Zu: F. Scott Fitzgerald´s "The Ice Palace" - A Story of Initiation

Dossier / Travail de Séminaire , 1994 , 35 Pages , Note: Good

Philologie Américaine - Littérature

There are many things that can be said about Fitzgerald, like about most people who make themselves known by the artistic craft. He is above all the first person who comes to mind talking about literature in the Twenties. Owing to his novels and stories where he captured the nostalgia, the spirit of that time is still very vivid even in our modern era.
In his narrative "The Ice Palace" which appeared in the short story collection "Flappers and Philosophers" in 1920, the reader is introduced to the problem of mental and emotional difference of people living in the Nothern and Southern American states. Fitzgerald thematizes several different problems in his short story but the main and crucial theme we discover, which at the same time is the topic of this analyis, is the quest for identity of the female protagonist.

Inhaltsverzeichnis (Table of Contents)

• I. Introduction :
  • The "Roaring Twenties"-A Mythical Time of Transition in Literature and Society
    • Social Developments
    • Literary Developments
• II. The Twenties and the Short Story
• III. Fitzgerald's "Ice Palace" or The Quest for Identity
  • At Home in Paradise
  • In the Land of the Snow Queen
  • The Ice Palace - Climax and Symbol of Death
  • Back to Paradise
• IV. Conclusion

Zielsetzung und Themenschwerpunkte (Objectives and Key Themes)

This paper aims to analyze F. Scott Fitzgerald's short story "Ice Palace" within the context of the "Roaring Twenties" and explore the theme of identity formation during this period of significant social and cultural change.

• The "Roaring Twenties" as a period of transition in American society and literature.
• The role of the "flapper" in challenging traditional gender roles.
• The impact of social and economic changes on the moral landscape of the era.
• Fitzgerald's exploration of identity and disillusionment in "Ice Palace."
• The symbolic significance of the "Ice Palace" as a representation of unattainable dreams and the loss of innocence.

Zusammenfassung der Kapitel (Chapter Summaries)

• I. Introduction: This chapter provides an overview of the "Roaring Twenties," highlighting key social and literary developments. It examines the rise of the "flapper" as a symbol of changing gender roles and the emergence of new cultural trends like jazz music and the cinema.
• II. The Twenties and the Short Story: This chapter delves into the literary landscape of the era, emphasizing the shift towards a more experimental and outspoken approach to writing. The chapter explores the influence of authors like D.H. Lawrence and the growing acceptance of more explicit themes in literature.
• III. Fitzgerald's "Ice Palace" or The Quest for Identity: This chapter focuses on the analysis of Fitzgerald's short story "Ice Palace." It examines the protagonist's journey of self-discovery and explores themes of love, desire, and the struggle to reconcile personal aspirations with societal expectations.

Schlüsselwörter (Keywords)

The key concepts explored in this paper include the "Roaring Twenties," the "flapper," social change, gender roles, identity formation, disillusionment, and literary symbolism. These concepts are further analyzed through the lens of F. Scott Fitzgerald's short story "Ice Palace," which serves as a case study for understanding the complex social and psychological landscape of this pivotal era in American history.

• Université: University of Frankfurt (Main) (Institute for England - und American Studies)
• Note: Good
• Auteur: Didem Oktay (Auteur)
• Année de publication: 1994
• Pages: 35
• N° de catalogue: V4301
• ISBN (ebook): 9783638126656
• ISBN (Livre): 9783638638579
• Langue: anglais
• mots-clé: Scott, Fitzgerald´s, Palace, Story, Initiation