfigured. In an act of self-sacrifice, he pretends to no longer love Marjorie, believing she would be happier without him and might find happiness with Jeff. Marjorie, however, remains devoted to him. The story explores themes of sacrifice, love, loyalty, and the devastating effects of misfortune on relationships.

Character	Characteristics	Motivations
George	Successful, in love with Marjorie, proud, later tragically injured.	To find happiness with Marjorie, to protect her happiness even at his own expense.
Marjorie	Beautiful, beloved by George and Jeff, loyal, devoted.	To find love, to stay true to her chosen husband, to care for George.
Jeff	George's friend, also in love with Marjorie, loyal to George.	To pursue Marjorie, to support his friend.

Section: Mr. Icky

A satirical and somewhat farcical piece about a young, ambitious writer named Mr. Icky (whose real name is Mr. Fitz-James, a playful self-reference to Fitzgerald). He desperately tries to impress a famous, older literary critic and editor, Mr. George Washington White. Mr. Icky is full of grand pronouncements about his genius and the state of modern literature, often bordering on nonsense. He offers a series of increasingly absurd and self-important literary ideas and criticisms, while Mr. White, bored and unimpressed, mostly humors him. The story is a humorous critique of literary pretension, the struggle for recognition, and the sometimes-inflated egos within the artistic world.

Character	Characteristics	Motivations
Mr. Icky (Mr. Fitz-James)	Young, ambitious, pretentious, full of exaggerated self-importance, aspiring writer.	To gain recognition, to impress Mr. White, to establish himself as a literary figure.
Mr. George Washington White	Famous, older literary critic and editor, bored, somewhat cynical, easily annoyed.	To fulfill his duties, to find genuine talent (or at least avoid pretension).

Section: Jemina

A brief and somewhat dark humorous story about a woman named Jemina who has a peculiar habit of losing her clothes in unexpected and inappropriate places. Each instance is a small, absurd anecdote. The narrative recounts various situations where Jemina's clothing mysteriously disappears, leaving her in embarrassing predicaments. The humor comes from the sheer absurdity and recurring nature of her unfortunate habit, hinting at a character who is perhaps too carefree or simply incredibly unlucky. It's a light piece, more of a character sketch and a series of comical vignettes than a traditional plot-driven story.

Character	Characteristics	Motivations
Jemina	Eccentric, perhaps careless, prone to losing her clothing in absurd situations.	Unclear, as her actions seem more a recurring phenomenon than motivated choices.

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Literary Genre: Short Stories, Literary Fiction, Jazz Age Fiction, Social Commentary, Satire, Fantasy.

Author Information:
F. Scott Fitzgerald (Francis Scott Key Fitzgerald, 1896–1940) was an American novelist and short story writer. He is widely regarded as one of the greatest American writers of the 20th century. A central figure of the Jazz Age, his works vividly capture the exuberance, disillusionment, and moral ambiguity of the era. He chronicled the "lost generation" between the two World Wars, portraying their pursuit of wealth, pleasure, and the American Dream, often with a tragic undertone. His most famous novel is The Great Gatsby (1925), and other notable works include This Side of Paradise (1920), The Beautiful and Damned (1922), and Tender Is the Night (1934). Fitzgerald's own life, marked by financial struggles, alcoholism, and a turbulent marriage to Zelda Sayre, often mirrored the themes of his fiction.

Moral and Curiosities:

Morals/Themes:

• The Illusion of the Jazz Age: Many stories portray the glittering surface of the Jazz Age, only to reveal the emptiness, moral decay, and desperation beneath. The pursuit of wealth and pleasure often leads to disillusionment and tragedy.
• The American Dream: Fitzgerald frequently examines the pursuit and corruption of the American Dream, particularly how it becomes intertwined with material wealth and social status, often at the cost of genuine happiness or morality.
• Class and Social Divide: The collection highlights the vast chasm between the wealthy elite and other social classes, exploring how money dictates opportunities, relationships, and even justice.
• Youth and Disillusionment: A recurring theme is the loss of innocence and the disillusionment of the young generation following World War I, grappling with a changed world and often finding purpose elusive.
• The Nature of Identity: Stories like "The Curious Case of Benjamin Button" and "The Diamond as Big as the Ritz" delve into the fluidity and strangeness of identity when confronted with extraordinary circumstances.
• Love and Sacrifice: Fitzgerald explores various facets of love, from passionate infatuation to selfless sacrifice, often demonstrating its fragility in the face of societal pressures or personal tragedy.

Curiosities:

• Autobiographical Elements: Like much of Fitzgerald's work, Tales of the Jazz Age contains subtle autobiographical elements. For instance, "May Day" reflects his observations of social unrest and the contrast between wealth and poverty in New York, while the character of Mr. Icky in "Mr. Icky" is a humorous self-parody of his own literary aspirations and interactions with critics.
• Variety of Styles: The collection showcases Fitzgerald's experimental side, ranging from the realistic social commentary of "May Day" to the pure fantasy of "The Curious Case of Benjamin Button" and the one-act play format of "Porcelain and Pink." This demonstrates his versatility beyond just being a chronicler of the Jazz Age.
• "The Diamond as Big as the Ritz" Inspiration: The fantastical premise of a diamond mountain is thought to have been inspired by stories Fitzgerald heard about vast, hidden fortunes and the extreme measures people would take to protect them. It's often seen as a dark fable about the dangers of unchecked wealth.
• Popularity and Impact: Tales of the Jazz Age was a popular collection, helping to solidify Fitzgerald's reputation as the voice of the era. The term "Jazz Age" itself was largely popularized by Fitzgerald, especially through this collection and his novels.
• Film Adaptations: "The Curious Case of Benjamin Button" was famously adapted into a major motion picture in 2008, starring Brad Pitt and Cate Blanchett, directed by David Fincher.