Spires and Gargoyles
Early Writings, 1909–1919

A collection of Fitzgerald's writings for high school and Princeton University magazines.

F. Scott Fitzgerald (Author), James L. W. West, III (Edited by)

9781009279741, Cambridge University Press

Paperback / softback, published 15 December 2022

308 pages, 7 b/w illus.
21.6 x 13.9 x 1.8 cm, 0.41 kg

'As usual, West's introduction is excellent in both its precision and economy.' The F. Scott Fitzgerald Review

F. Scott Fitzgerald had a busy and productive literary apprenticeship, writing in a great variety of genres. This volume contains his writings for the student magazine at his high schools and his Princeton writings for the Daily Princetonian, the Princeton Tiger, and the Nassau Literary Magazine. Of special note in this volume are the complete lyrics that Fitzgerald composed for three student musical comedies mounted by the Triangle Club at Princeton – Fie! Fie! Fi-Fi! (1914), The Evil Eye (1915), and Safety First! (1916). The volume includes a scholarly introduction, a record of variants and emendations, and numerous facsimiles and other illustrations. Explanatory notes identify the literary works, Broadway shows, movie queens, stage stars, politicians, historical figures, criminals, sports heroes, and popular songs referred to by Fitzgerald in these early writings.

Introduction
St. Paul Academy, 1909–1911: The mystery of the Raymond mortgage
Reade, substitute right half
A debt of honor
S.P.A. men in college athletics
The room with the green blinds
The Newman School, 1911–1913: 'Football'
Election night
A luckless Santa Claus
Pain and the scientist
The trail of the duke
A school dance
Princeton University, 1913–1917: Triangle Show lyrics
Fie! Fie! Fi-Fi!
The Evil Eye
Safety First!
Prose and verse
'There was once …'
'Shadow laurels'
May small talk
The ordeal
how they head the chapters
A cheer for Princeton
The conquest of America
To my unused Greek book
Our next issue
Jemina
The usual thing
The vampiest of the vampires
Little Minnie McCloskey
One from Penn's neck
A litany of slang
'Triangle scenery by Bakst'
Futuristic impressions of the editorial boards
'A glass of beer kills him'
'Oui, le backfield …'
'When you find …'
Things that never change! No. 3333
The old Frontiersman
The debutante
Penrod and Sam
'Boy kills self …'
Things that never change. No. 3982
Precaution primarily
The spire and the gargoyle
Rain before dawn
David Blaize
'McCaulay Mission …'
Popular parodies – No. 1
The diary of a sophomore
Undulations of an undergraduate
Tarquin of Cheapside
The Prince of Pests
'These rifles …'
'It is assumed …'
Ethel had her shot of brandy …
'Yale's swimming team …'
Babes in the woods
Princeton – the last day
The Celt and the world
Sentiment – and the use of rouge
On a play twice seen
Verses in Peace and War
The invisible King
The cameo frame
The Pierian Springs and the Last Straw
The Staying Up All Night
Intercollegiate Petting-Cues
Our American Poets
Cedric the Stoker
City Dusk
My First Love
Marching Streets
The Pope at Confession
Record of variants
Explanatory notes
Illustrations
Appendix: Probable attributions.

Subject Areas: Literature: history & criticism [DS], Literature & literary studies [D], Musical scores, lyrics & libretti [AVQ], Music: styles & genres [AVG], Music [AV]