OH, GOOD, WE HAVE SOME FASCINATING REMARKS ABOUT THE STORY. THE TITLE! Did Fitzgerald make it confusing on purpose? To pull in curious readers? Are titles important in publication of a book or story or does the author himself bring in readers. Which do you look for in choosing a book to read?
Thanks so much for your interpretations,
JOANK, ordinarily I don’t like short stories, but they are a change from a book,and, as you say, they give your small doses of a life; a life that could be anyone’s life I think. Don’t any of you know someone who is addicted to alcohol, possibly beyond help? I had a brother-in-law who died too young who fit that pattern. It was terrible for my sister who three times attempted to divorce, but never could bring herself to complete it. I wonder if AA was around when Fitzgerald was alive; would he have used it do you think? Did he ever attempt to stop drinking?
I think Zelda drank also, but I'm not sure of my facts here. I must do some research. It's always sad to think of mental institutions of the past where patients were locked up, many of them for life.
“It had been given, even the most wildly squandered sum, as an offering to destiny that he might not remember the things most worth remembering……” Great sentence.
JUDE, thanks for the history and I agree it is a superb story, a tragic one - “a truthful story of how our past interferes with our present intentions.” Our past constantly is catching with us in one way or another., it seems to me. Particularly, as we get older and the memories resurface, we are not so busy, we reflect.
PATH: I remember reading about Jospephine Baker who couldn’t make it in a racially segregated America but was a sensation overseas. You didn’t like THE GREAT GATSBY - you probably did not see the movie either, did you? I thought Leonarda DeCaprio (what a name) was terrific in it, but I think the rest of it was poor. We have done it to its death I think. Enough.
That bookstore, Barbara, must have some meaning for you? Charlie remembered it as his cab rolled down one of his favorite avenues.
CHARLIE, such an American name, rather like Joe, isn’t it? DUNCAN and LORRAINE, formal names, I don’t know if that has any symbolism in the story or not.
Tomorrow let’s pick the story apart; I'm rather late for dinner tonight.