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F. Scott Fitzgerald was born in Minnesota in 1896, just as Nick Carraway from Great Gatsby was born in the Midwest.
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In 1917, after attending Princeton for a couple years, Fitzgerald dropped out to join the army.
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While in the army, FItzgerald met his future wife Zelda Sayre. At the time, however, Fitzgerald did not have money to marry Zelda. There are parallels between Fitzgerald and Gatsby, as Gatsby met Daisy while in the Army.
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In 1920, FItzgerald published his first novel titled This Side of Paradise. This novel was very popular, and Fitzgerald became an instantaneous celebrity, finally securing the funds necessary to marry Zelda. FItzgerald drew inspiration for the Great Gatsby during this time in his life, as he went from living a modest lifestyle to living in luxury, much like many of the "newly rich" inhabitants of the West Egg.
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In 1922, Fitzgerald published his second novel, The Beautiful and the Damned. This novel helped substantiate Fitzgerald's status as a celebrity in the 1920's. FItzgerald is able to accurately portray the culture of the 1920's in the Great Gatsby because he was a large part of it.
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In 1925, Fitzgerald published his most acclaimed novel, The Great Gatsby.
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In 1934 Fitzgerald published his fourth and final novel, Tender is the Night. This novel was considered a widespread failure. At this time in his life, Fitzgerald had fallen victim to the vice of alcohol and had become depressed. His life during this time relfects the downfall of the American Dream that was discussed in Great Gatsby.
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On December 21, 1940, FItzgerald died of a heart attack. Though none of his literary works received more than commerical success while he was living, his books have since influenced many people.
