THE DIAMOND AS BIG AS THE RITZTHE DIAMOND AS BIG AS THE RITZ

A SHORT STORY BY F.SCOTT

FITZGERALD

BIOGRAPHYBIOGRAPHY Francis Scott Key Fitzgerald Francis Scott Key Fitzgerald was born in St. Paul, was born in St. Paul,

Minnesota, on September 24, 1896, to Edward and Mary Minnesota, on September 24, 1896, to Edward and Mary ("Mollie") Fitzgerald. In 1898, the family moved to upstate ("Mollie") Fitzgerald. In 1898, the family moved to upstate New York, where Edward worked as a salesman for Procter New York, where Edward worked as a salesman for Procter and Gamble. By the time the family returned to St. Paul, and Gamble. By the time the family returned to St. Paul, Fitzgerald was twelve years old, and his parents enrolled him Fitzgerald was twelve years old, and his parents enrolled him at St. Paul Academy. At St. Paul Academy, he wrote stories at St. Paul Academy. At St. Paul Academy, he wrote stories for the school magazine and performed in school plays. After for the school magazine and performed in school plays. After the academy, he went on to the Newman School in the academy, he went on to the Newman School in Hackensack, New Jersey, a Catholic prep school. Hackensack, New Jersey, a Catholic prep school.

In 1917, he entered the army. One of the most significant In 1917, he entered the army. One of the most significant results of Fitzgerald's military service was that, while stationed results of Fitzgerald's military service was that, while stationed in Alabama, he fell in love with Zelda Sayre, the daughter of a in Alabama, he fell in love with Zelda Sayre, the daughter of a judge on the Alabama Supreme Court. judge on the Alabama Supreme Court.

CONTD…CONTD… In March 1920, his first novel,In March 1920, his first novel,This Side of ParadiseThis Side of Paradise was was

published. A week later he married Zelda Sayre. That same published. A week later he married Zelda Sayre. That same year, Fitzgerald's first collection of short stories was year, Fitzgerald's first collection of short stories was published, entitled published, entitled Flappers and PhilosophersFlappers and Philosophers. These two . These two books established Fitzgerald's reputation as the official books established Fitzgerald's reputation as the official chronicler of the Jazz Age, the name used for the 1920s. He chronicler of the Jazz Age, the name used for the 1920s. He was especially known for his stories featuring flappers, young was especially known for his stories featuring flappers, young women exploring the new social and fashion freedoms and women exploring the new social and fashion freedoms and rebelling against the restrictive mores of the past.rebelling against the restrictive mores of the past.

In October 1921, Zelda Fitzgerald gave birth to the couple's In October 1921, Zelda Fitzgerald gave birth to the couple's first and only child, a girl named Frances Scott Key Fitzgerald, first and only child, a girl named Frances Scott Key Fitzgerald, whom the couple called Scottie. Then in 1922, Fitzgerald had whom the couple called Scottie. Then in 1922, Fitzgerald had two more books published: two more books published: The Beautiful and DamnedThe Beautiful and Damned, a , a novel, and novel, and Tales of the Jazz AgeTales of the Jazz Age, his second collection of short , his second collection of short stories, which includes “The Diamond as Big as the Ritz."stories, which includes “The Diamond as Big as the Ritz."

CONTD… CONTD… Fitzgerald's heavy drinking, and Zelda's gradually Fitzgerald's heavy drinking, and Zelda's gradually

deteriorating mental health took a toll on their marriage. In deteriorating mental health took a toll on their marriage. In 1924, the couple spent time in France, where Fitzgerald wrote 1924, the couple spent time in France, where Fitzgerald wrote his best-known novel, his best-known novel, The Great GatsbyThe Great Gatsby (1925). (1925).

After After The Great GatsbyThe Great Gatsby, the quality of Fitzgerald's work was , the quality of Fitzgerald's work was erratic, affected by his continued drinking and his stressful erratic, affected by his continued drinking and his stressful relationship with Zelda. However, his 1926 collection of relationship with Zelda. However, his 1926 collection of stories, stories, All the Sad Young MenAll the Sad Young Men, garnered favorable reviews, , garnered favorable reviews, though it did little to improve the Fitzgeralds' financial though it did little to improve the Fitzgeralds' financial situation. Despite mounting debt, the couple lived situation. Despite mounting debt, the couple lived extravagantly, much like the characters in Fitzgerald's fiction. extravagantly, much like the characters in Fitzgerald's fiction. In 1930, Zelda suffered a complete mental collapse and was In 1930, Zelda suffered a complete mental collapse and was hospitalized hospitalized

