Babylon was an ancient, prosperous city of the Near East, Associated by the Hebrews and Greeks with materialism and pursuit of sensual pleasure; here, referring to Paris, where the story is set in the aftermath of the stock market crash of 1929. (p. 1658, The Norton Anthology of American Literature; Volume D) This title alone informs the reader of the lifestyle lead by Charles J. Wales; known as Charlie in the book. Charlie was a high roller before the stock market crash of 1929. He had money, so much in fact that he threw it around as though it were nothing. .
The Review of the Literature.
Charles J. Wales lived a reckless and wild life prior to the crash of 1929. He lost more than money during the crash; he lost his wife to a grave in Vermont, and his daughter to his sister in-law, Marion. However, Charlie has succeeded in turning his life around. In spite of this fact he still does not have custody of his daughter, Honoria; Marion does. Marion is unable to forget the past, and move forward. She denies Charlie and Honoria the chance they both desire, and deserve to be a family.
Charles J. Wales: The Father.
Charlie lived his life prior to the stock market crash as a man, who other men did not realize that he even had a child. He is a man who's wife is dead, and a father, who does not have custody of his child. In beginning of the story Charlie is visiting with a bartender about people he use to run around with. When the bartender inquires on how long will he be in town? Charlie replies, " I"m here for four or five days to see my little girl." (p. 1659, The Norton Anthology of American Literature; Volume D) The bartender who seems to have known Charlie quite well responds, "Oh-h! You have a little girl." (p. 1659, The Norton Anthology of American Literature; Volume D) This gives the reader the first impression about what kind of father Charlie was. He does seem somewhat reformed though. Charlie only allows himself to have one drink a day.
Scott Fitzgerald puts together a charming and unique story; "Babylon Revisited." ... In "Babylon Revisited, the author shows how difficult it is to break of the cycle of addiction and start a new life. ... Scott Fitzgerald, "Babylon Revisited", Literature, Ed. ...
The title, "Babylon Revisited" is an essential tool in building the theme of Fitzgerald's short story because it gives the reader additional insight into the life that once thrived in Paris. By naming the short story, "Babylon Revisited", the author subtly compares the city of Paris, the actual city in which the main character, Charlie, is visiting, to the great city of Babylon. ... By using, "Babylon", Fitzgerald immediately characterizes Paris as a city of wealth, power, and sin, and by revisiting Babylon, Fitzgerald provides the reader with a more in-depth insight into the meaning of C...
The title, "Babylon Revisited" is an essential tool in building the theme of Fitzgerald's short story because it gives the reader additional insight into the life that once thrived in Paris. By naming the short story, "Babylon Revisited", the author subtly compares the city of Paris, the actual city in which the main character, Charlie, is visiting, to the great city of Babylon. ... By using, "Babylon", Fitzgerald immediately characterizes Paris as a city of wealth, power, and sin, and by revisiting Babylon, Fitzgerald provides the reader with a more in-depth insight into the meaning of C...
Babylon Revisited In the story "Babylon Revisited" by F. Scott Fitzgerald, a man comes to reality with his past and present struggles. The story is set in Paris, in the Jazz Era. Fitzgerald writes about how Charlie over comes his fight with alcohol and then returns to Paris to reclaim his daughte...
Marion and Charlie's relationship in "Babylon Revisited" seems to be the internal conflict between the rich and the poor in the depression. ... Until he lost "everything [he] wanted in the boom", his world, wife, money, and then his daughter (Fitzgerald Babylon 229). ... Through his character, an "awfully anxious [man] to have a home" can be seen who is trying to find a place where love is present in a loveless world (Fitzgerald Babylon 219). ... She had "forgotten how hard [Charlie] worked for seven years"; "she only remembers one night (Fitzgerald Babylon 224). ... Marion, because of al...
Revisited," a man named Charlie Wales has come back to Paris with the intent of regaining custody of his nine year old daughter. She has been staying with her aunt and uncle since the death of her mother. Being in Paris brings back memories of his previous lifestyle of drinking, late night socializi...
F. Scott Fitzgerald "F. Scott Fitzgerald was the leading writer of America's Jazz Age...and one of its glittering heroes"(ENC 190) in writing novels and short stories. Fitzgerald captured the minds of those who were cheaply entertained. His complicated life lived with an obsession of money mixed...
