Babylon Revisited

"Babylon Revisited" is a short story by F. Scott Fitzgerald written in 1930. It first appeared in The Saturday Evening Post on February 21, 1931. "Babylon Revisited" tells the tale of Charles Wales, a former stockbroker who is trying to regain custody of his daughter, Honoria, after a period of financial and personal turmoil. Set in the aftermath of the stock market crash of 1929, the story follows Wales as he navigates the challenges and setbacks of trying to rebuild his life and relationships, all while struggling with his addiction to alcohol. Through Wales's journey, Fitzgerald explores themes of excess and addiction, the importance of family and relationships, and the need for personal growth and change.

“Babylon Revisited”
Author	F. Scott Fitzgerald
Country	United States
Language	English
Published in	The Saturday Evening Post
Publication type	Magazine
Publication date	1931

Characters

Charlie Wales

Charlie Wales, 35, the story’s protagonist, has come to Paris from Prague to regain custody of his daughter, Honoria, from his sister-in-law.

Helen Wales

Charlie’s dead wife and mother of Honoria. Helen and Charlie shared a drinking problem during the course of their relationship. She passed away due to heart troubles because of a dreadful situation that happened with Charlie. She suffered with pneumonia when Charlie locked her out in a snowstorm, and inevitably died shortly afterwards.

Honoria Wales

Honoria is the daughter of Charlie Wales and his deceased wife, Helen. She is also one of the three children that live in the Peters' house.

Marion Peters

Marion is a tall woman with worried eyes. She is the sister-in-law to Charlie Wales and sister to the deceased, Helen. She is the antagonist who stands in the way of Charlie getting his daughter back, who she has full custody over.

Lincoln Peters

Lincoln is married to Marion Wales and shares custody of Honoria. He is sympathetic for Charlie wants him to be able to have custody of Honoria.

Lorraine Quarrles

Lorraine, “a lovely, pale blonde of thirty,” is a friend of Charlie’s from his past. She likely had an affair with Charlie.

She's a big part of Charlie's "bad habits."

Duncan Shaeffer

Duncan is a friend of Charlie's from college. His friendship with Charlie affected Charlie's situation with family members.

Plot

"Babylon Revisited" is a short story by F. Scott Fitzgerald that tells the story of Charles Wales, a former stockbroker who is trying to regain custody of his daughter, Honoria, after a period of financial and personal turmoil.

At the beginning of the story, Wales is living in Paris and is trying to get his life back on track after losing his fortune and his wife during the stock market crash of 1929. Despite his efforts, Wales is still struggling with his addiction to alcohol and is trying to rebuild his relationships with his family and former friends.

Wales is determined to regain custody of his daughter, Honoria, who is currently being cared for by her aunt, Marion, and her uncle, Lincoln. However, Marion and Lincoln are skeptical of Wales's ability to provide a stable and responsible environment for Honoria, and they are hesitant to allow him to take her back.

As Wales tries to persuade Marion and Lincoln to allow him to regain custody of Honoria, he is faced with a series of challenges and setbacks, including his own struggles with alcohol and the interference of his former friends, who are still living the reckless and extravagant lifestyle that he left behind.

Despite these challenges, Wales is ultimately able to prove to Marion and Lincoln that he has changed and is capable of being a responsible and caring father. In the end, he is able to regain custody of Honoria and begins a new life with her, leaving behind the excesses and excesses of the past.

Themes

There are several themes in "Babylon Revisited," including:

The consequences of excess

The story explores the destructive effects of the reckless and extravagant lifestyle that Wales and his friends pursued during the height of the stock market boom.

The impact of the stock market crash of 1929

The story is set in the aftermath of the crash, and Wales's financial and personal struggles are a result of the economic and social upheaval caused by the event.

The dangers of addiction

Wales's struggle with alcohol addiction is a central theme of the story, and it serves as a cautionary tale about the destructive power of addiction and the importance of seeking help and support. Charlie struggles to prove to everyone that he has overcome his drinking and partying habit. Some passages in the story indicate that he may not be over his drinking because when he comes back to town he goes straight back to the bar.