CONTD… CONTD… In 1934, he finally finished his fourth novel, In 1934, he finally finished his fourth novel, Tender Is the Tender Is the

NightNight, which he had been working on sporadically since 1925. , which he had been working on sporadically since 1925. At the time of its release, critics were not fond of the book, At the time of its release, critics were not fond of the book, feeling that it was a less successful treatment of the same feeling that it was a less successful treatment of the same themes explored in themes explored in The Great GatsbyThe Great Gatsby. In 1935, Fitzgerald . In 1935, Fitzgerald published a collection of short stories entitled published a collection of short stories entitled Taps at ReveilleTaps at Reveille, , which was reviewed by few critics. Fitzgerald was aware of which was reviewed by few critics. Fitzgerald was aware of the decline of his work and wrote a series of essays on his own the decline of his work and wrote a series of essays on his own emotional decline as an artist, published in emotional decline as an artist, published in EsquireEsquire magazine. magazine.

In 1937, Fitzgerald moved to Los Angeles, California, to find In 1937, Fitzgerald moved to Los Angeles, California, to find work as a screenwriter. While working in the film industry, he work as a screenwriter. While working in the film industry, he began writing a novel set in Hollywood, to be titled began writing a novel set in Hollywood, to be titled The Last The Last TycoonTycoon. Before he could finish the book, however, Fitzgerald . Before he could finish the book, however, Fitzgerald died suddenly of a heart attack on December 21, 1940. The died suddenly of a heart attack on December 21, 1940. The unfinished novel was published posthumously in 1941. He was unfinished novel was published posthumously in 1941. He was survived by his wife Zelda, who died in a hospital fire in 1948, survived by his wife Zelda, who died in a hospital fire in 1948, and his daughter Scottie, who died in 1986.and his daughter Scottie, who died in 1986.

CHARACTERS CHARACTERS John T. Unger John T. Unger John is the protagonist of the story. He was born and raised in Hades and John is the protagonist of the story. He was born and raised in Hades and

is some-what embarrassed by his birthplace. He loves material goods and is some-what embarrassed by his birthplace. He loves material goods and works to impress others because of it. As he states to Percy, "The richer a works to impress others because of it. As he states to Percy, "The richer a fella is, the better I like him." However, although he obsesses over wealth, fella is, the better I like him." However, although he obsesses over wealth, he is also a sensitive young man, as he begins crying upon separation from he is also a sensitive young man, as he begins crying upon separation from his father. He is not entirely self-motivated, as he may appear at first. In his father. He is not entirely self-motivated, as he may appear at first. In fact, he has a kind heart. He is appalled at the Washingtons for their lack of fact, he has a kind heart. He is appalled at the Washingtons for their lack of sensitivity for other humans and when saving himself at the end, he also sensitivity for other humans and when saving himself at the end, he also saves Kismine and Jasmine, without a second thought. saves Kismine and Jasmine, without a second thought.

Percy Washington Percy Washington He is the elusive friend of John, who invites John to his home for the He is the elusive friend of John, who invites John to his home for the

summer, fully aware that John will have to die. This proves his selfishness summer, fully aware that John will have to die. This proves his selfishness as well as his disregard for human life, as he would rather let John die than as well as his disregard for human life, as he would rather let John die than be without a friend for the summer. He is conceited, insensitive, and is be without a friend for the summer. He is conceited, insensitive, and is obsessed with wealth. "I love jewels. I've got quite a collection of them obsessed with wealth. "I love jewels. I've got quite a collection of them myself," he proudly informs John. He even refers to his limo as "old junk myself," he proudly informs John. He even refers to his limo as "old junk used for a station wagon." He shows that he cares for nothing except for used for a station wagon." He shows that he cares for nothing except for his own personal wealth and happiness. his own personal wealth and happiness.

CONTD… CONTD… Braddock Washington Braddock Washington Mr. Braddock Washington establishes himself as the antagonist early upon Mr. Braddock Washington establishes himself as the antagonist early upon

meeting him. Percy's father and the richest man in the world, he stumbles upon a meeting him. Percy's father and the richest man in the world, he stumbles upon a diamond the size of an entire mountain and goes to great lengths to protect his diamond the size of an entire mountain and goes to great lengths to protect his wealth. He has captivated slaves, "darkies," to mine the diamond, and even has wealth. He has captivated slaves, "darkies," to mine the diamond, and even has aircraft guns to protect the mine. He has complete disregard for the human race, aircraft guns to protect the mine. He has complete disregard for the human race, and anyone that comes to his home is locked in a cage in the ground or promptly and anyone that comes to his home is locked in a cage in the ground or promptly killed. Even when his end is near, he tries to bribe God with a diamond, even killed. Even when his end is near, he tries to bribe God with a diamond, even though it is the diamonds that have caused his destruction. though it is the diamonds that have caused his destruction.

