How might the Fitzgeralds' public and private lives been different if they'd lived today? Would the media care as much about them?
Created: 03/08/13
Replies: 9
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Join Date: 03/25/13
Posts: 46
This is a good question and one I was just pondering this morning as I was reading the book. I think that Zelda would be working so she wouldn't rely on Scott to provide her with "a life." Zelda would also be an author and a painter possibly. Scott's narcissism would wear on Zelda and they might be divorced. I actually think that perhaps Zelda might have ended up the more talented of the couple. To borrow Ms. Sandberg's phrase - Zelda would lean in and Scott might be the stay at home dad. How about that!
Join Date: 06/15/11
Posts: 222
You know, probably not much different in volatility. I agree with SusanC that Zelda's path to artistic freedom would have been much easier. I don't think they would have ever married -- probably just lived together until they imploded. Most likely would never have had a child. I doubt the group of writers would have all been traveling and living in Europe as they did at the time and would have had much less social time together so possibly all the jealousies might not have existed. I think a strong agent and publishing house would have been good for Scott's career -- might have kept him in line a little better.
Join Date: 01/29/13
Posts: 45
I don't know that their public lives would have been so different. Certainly celebrities are harassed constantly by the media. Everything they do is under a microscope and publicized. Frankly, I think the paparazzi would have had a field day with the Fitzgeralds'.
Join Date: 01/31/13
Posts: 110
The Fitzgeralds' public life would have been similar I would expect but the private struggles of Zelda would have been far different. She seems to be a woman born too early. Her independence and talents would have been much more appreciated. Some things never change with publicity as roseannes suggests. Even today people seem to love a celebrity train wreck.
Join Date: 03/24/13
Posts: 11
Join Date: 06/13/11
Posts: 102
I think they would have been on the TV entertainment shows every night and their foibles eaten up by the public. They would be in and out of rehab and been accepted and celebrated by people that love to hear about how the rich and famous live. I agree that they would have a reality show.
Join Date: 04/12/12
Posts: 294
I'm sure they would be in the tabloids, followed around by cameramen, and exploited. Scott may even have agreed to have a reality TV show about A Great Writer's Life. Zelda would still suffer under Scott's control, but she would have many other resources for her own support and the world would want to read her writings, see her paintings, and watch her on Dancing with the Stars. She would have divorced Scott.
Join Date: 05/15/11
Posts: 48
Join Date: 04/02/13
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