F. Scott Fitzgerald

F. Scott Fitzgerald is considered by many to be one of the greatest writers of the 20th. Century.  It is interesting to note that his parents noticed a writing ability in him early in his life.  They proceeded to send him to the best Catholic schools.  He attended Princeton University but he never graduated.  It is there where he learned to drink heavily.  He became an alcoholic.  He courted a wealthy woman.  He fell in love with her, but she would not marry him unless he became wealthy.  This drove him to work hard and write his best.  He wrote a masterpiece.  He earned a great deal of money from the novel.  The woman married him.  They lived the "high life," but it didn't last. He wrote more great works.  But he was under pressure.  His health failed him. His wife had a mental breakdown. He died of a heart attack on December 21, 1940 at the age of 44.  I do not necessarily agree with the way he lived his life, nor do I consider his alcoholism a sign of being a "free thinker," and I would have liked a discussion with him about the quote below.   Nevertheless,   he achieved literary greatness, and I give him his due. 


 "Either you think -- or else others have to think for you and take power from you, pervert and discipline your natural tastes, civilize and sterilize you."
 F. Scott Fitzgerald
(1896-1940)