Kismine Washington Kismine Washington She is Percy's younger sister who falls in love with John. Because of her love for She is Percy's younger sister who falls in love with John. Because of her love for

John, she warns him of his upcoming death and says that she is "sorry that John John, she warns him of his upcoming death and says that she is "sorry that John will have to be put away." This statement of hers also brings out another of her will have to be put away." This statement of hers also brings out another of her traits. She is very naive of the common world and even death. Although she hasn't traits. She is very naive of the common world and even death. Although she hasn't invited any "guests" to stay at the house yet, she believes that she will "harden up to invited any "guests" to stay at the house yet, she believes that she will "harden up to it." Her naivety also prevails when she is looking at her collection of rhinestones. it." Her naivety also prevails when she is looking at her collection of rhinestones. She states that she would much rather have rhinestones than diamonds, because she She states that she would much rather have rhinestones than diamonds, because she was "getting a little tired of diamonds." As she has only experienced her own rich was "getting a little tired of diamonds." As she has only experienced her own rich life, she is also very naive of the average life style. She casually states to John, life, she is also very naive of the average life style. She casually states to John, "Think of the millions and millions of people in the world, labourers and all, who "Think of the millions and millions of people in the world, labourers and all, who get along with only two maids." get along with only two maids."

CONTD… CONTD… Jasmine Washington Jasmine Washington She is another sister of Percy Washington and a static character. The She is another sister of Percy Washington and a static character. The

readers do not learn too much about her except that she is also very readers do not learn too much about her except that she is also very "hardened" by the wealth. She thinks little of inviting friends to her home, "hardened" by the wealth. She thinks little of inviting friends to her home, knowing fully that they will be murdered at the end of their stay. However, knowing fully that they will be murdered at the end of their stay. However, she is selfish and would rather have their company for the summer before she is selfish and would rather have their company for the summer before they are murdered, than be without friends.they are murdered, than be without friends.

The PrisonersThe Prisoners Underneath his all-green golf course, Braddock Washington has Underneath his all-green golf course, Braddock Washington has

imprisoned two dozen aviators who had the misfortune to discover his imprisoned two dozen aviators who had the misfortune to discover his property. They are a spirited bunch, shouting curses and defiant insults at property. They are a spirited bunch, shouting curses and defiant insults at Washington when he stops by for a visit but also trying to talk him into Washington when he stops by for a visit but also trying to talk him into releasing them. When they hear that one of their number managed to releasing them. When they hear that one of their number managed to escape, they dance and sing in celebration.escape, they dance and sing in celebration.

SUMMARY SUMMARY The story tells of John T. Unger, a teenager from the town of The story tells of John T. Unger, a teenager from the town of

Hades, Mississippi, who was sent to a private boarding school Hades, Mississippi, who was sent to a private boarding school in Boston. During the summer he would visit the homes of his in Boston. During the summer he would visit the homes of his classmates, the vast majority of whom were from wealthy classmates, the vast majority of whom were from wealthy families.families.

In the middle of his sophomore year, a young man named In the middle of his sophomore year, a young man named Percy Washington was placed in Unger's form. He would Percy Washington was placed in Unger's form. He would speak only to Unger, and then very rarely, but invited him for speak only to Unger, and then very rarely, but invited him for the summer to his home, the location of which he would only the summer to his home, the location of which he would only state as being "in the West", an invitation Unger accepted.state as being "in the West", an invitation Unger accepted.

During the train ride Percy boasted that his father was "by far During the train ride Percy boasted that his father was "by far the richest man in the world", and when challenged by Unger the richest man in the world", and when challenged by Unger boasted that his father "has a diamond bigger than the Ritz-boasted that his father "has a diamond bigger than the Ritz-Carlton Hotel."Carlton Hotel."

CONTD… CONTD… Unger would later learn that he was in Montana, in Unger would later learn that he was in Montana, in

the "only five square miles of land in the country the "only five square miles of land in the country that's never been surveyed," and the unusual and that's never been surveyed," and the unusual and bizarre story that proved Percy's boasts to be bizarre story that proved Percy's boasts to be incredibly true.incredibly true.

