F. Scott Fitzgerald is one of the most important writers of the 20th century. A writer who made a sensation, especially in the 1920s, when he and his wife Zelda were regarded by the public as celebrities. That crazy era, when Fitzgerald was in the midst of it all, gave the writer a lot of material, which he did not fail to use. So he gave us four complete novels and many short stories. One of these short stories is "Babylon Revisited" which has quite a few autobiographical elements.

Charlie Wales, an American who has lived the good life in Paris, the era when he had countless money and took out as much from the casino, returns to the City of Light but not to the old habits. He has now quit drinking and bad habits, has built a quiet life in Prague, and hopes to regain the custody of his nine-year-old daughter, who now lives with the family of his wife's sister.

However, no matter how much he has fought with the demon called alcohol, the trust of his in-laws is not something that will be easily won. Although he believes that he has succeeded and has shown how much he has changed and how much he wants to be a good father to his daughter, his past will come, uninvited, to pull him back. But he must continue to try!

“Babylon Revisited”: A Portrait of the Vulnerable Man

F. Scott Fitzgerald is renowned for his remarkable talent in portraying the intricate inner world of human beings. In “Babylon Revisited,” he delves deep into the subconscious elements of the human mind, presenting a complex and tragic character, Charlie Wales.

Charlie Wales, a once-profligate man, has achieved financial success again after an economic crisis. He returns to Paris from Prague, hoping to regain custody of his daughter, Honoria, who is being cared for by Marion and Lincoln Peters. Marion, however, is reluctant to trust Charlie due to his dissipated past and blames him for her sister’s death.

Despite Charlie’s efforts to prove his reform, such as his moderation in drinking and sincere attitude, there are numerous contradictions in his behavior. For instance, he inquiries about his old friends at the Ritz bar, yet when he actually meets them, he seems surprised and outraged. This suggests that his subconscious still has an attraction to his past life.

Moreover, Charlie’s actions as a father are also contradictory. While he tries to appear as a patient, tolerant, and kind father, the readers are aware that he has left his daughter alone in Paris for a year and a half after his wife’s death. His longing for a warm and comfortable home life, as represented by the Peters’ family, further reveals his vulnerability and inner turmoil.

In conclusion, “Babylon Revisited” is a powerful exploration of the human mind’s ability to delude itself. Charlie Wales’ ambivalence and self-justification lead to his tragic downfall. Fitzgerald’s masterful portrayal of Charlie’s character serves as a reminder of the ultimate vulnerability within each of us.

The story also raises questions about the nature of reform and the difficulty of truly changing one’s past. Can a person ever completely break free from their old habits and mistakes? Or are we doomed to repeat them, no matter how hard we try? These are the profound themes that “Babylon Revisited” explores, making it a timeless and thought-provoking piece of literature.

As readers, we are left to wonder what the future holds for Charlie Wales. Will he be able to overcome his inner demons and truly reform? Or will he continue to be trapped in his cycle of self-recrimination and delusion? Only time will tell, and perhaps, like Charlie, we too must face our own contradictions and vulnerabilities in order to find true redemption.

This is quite different from Fitzgerald’s other stories.

Unlike his more well-known works that often explore themes of wealth, love, and the American Dream in a more glamorous and decadent setting, this particular story takes a unique turn.

It delves into a different aspect of human nature and relationships, presenting a more nuanced and perhaps even darker picture.

The characters are complex and multi-dimensional, with their own flaws and desires.

The plot unfolds in a way that keeps the reader engaged and on the edge of their seat, constantly wondering what will happen next.

Despite its differences from his other works, I really enjoyed it.

It offered a fresh perspective and challenged my expectations, making me appreciate Fitzgerald’s versatility as a writer even more.

It was a captivating read that left a lasting impression on me.

In this 1931 story, there is a great deal of confession. Charlie Walles, an American living in Prague, returns to Paris to take with him the daughter who was left in the care of her uncles after she lost her mother.

