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Z: A Novel of Zelda Fitzgerald


A novel that is as heartbreaking as it is mesmerizing.
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Why do you think Zelda blamed Hemingway for the mess Scott and she made of their lives?

Created: 03/08/13

Replies: 9

Posted Mar. 08, 2013 Go to Top | Go to bottom | link | alert

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Posts: 0

Why do you think Zelda blamed Hemingway for the mess Scott and she made of their lives?

Zelda believed Ernest Hemingway was the reason she and Scott made a mess of their lives. Why do you think she thought this? Was she correct?


Posted Mar. 25, 2013 Go to Top | Go to bottom | link | alert
janeh

Join Date: 06/15/11

Posts: 222

RE: Why do you think Zelda blamed Hemingway for the mess Scott and she made of their lives?

She had to blame someone -- they were both too egotistical and immature to take responsibility for their own recklessness. Plus, she always thought Hemingway had it out for her because she refused to have an affair with him.


Posted Mar. 25, 2013 Go to Top | Go to bottom | link | alert
cherylk

Join Date: 05/16/11

Posts: 17

RE: Why do you think Zelda blamed Hemingway for the mess Scott and she made of their lives?

Janeh brings up a good point. Keeping in mind that this is a novel, I wondered if Zelda truly had been propositioned by Hemingway or it was something occuring in her delusional state.


Posted Mar. 26, 2013 Go to Top | Go to bottom | link | alert
joanp

Join Date: 06/13/11

Posts: 102

RE: Why do you think Zelda blamed Hemingway for the mess Scott and she made of their lives?

Hemingway took advantage of Scott's friendship and once he was famous discarded Scott and mocked him. Hemingway was a womanizing chauvinist and because Scott admired him he was led on many adventures that Zelda couldn't put up with. Heminway's success had a negative effect on Scott. Where Hemingway was productive and focused, Scott struggled with deadlines and had to write magazine stories to support his family. I think the Fitzgeralds were well on the road to destruction before Hemingway entered their lives but his entry sped them along.


Posted Mar. 26, 2013 Go to Top | Go to bottom | link | alert
joanp

Join Date: 06/13/11

Posts: 102

RE: Why do you think Zelda blamed Hemingway for the mess Scott and she made of their lives?

Hemingway took advantage of Scott's friendship and once he was famous discarded Scott and mocked him. Hemingway was a womanizing chauvinist and because Scott admired him he was led on many adventures that Zelda couldn't put up with. Heminway's success had a negative effect on Scott. Where Hemingway was productive and focused, Scott struggled with deadlines and had to write magazine stories to support his family. I think the Fitzgeralds were well on the road to destruction before Hemingway entered their lives but his entry sped them along.


Posted Mar. 26, 2013 Go to Top | Go to bottom | link | alert
bevula

Join Date: 10/18/10

Posts: 40

RE: Why do you think Zelda blamed Hemingway for the mess Scott and she made of their lives?

I think she believes that they could have 'turned it around' if not for the pressure of Hemingway's obnoxious friendship and success (constantly rubbing Scott's ego into the ground). Blaming him is wrong, of course, because her & Scott made their own choices. Doesn't make Hemingway any less despicable.

Doesn't Zelda say at one point that she didn't tell Scott about Hemingway hitting on her because she was afraid Scott would chose Hemingway over her?

It's likely that she's angry at her husband for being friends with this man who treated her badly, then bad-mouths her every chance he gets. Even if Hemingway hadn't hit on her - why would she be okay with her husband letting his 'best friend' insult his wife all the time? I'd be seriously pissed off.


Posted Mar. 27, 2013 Go to Top | Go to bottom | link | alert
joycew

Join Date: 06/13/11

Posts: 107

RE: Why do you think Zelda blamed Hemingway for the mess Scott and she made of their lives?

While Scott was controlling Z, Hemingway was controlling Scott. Scott was easily led into drinking and discussions at the expense of writing. Hemingway was able to do both. Z knew he was a bad influence on Scott and was not a true friend because his ego would always come first.


Posted Apr. 02, 2013 Go to Top | Go to bottom | link | alert
dianac

Join Date: 04/02/13

Posts: 91

RE: Why do you think Zelda blamed Hemingway for the mess Scott and she made of their lives?

She blamed him because she and Scott could not take responsibility for themselves. It was always somehow the fault of someone or something else.


Posted Apr. 10, 2013 Go to Top | Go to bottom | link | alert
carmen s

Join Date: 04/27/11

Posts: 33

RE: Why do you think Zelda blamed Hemingway for the mess Scott and she made of their lives?

I think she had to blame someone. She couldn't blame herself or Scott.


Posted Apr. 10, 2013 Go to Top | Go to bottom | link | alert
MarieA

Join Date: 10/12/11

Posts: 256

RE: Why do you think Zelda blamed Hemingway for the mess Scott and she made of their lives?

With freedom comes personal responsibility. Scott and Zelda exercised freedom but often shirked personal responsibility. If one is not mature enough to exercise control; then, if one fails, it's easier to blame someone else for the failure. So Hemingway was IT.


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