If one wants to rebuild their shattered existence that arises from a meaningless life, they must confront the past demons responsible for their downfall. F. Scott Fitzgerald’s Babylon Revisited depicts a man whose extravagant way of living has stripped all significance and substance from his life.
Charlie Wales is the protagonist of the story, who has returned to the city where his life took a turn for the worse in order to find freedom from the consequences of his actions. Throughout his journey, Fitzgerald depicts two clear steps that Charlie takes to effectively face his past. Initially, Charlie strives to confront the internal and external struggles that were responsible for his downfall. These struggles represent the harmful influences that influenced him to live the life he is now determined to leave behind.
Charlie, having confronted his past problems, now endeavors to pick up the fragmented remnants of his life that were left behind due to these problems. Fitzgerald, through Charlie’s triumphs and disappointments, appears to mock the advancement of his society in rediscovering itself. By portraying Charlie’s journey, Fitzgerald sends a message to society about its own inclination to reconstruct a damaged image. The setting of Babylon Revisited takes place in post-depression Paris.
Once, the city used to be a haven where recently wealthy Americans relished in lavish and heedless lives. However, the situation has now shifted, and the same volatile market that had brought prosperity to these individuals has plummeted and abruptly brought them back to reality. Paris is no longer vibrant with the carefree American essence; instead, it remains as tranquil as ever. Charlie’s affluence had transformed extravagance into the sole purpose of his existence. When that was shattered, all the worth he found in living dissolved as well.
After reaching the brink of insanity, Charlie retreats from Paris to attempt to rebuild his life. “I’m in business in Prague, representing a couple of concerns there. They don’t know about me down there” (p270). Here, Charlie expresses his initial desire to hide from the demons that ruled his life in Paris.
Clearly, his move did not fully contribute to the rebuilding of his life, leading to his return to Paris. This return marks the initial step in Charlie’s rejuvenation. He views Paris with a altered perspective: discovering Paris empty did not truly disappoint him. However, the silence in the Ritz bar felt unusual and foreboding.
The bar no longer felt American to him – he felt polite in it, rather than as if he owned it. (p270) Charlie’s perception of his former city displays his personal growth. Paris becomes the first tangible symbol of Charlie’s development. He has evolved to the extent that he can assign new significance to Paris, contrary to his previous ingrained beliefs.
If Charlie had remained in Prague, his perspective on Paris would have remained constant, serving as a reminder of his past mistakes. However, now that he is back in Paris, his perception of the city is evolving and demonstrating his personal growth. This transformation boosts Charlie’s self-assurance and it is important to highlight that this newfound confidence originates from within him rather than being influenced by external factors. The initial hurdle Charlie needs to overcome is his struggle with alcohol addiction.
As I mentioned, for over a year, I have purposely limited myself to one drink per day to prevent alcohol from becoming a prominent thought in my mind. Charlie’s struggle stemmed from an inability to moderate his alcohol intake. However, he opts not to completely abstain from alcohol to ensure it does not regain control over his life later on. By having a daily drink, Charlie feels empowered and in control.
By properly confining such a negative aspect of his life, Charlie can avoid the need to hide from it. This confinement enables him to confront other influences from his Parisian life.
