Tales of the Jazz Age
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Author Description
'I tender these tales of the Jazz Age into the hands of those who read as they run and run as they read.' Tales of the Jazz Age (1922) was Fitzgerald's second collection of short stories, and it contains some of the best examples of his talent as a writer of short fiction. Often overshadowed by his major novels, Fitzgerald's short stories demonstrate the same originality and inventive range, as he chronicles with wry and astute observation the temper of the hedonistic 1920s. In 'May Day' and 'The Diamond as Big as the Ritz', two of his greatest stories, he conjures up the spirit of the age; in other stories he adopts a variety of forms - parody, a one-act play, fantasy - with unrivalled versatility. 'The Curious Case of Benjamin Button', a tale of a man living his life backwards, features among the 'Fantasies' in Fitzgerald's self-deprecatory Table of Contents, alongside the groupings 'My Last Flappers' and 'Unclassified Masterpieces'. In these eleven stories, Fitzgerald establishes the style that was to make him one of the greatest American writers of the twentieth-century. ABOUT THE SERIES: For over 100 years Oxford World's Classics has made available the widest range of literature from around the globe. Each affordable volume reflects Oxford's commitment to scholarship, providing the most accurate text plus a wealth of other valuable features, including expert introductions by leading authorities, helpful notes to clarify the text, up-to-date bibliographies for further study, and much more.
Menrva's Summary
THE PULSE
This collection captures the volatile spirit and social contradictions of the American 1920s through a series of eleven distinct short stories. Fitzgerald presents a variety of protagonists navigating the hedonistic landscape of the Jazz Age, ranging from socialites and flappers to individuals caught in extraordinary circumstances. The narrative framework shifts frequently, utilizing third-person observation, parody, and dramatic dialogue to examine the era's preoccupation with status, wealth, and fleeting youth. These stories function as a mirror to the period, testing the moral and logical boundaries of characters who often find themselves at odds with the rigid expectations of their social circles.
INSIDE THE PAGES
- Inclusion of the iconic fantasy narrative regarding a man aging in reverse.
- Utilization of diverse literary forms including parody and one-act plays.
- Categorization of stories into thematic groupings such as 'My Last Flappers' and 'Fantasies'.
- Exploration of the hedonistic social climate of the early twentieth century.
- Sharp, observant prose detailing the manners and anxieties of the era.
- Integration of satirical elements to critique contemporary social structures.
- Varied pacing that shifts between lighthearted social commentary and darker, more introspective themes.
- Scholarly apparatus including expert introductions and historical notes.
THE COLLECTIVE ECHO
Readers and critics frequently observe that these stories provide a vital window into the stylistic evolution of Fitzgerald as a writer. Discussion often centers on the contrast between the author's well-known novels and the experimental nature of his shorter works. Many highlight the versatility displayed in the collection, noting how the shift between fantasy and realism keeps the reading experience varied. The collection is often cited for its ability to preserve the specific cultural atmosphere of the 1920s without relying solely on the tropes found in his longer fiction. Scholars emphasize that the inclusion of critical notes in this edition aids in understanding the historical context behind the author's creative choices.
Page Count:
297
Publication Date:
2012-01-01
Publisher:
OUP Oxford
ISBN-10:
0191627348
ISBN-13:
9780191627347
Fiction
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Jazz Age
American
Short Stories
Classic Literature
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