Scott Fitzgerald

“Riches have never fascinated me, unless combined with the greatest charm or distinction.”
–Letter, Aug. 1936, to Ernest Hemingway
People with high moral standards will be the ones to appreciate this quote by Fitzgerald. It is relating to the saying that money cannot buy you everything. In this part of the letter he is stating that money and riches are not important to him. The only way that money and riches held interest to him was if it held and brought something with greatness attached. Fitzgerald could also be implying the idea that riches can change people. The way that people behave and carry themselves is crucial. In most cases, riches and everything that comes with it change people for the worst. He wants people to know that in his eyes, if the riches do not bring good character to you then it’s worth nothing and people need to see that.
This quote can be related to The Great Gatsby. Gatsby was a rich man that lived in a mansion. He had plenty of money and lived the way any person would only dream. He had the fortune and the great lifestyle; however he was not entirely happy. He didn’t have the charm like the quote, or the distinction of his character and true love. His past true love Daisy was married to someone else and he longed to be with her again. This hole in his heart proves the quote true. All the money in the world, the big houses or the fame cannot buy your happiness. The only way that it can buy you happiness is if there is something more meaningful attached.