Percy's ancestry traces back to both Percy's ancestry traces back to both George George WashingtonWashington and and Lord BaltimoreLord Baltimore. His grandfather, . His grandfather, Fitz-Norman Culpepper Washington, decided to leave Fitz-Norman Culpepper Washington, decided to leave Virginia and head west with his slaves to enter the Virginia and head west with his slaves to enter the sheep and cattle ranching business. However, on his sheep and cattle ranching business. However, on his claim he discovered not only a diamond mine, but a claim he discovered not only a diamond mine, but a mountain consisting of mountain consisting of one solid diamondone solid diamond..

CONTD… CONTD… Washington immediately found himself in a Washington immediately found himself in a

quandary. By all accounts he would be the richest quandary. By all accounts he would be the richest man ever to live – however, the sheer quantity of man ever to live – however, the sheer quantity of diamonds would drive their value to virtually diamonds would drive their value to virtually nothing.nothing.

He immediately hatched a plan, whereby his brother He immediately hatched a plan, whereby his brother read to the negroes a fabricated proclamation by read to the negroes a fabricated proclamation by General General Nathan Bedford ForrestNathan Bedford Forrest that the South had that the South had defeated the North in the defeated the North in the American Civil WarAmerican Civil War – thus – thus keeping them in perpetual slavery. Washington keeping them in perpetual slavery. Washington travels the world selling only a few diamonds at a travels the world selling only a few diamonds at a time, in order to avoid flooding the market, but time, in order to avoid flooding the market, but enough to give him enormous wealth.enough to give him enormous wealth.

CONTD…CONTD… In order to keep the diamond a secret, the Washington family In order to keep the diamond a secret, the Washington family

goes to appalling lengths. Airmen who stray into the area are goes to appalling lengths. Airmen who stray into the area are captured and kept in a dungeon. People who visit are killed captured and kept in a dungeon. People who visit are killed and their parents told that they have succumbed to an illness and their parents told that they have succumbed to an illness while staying there.while staying there.

John falls in love with Percy's sister, Kismine, who John falls in love with Percy's sister, Kismine, who accidentally lets slip that he too will be killed before he's accidentally lets slip that he too will be killed before he's allowed to leave. That night, an escaped airman launches an allowed to leave. That night, an escaped airman launches an attack on the property and Percy's father offers a bribe to God, attack on the property and Percy's father offers a bribe to God, "the greatest diamond in the world", but God refuses. John, "the greatest diamond in the world", but God refuses. John, Kismine and Jasmine, another sister, escape while Percy and Kismine and Jasmine, another sister, escape while Percy and his mother and father choose to blow up the mountain rather his mother and father choose to blow up the mountain rather than leave it in the hands of others. Penniless, John, Kismine than leave it in the hands of others. Penniless, John, Kismine and Jasmine are left to ponder their fate. and Jasmine are left to ponder their fate. 

ANALYSIS ANALYSIS Through Unger's perspective, Fitzgerald condemns not just the Through Unger's perspective, Fitzgerald condemns not just the

Washingtons' amoral lifestyle, but also the middle-class Washingtons' amoral lifestyle, but also the middle-class attitude towards wealth that makes their lifestyle possible. The attitude towards wealth that makes their lifestyle possible. The reader waits in vain for Unger to speak out, to express some reader waits in vain for Unger to speak out, to express some outrage or horror at the Washingtons' way of life, but until his outrage or horror at the Washingtons' way of life, but until his own life is threatened, Unger seems willing to overlook almost own life is threatened, Unger seems willing to overlook almost anything to continue enjoying the luxuries and pleasures of anything to continue enjoying the luxuries and pleasures of their home. Because Unger is not as wealthy as his classmates their home. Because Unger is not as wealthy as his classmates at St. Midas, he is even more easily seduced by their lifestyle, at St. Midas, he is even more easily seduced by their lifestyle, and his astonishment at the home's extravagance is more in and his astonishment at the home's extravagance is more in line with what the average reader might feel.line with what the average reader might feel.

CONTD… CONTD… This short story has several themes running throughout. This short story has several themes running throughout.