I appreciate male characters and am sensitive to the themes addressed: decadence, regret, alcoholism, the search for redemption, and the price paid for eccentricity. In Scott Fitzgerald, even a diamond the size of the Ritz can be reduced to dust.

Charlie Walles revisits a Paris that represents the ruins of his extravagant past and the consequences of his actions. The bar of the Hotel Ritz had once again belonged to France and was no longer an American bar where he had once felt like the owner - before the fall of the New York Stock Exchange.

"As he drove along the Left Bank and felt its sudden provincialism, he thought: I've spoiled this city for myself. I didn't realize it, but the days were running by, one after another, two years passed and everything was over, including me."

It had been good while it lasted; the Americans were a kind of royalty with an aura of beauty and magic. "It ended as quickly as it began."

Charlie Walles is an alcoholic but now sober. Will his in-laws hand over the custody of his daughter to him?

"One day he would come back; they couldn't force him to pay forever. He wanted his daughter and nothing else mattered. He was no longer young, able to sustain himself alone with beautiful dreams and thoughts. He was absolutely certain that Helen [the daughter's mother] would not like to see him alone."

Fitzgerald portrayed his characters with realism and depth within a lifestyle that was also his own but gave them a certain immunity, without pity but also without punishment.

Charlie had once been a wild spender, blowing through all his money. He had also drowned his sorrows in alcohol, drinking himself into a state of oblivion. Then, the 1929 stock market crash had come, hitting him hard.

Now, he has returned to Paris, determined to get his daughter Honoria back. It is evident that he loves her deeply, and she loves him too and desires to be with him. However, he faces a significant challenge - he must convince her guardians to release her into his care.

Thankfully, Charlie has managed to regain his financial stability. His drinking is now seemingly under control, with him limiting himself to just one whisky a day. He has also cut off all ties with his past reckless social life and acquaintances.

Adding any more details would truly spoil this exquisitely constructed and superbly well-written story. The ending, in particular, had a profound impact on me, leaving me with a mix of emotions and a sense of wonder at the author's skill.

It is a story that showcases the power of redemption, love, and the human spirit's ability to overcome even the most difficult of circumstances.

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7 Short Stories

Fitzgerald's collection of short stories offers a diverse range of narratives.

Although some of the plots may lack strength, his writing style is truly captivating and manages to enhance the overall experience.

The individual ratings provide an interesting insight into each story.

"Bernice Bobs Her Hair" and "The Ice Palace" both receive a rating of 3.

"The Curious Case of Benjamin Button" and "Winter Dreams" score a 4,展现出 more engaging storylines.

"The Baby Party" is the least favorite with a rating of 3.

"The Last of the Belles" also earns a 4.

"Babylon Revisited" is the clear favorite, receiving a well-deserved 4.

Overall, Fitzgerald's short stories are a must-read for fans of his unique writing and the exploration of different themes and characters.

FSF has presented us with three equally excellent short stories. Each one is a gem, filled with unique characters, engaging plots, and thought-provoking themes.

The first story takes us on a thrilling adventure, keeping us on the edge of our seats from start to finish. The second story delves deep into the human psyche, exploring emotions and relationships in a way that is both profound and relatable.

And the third story offers a fresh perspective on a common topic, leaving us with a newfound appreciation for the world around us.

It's no wonder that FSF is quickly becoming one of my favourite authors. His writing is masterful, and his ability to craft such diverse and captivating stories is truly remarkable. I can't wait to see what he has in store for us next.

I'm not a die-hard Fitzgerald fan.

His works are somewhat readable, yet in this particular piece, not a whole lot seems to occur. The narrative lacks a certain degree of excitement and action that would truly engage the reader.

Moreover, the ending is rather ambiguous. It leaves the reader with more questions than answers, and doesn't provide a clear sense of resolution or closure.

