6268 - Phrasle

Phrasle had an interesting puzzle today.

Attributed to F. Scott Fitzgerald, the American novelist best known for his work The Great Gatsby. This quote encapsulates Fitzgerald's perception of the complex and often tragic nature of heroism. Fitzgerald's work frequently explores themes of idealism, wealth, love, and the American Dream, which often lead to tragic ends for his protagonists. The quote suggests that behind every hero lies a narrative of struggle, sacrifice, and often downfall. A hero's journey is not just marked by their successes and triumphs but also by the inherent tragedies that accompany their quests.

Fitzgerald's use of this phrase may also be seen as a commentary on the American society of his time. The Roaring Twenties, the era in which Fitzgerald wrote, was characterized by prosperity, excess, and the pursuit of the American Dream. Yet, underneath this facade lay the realities of disillusionment and moral decay, themes prevalent in his work. It underscores the idea that the very qualities that elevate individuals to heroic status are the same qualities that can lead to their undoing, revealing the complex and often tragic nature of life itself.