The importance of family and relationships

The story explores the theme of family and the bonds of love and responsibility that exist between parents and children. It also touches on the theme of forgiveness and the possibility of redemption and renewal. Throughout the story Charlie struggles with his sense of guilt over his wife's death and losing custody of his daughter.

The passage of time and the need for change

The story follows Wales's journey as he tries to move past his past mistakes and rebuild his life, and it explores the theme of the importance of change and personal growth.

Motifs

Some motifs in F. Scott Fitzgerald's short story "Babylon Revisited" include:

Alcohol: The motif of alcohol is present throughout the story, as Wales is struggling with addiction and is trying to overcome his dependence on alcohol.

Paris: The city of Paris serves as a motif in the story, representing the decadence and excess of the lifestyle that Wales and his friends pursued during the height of the stock market boom.

The past: The past is a recurring motif in the story, as Wales is trying to leave behind his former life and the mistakes he made in the past. The past is also represented by the characters of Wales's former friends, who are still living the reckless and extravagant lifestyle that he left behind.

Money: The motif of money is present throughout the story, as Wales's financial struggles and his efforts to regain his former wealth are a central part of the plot.

Family: The motif of family is central to the story, as Wales is trying to regain custody of his daughter, Honoria, and repair his relationships with his family. The theme of family is also explored through the relationships between Wales and his former friends, who are depicted as lacking the sense of responsibility and commitment that comes with family ties.

Interpretative Approaches

Cultural

One significant historical element is the stock market crash of 1929, which is mentioned as a key event in the story and is depicted as having had a major impact on the lives and fortunes of the characters. The crash serves as a backdrop for the story and helps to set the scene for the challenges and struggles that Charlie and the other characters face.

Another significant historical element is the setting of Paris in the 1930s, which is depicted as a city of decadence and excess. The portrayal of Paris as a place of hedonism and indulgence reflects the cultural attitudes and values of the time and serves as a contrast to the more sober and responsible lifestyle that Charlie is trying to rebuild.

Cultural elements that are significant in the story include the portrayal of traditional gender roles and expectations, and the societal pressure to conform to certain beauty standards and expectations. The portrayal of these cultural elements highlights the ways in which they shape the relationships and experiences of the characters and serves as a commentary on the cultural attitudes and values of the time.

Ethical

One ethical issue that the story raises is the consequences of excess and addiction, and the dangers of these behaviors. The story explores the destructive effects of the reckless and extravagant lifestyle that Charlie and his friends pursued during the height of the stock market boom, and the impact that this lifestyle had on their relationships, finances, and overall well-being. This raises ethical questions about the consequences of excess and the dangers of addiction and highlights the importance of responsibility and self-control.

Another ethical issue that the story raises is the rights and responsibilities of parents and the ways in which they can impact the well-being and future of their children. The story explores the theme of family and the bonds of love and responsibility that exist between parents and children, and it raises ethical questions about the rights and responsibilities of parents and the ways in which they can shape the lives and futures of their children.

Formalist

One of the most notable formal elements of the story is its use of character development. Through the character of Charles Wales, Fitzgerald is able to explore the destructive effects of the reckless and extravagant lifestyle that Wales and his friends pursued during the height of the stock market boom, as well as the challenges and setbacks that Wales faces as he tries to rebuild his life and relationships in the aftermath of the crash.

Another formal element that stands out in the story is its use of setting. The setting of Paris serves as a backdrop for the story, and its decadence and excess is a reflection of the lifestyle that Wales and his friends pursued in the past. The contrast between the lavish and carefree lifestyle of the past and the more sober and responsible present serves to highlight the theme of the consequences of excess and the need for personal growth and change.