This ambiguity can be both a strength and a weakness. On one hand, it allows for different interpretations and encourages the reader to think more deeply about the story. On the other hand, it can be frustrating for those who prefer a more straightforward and conclusive ending.

Overall, while Fitzgerald's writing has its merits, this particular work didn't quite hit the mark for me.

The present was the thing—work to do and someone to love (25). This simple yet profound statement encapsulates the essence of Fitzgerald's later works. I have read numerous Fitzgerald short stories over the years, but these particular ones hold a unique place at the end of his career. Ranging from "The Cut-Glass Bowl" (Jan. 1928) to some of his final contributions like "Babylon Revisited" (Feb. 1931) and "The Lost Decade" (Dec. 1939).

Here, Fitzgerald delves deep into the concept of lost time. The allure of the carefree 1920s, which now seems like a ghostly presence, lingers even after the financial crash of 1929. For those familiar with Fitzgerald's life, "Babylon Revisited" is strikingly autobiographical. It reflects his complex feelings towards his daughter, Scottie, his estrangement from his wife Zelda and her erratic behavior. Additionally, Fitzgerald contemplates the damaging effects of alcoholism. His own father was an alcoholic, and he unfortunately found himself repeating the same pattern under duress. Between 1933 and 1937, Scott was hospitalized for alcoholism eight times and even served time in jail on multiple occasions.

"The Cut-Glass Bowl" offers a distinct sensibility compared to most of his other works. It incorporates elements of Poe and Charlotte Perkins Gilman's "The Yellow Wallpaper," combining Fitzgerald's characteristic understanding of human psychology with a Gothic emphasis on a "cursed" object that haunts. "The Lost Decade" with its sense of dazed passage, a decade lost to drink, then instills a newfound gratitude in its protagonist for the daily sensations and rhythm of living, balancing melancholy and hope. It serves as a fitting swan song for Fitzgerald to pen before his untimely death in 1940.

In 1939, Fitzgerald wrote a poignant letter to his daughter: "Anyhow I am alive again—getting by that October did something—with all its strains and necessities and humiliations and struggles. I don’t drink. I am not a great man, but sometimes, I think the impersonal and objective quality of my talent, and the sacrifices of it, in pieces, to preserve its essential value has some sort of epic grandeur. Anyhow after hours I nurse myself with delusions of that sort." This letter provides a glimpse into his inner turmoil and his unwavering belief in his talent.

This is an outstanding story that delves into the cost of regret and the intense desire to reverse one's past,不惜一切代价. The fact that it is strongly autobiographical makes the writing even more tragic, considering that FSC didn't entirely manage to rectify the course of his life. This story can be regarded as his "Statement of Purpose".

On a more surface level, the allure of Paris as a former city of sin, as depicted in this new Babylon, makes the tale powerfully evocative. The description of the city's decadence and vice adds a captivating element to the narrative.

FSC's remarkable ability to penetrate beneath human motivation is truly impressive. He shows how altruism can sometimes mask poorly controlled resentment, and how deeply ingrained frustrations can be redirected onto different and liberating paths. For me, this aspect of the story earns it the fifth star. It offers a profound and thought-provoking exploration of the human psyche.

This is my second encounter with F Scott Fitzgerald. The first one was The Great Gatsby, which is one of my all-time favorite books.

This short story, however, feels very distinct from The Great Gatsby. It somehow evokes A Moveable Feast, albeit in a very different context. One is set before and the other after the Wall Street Crash of 1929.

“It was nice while it lasted… We were a sort of royalty, almost infallible, with a sort of magic around us.”

I read this short story with a longing for the past that matched the narrator's own. A Moveable Feast (also among my favorites) painted such a vivid picture of Paris that I almost feel as if I've lived there. And this story, much sadder after the 1929 crash, is equally vivid. It's truly astonishing how much emotion and detail great writers can pack into such short stories. I believe this story will stay with me. Not only because of its rich setting that can make you completely forget you're in 2022, but also because of the complex family relations it portrays.