Holiday Gift Guide Tender Is The Night" And F. Scott Fitzgerald's Sentimental Identities Accessory [NAdM2l6g]

Unveiling the Sentimental Depths of "Tender Is the Night"

In this profound study, "“Tender Is the Night” and F. Scott Fitzgerald's Sentimental Identities" by Chris Messenger, readers are taken on a captivating journey into the literary mastermind of American fiction. Messenger reveals that sentimentality was not just a byproduct for Fitzgerald but a defining characteristic of his work. This book is a testament to Fitzgerald's skillful manipulation of sentiment in his writing, illustrating how it shaped his profound impact on modern American literature.

Tracing the Roots of Fitzgerald's Sentimental Identity

Messenger delves into the origins of Fitzgerald's writing career, tracing it back to the tragic loss of his two infant sisters. This loss, Messenger argues, was the catalyst that propelled Fitzgerald into a life of writing. The author examines the profound influence of this loss on Fitzgerald's portrayal of maternal nurturing and sympathy in "Tender Is the Night," particularly in the character of psychiatrist Dick Diver. Through a detailed exploration of Fitzgerald's personal life and his relationship with his wife, Zelda Sayre Fitzgerald, the book offers a deep insight into the emotional turmoil that fueled his literary achievements.

Fitzgerald's Aesthetic and Emotional Preoccupations

Despite sentimentality being discredited in high modernism, Fitzgerald embraced it as a vital element in "Tender Is the Night," creating a poignant and beautiful sequel to "The Great Gatsby." Messenger shows how Fitzgerald's exploration of sentimentality in this novel not only underscores his emotional preoccupations but also allowed him to complete a masterful work of fiction. Through the character of Nicole Warren Diver, a victim of paternal incest, Fitzgerald found the sentimental key to finishing his novel and uniting the narratives of his lost sisters and the struggle of his marriage. This study not only validates Fitzgerald's career but also positions "Tender Is the Night" alongside "The Great Gatsby" as a classic of American literature.