The Great Gatsby: a work of fiction or an autobiography? The idea of ​​reflection is “a thing which is a consequence or arises from something else” (Oxford). Reflection is something F. Scott Fitzgerald knows well and a tool he uses in his literary works. Fitzgerald grew up in a middle-class family and attended a prestigious university, albeit for a short time. He also met a beautiful, troubled woman who affected him deeply and who would be the muse for an important character in his famous novel, The Great Gatsby (O'Brien). In his novel, Fitzgerald draws on some of his own life experiences to write a sensational plot and create unique characters. In The Great Gatsby, the reader realizes the impact that Fitzgerald's life had on his writing through his experiences with his family, his women, and alcohol. Throughout The Great Gatsby, F. Scott Fitzgerald consistently uses parallelism to portray Gatsby as a reflection of himself and his life. As a young man he attended Princeton University, well aware that we wanted to become a famous writer, but he became heavily involved in drinking. This behavior caused his grades to drop significantly and quickly led to his withdrawal from college. Fitzgerald used his own failed attempt at college as inspiration for the character Gatsby, although his withdrawal was not for the same reason; “It was in 1919. I only stayed five months. “That’s why I can’t really call myself an Oxford man” (129). After failing to graduate from Princeton University, Fitzgerald enlisted in the military as a form of redemption in hopes of becoming a successful soldier. Gatsby also enlisted in the army when he left Oxford to gain success and wealth. While in office ... middle of paper ...... Itzgerald's alcohol abuse inspired Gatsby's views on alcohol. After finishing the novel, the reader might wonder if The Great Gatsby is a work of fiction or a very close resemblance to Fitzgerald's autobiography? Works Cited “Consequence”. Oxfordlearnersdictionaries.com. Oxford Advanced American Dictionary, 2011. Web. April 6, 2014. Fitzgerald, F. Scott The Great Gatsby New York, NY: PrintO'Brien, Tim. -1940) » Prentice Hall Literature: The American Experience. Boston, MA: Pearson Prentice Hall, 2007. PrintO'Hearn, Dierdre "F. Scott Fitzgerald: The Great American Dream." A&E Biography. April 14, 1997. History Television Network Productions. DVDPerkins, Barbara and George Perkins “F. Scott Fitzgerald (1896-1940)” The American Tradition in Literature New York, NYC: McGraw Hill, 2009.