However, the reader soon learns that the central theme However, the reader soon learns that the central theme Fitzgerald wished to display was that too much money and Fitzgerald wished to display was that too much money and material goods causes a person to lose their sense of reality material goods causes a person to lose their sense of reality and morality. This is made evident through various events that and morality. This is made evident through various events that take place in the story. For example, it is the diamond itself take place in the story. For example, it is the diamond itself that has caused the Washingtons to isolate themselves in the that has caused the Washingtons to isolate themselves in the hills of Montana. They wish to preserve the mine for hills of Montana. They wish to preserve the mine for themselves and live their lives in solitary in the hills. In themselves and live their lives in solitary in the hills. In addition, their sense of morality is entirely lost, as they either addition, their sense of morality is entirely lost, as they either kill or cage everybody that enters the property, even if kill or cage everybody that enters the property, even if someone just accidentally stumbles upon the land. someone just accidentally stumbles upon the land.

CONTD… CONTD… The Washingtons will even go to the extent The Washingtons will even go to the extent

of inviting friends to the home, having fun for of inviting friends to the home, having fun for the summer, and then killing them at the end the summer, and then killing them at the end of their stay so that they can not report what of their stay so that they can not report what they have seen. This moral decay continues they have seen. This moral decay continues until the very end, even when the until the very end, even when the Washington's have been discovered. Instead Washington's have been discovered. Instead of praying to God, or even pleading, of praying to God, or even pleading, Braddock tries to bribe God with diamonds to Braddock tries to bribe God with diamonds to save his wealth. Needless to say, his bribe is save his wealth. Needless to say, his bribe is rejected, and the mountain is destroyed. rejected, and the mountain is destroyed. Fitzgerald's lesson was clear: if you become Fitzgerald's lesson was clear: if you become too obsessed with material wealth, the decay too obsessed with material wealth, the decay of morality will soon follow.of morality will soon follow.

RHETORICS RHETORICS The Diamond as Big as the Ritz" is told from the third person The Diamond as Big as the Ritz" is told from the third person

point of view, from the perspective of John T. Unger. point of view, from the perspective of John T. Unger. Fitzgerald makes his story come alive with detailed Fitzgerald makes his story come alive with detailed descriptions of the environment and the characters. Although descriptions of the environment and the characters. Although his style is very simplistic, and he doesn't use a lot of his style is very simplistic, and he doesn't use a lot of sophisticated vocabulary, his figurative language gives the sophisticated vocabulary, his figurative language gives the story a sophisticated sound. For example, similies appear on story a sophisticated sound. For example, similies appear on almost every page: "The Montana sunset lay between two almost every page: "The Montana sunset lay between two mountains like a gigantic bruise from which dark arteries mountains like a gigantic bruise from which dark arteries spread themselves over a poisoned sky." His metaphors spread themselves over a poisoned sky." His metaphors provide effective descriptions as well: "Percy's mouth was a provide effective descriptions as well: "Percy's mouth was a half-moon of scorn." From the figurative language, the readers half-moon of scorn." From the figurative language, the readers are able to grasp a feel of what it would be like to be in the are able to grasp a feel of what it would be like to be in the shoes of John T. Unger. shoes of John T. Unger.

CONTD… CONTD… Fitzgerald's use of extreme exaggeration, increases the feeling Fitzgerald's use of extreme exaggeration, increases the feeling

of fantasy, and his descriptions of the Washingtons' home have of fantasy, and his descriptions of the Washingtons' home have a surreal quality. By making the chateau impossibly luxurious, a surreal quality. By making the chateau impossibly luxurious, Fitzgerald lets the reader know, once again, that this is not a Fitzgerald lets the reader know, once again, that this is not a literal or realistic story. A diamond as big as an entire literal or realistic story. A diamond as big as an entire mountain, a clear crystal bathtub with tropical fish swimming mountain, a clear crystal bathtub with tropical fish swimming beneath the glass, hallways lined with fur, dinner plates of beneath the glass, hallways lined with fur, dinner plates of solid diamond, a car interior upholstered in tapestries, gold solid diamond, a car interior upholstered in tapestries, gold and precious gems — all these extravagant, unreal elements and precious gems — all these extravagant, unreal elements add to the otherworldly character of the Washingtons' add to the otherworldly character of the Washingtons' property. Furthermore, they seemed to suggest a sense that too property. Furthermore, they seemed to suggest a sense that too much is indeed too much.much is indeed too much.

PRESENTED BY PRESENTED BY

RAHESH GUPTARAHESH GUPTA

SHILA UPRETYSHILA UPRETY NAMRATA NAMRATA BHANDARI BHANDARI

MEGHNA MEGHNA SHRESTHASHRESTHA