Feminist

One aspect of the story that can be analyzed from a feminist perspective is the portrayal of the female characters. Marion, Honoria's aunt and guardian, is depicted as a strong and responsible woman who is skeptical of Charlie's ability to provide a stable and responsible environment for Honoria. However, she is also shown to be heavily influenced by her husband, Lincoln, who is depicted as domineering and controlling. This portrayal suggests that Marion is limited by traditional gender roles and expectations, and that her ability to make decisions and assert her own agency is constrained by the expectations and desires of the men in her life.

Another aspect of the story that can be analyzed from a feminist perspective is the portrayal of the relationship between Charlie and Honoria. Despite his flaws, Charlie is shown to be a loving and devoted father who is deeply committed to his daughter. However, his efforts to regain custody of Honoria are challenged by the interference of his former friends, who are depicted as lacking the sense of responsibility and commitment that comes with family ties. This portrayal suggests that traditional gender roles and expectations play a role in shaping the relationships between men and women, and that men may be held to different standards when it comes to matters of family.

Psychological

One aspect of the story that can be analyzed from a psychological perspective is the portrayal of Charlie's struggles with addiction and the impact that it has on his mental health and relationships. Throughout the story, Charlie is depicted as struggling with his addiction to alcohol, and it is implied that this struggle has had a negative impact on his ability to be a responsible and caring father. Charlie's addiction can be seen as a coping mechanism for the trauma and stress that he has experienced, such as the loss of his fortune and his wife during the stock market crash of 1929.

Another aspect of the story that can be analyzed from a psychological perspective is the portrayal of the relationships between the characters and the ways in which they cope with and react to the challenges that they face. For example, Marion and Lincoln are depicted as skeptical of Charlie's ability to provide a stable and responsible environment for Honoria, and their mistrust and skepticism can be seen as a coping mechanism for their own feelings of insecurity and uncertainty. Similarly, the interference of Charlie's former friends, who are depicted as living a reckless and extravagant lifestyle, can be seen as a manifestation of their own insecurities and fears about the future.

Comparisons To The Author's Life

In 1920 Fitzgerald married Zelda Sayre and they began a lifestyle of decadence. While he tried to gain credibility in the literary world, he was seen as too much the party boy. The couple had their first and only child, affectionately known as Scottie, in 1921. His drinking quickly escalated to the point of alcoholism. His wife also drank, but was not seen as an alcoholic. The couple fought quite often, being in a hostile state that was brought on by drinking. During their years together the couple spent their money too extravagantly, putting them in debt. The family went to France in early 1924, where he wrote The Great Gatsby. While there Zelda’s partying ways went too far: she had an affair. Though they stayed together, the marriage was irreparably damaged. She later suffered mental breakdowns and ended up spending her life in and out of asylums. Fitzgerald eventually moved out of his family’s home and rented a house for himself. He was not providing a good enough environment for his 14 year old daughter so she was sent to a boarding school. Another family, the Obers, took over caring for her. Fitzgerald kept up writing to her and kept a hand over her education. Fitzgerald died in a girlfriend’s apartment in 1940. Zelda died in a fire at a sanitarium in 1948.

The parallels are quite obvious between the protagonist’s life and that of the author -- spending beyond his means, drinking to excess, and losing his child to another family. Though Fitzgerald’s wife died years after his own death, it could be argued that the parallel between his life and the death of Charlie Wales’s wife comes when Zelda had her affair. While the guilt he may have felt over his wife straying is not known, it is known that after that affair the marriage had essentially ended. It suffered a metaphoric death.

Works Cited

• Bruccoli, Matthew J. “A Brief Life of Fitzgerald” F. Scott Fitzgerald: A Life in Letters Ed. Matthew J. Bruccoli. New York: Scribners, 1994. University of South Carolina F. Scott Fitzgerald Centenary. 4 Dec. 2003 <http://www.sc.edu/fitzgerald/biography.html>
• Fitzgerald, F. Scott (2002). "Babylon Revisited". In Sipiora, Phillip (ed.). Reading and Writing about Literature. Upper Saddle Creek, NJ: Prentice Hall. pp. 6–18.