The Representation of Time in Fitzgerald's "Benjamin Button"

Seminar paper from the year 2022 in the subject English Language and Literature Studies, grade: 1,3, University of Augsburg (Philologisch-Historische Fakult酹), course: Proseminar: Time and Narrative, language: English, abstract: The following paper will show that Fitzgerald uses Benjamin Button's special condition and the associated depiction of time in the short story to challenge the age roles that were prevalent in society at the time of publication. For this purpose, the general representation of time up to the Jazz Age, which Fitzgerald can be assigned to, will be illustrated first. Then, the age roles prevalent in the Jazz Age of the early 20th century will be examined more closely. Among other things, the concept of the 'Normal Biography' coined by Michael Basseler as well as the fear of old age and the rejuvenation projects made possible by new scientific methods will be discussed. Furthermore, an analysis of Fitzgerald's temporal structuring is carried out in order to understand the background and motivations of the same. For this purpose, the short story is examined on the basis of the three threads of age: Benjamin Button's chronological age, physical age, and psychological age. Then, the importance of situating the story in reality is analyzed and the changes in Benjamin Button's relationships will be discussed. Finally, the criticism of the concept of age through the protagonist's reverse biography is highlighted before a final conclusion closes the paper.