Final answer:
F. Scott Fitzgerald's works are heavily influenced by the culture of the 1920s, with themes that reflect the era's opulence, changing gender roles, and the critique of the American Dream. His life mirrored his fiction, both characterized by their lavishness and ultimate financial woes.
Step-by-step explanation:
The culture of the time period had a profound impact on F. Scott Fitzgerald's life and works. Among the Lost Generation writers, he epitomizes the zeitgeist of the 1920s, a time marked by post-World War I disillusionment, the Jazz Age's extravagance, and the crushing blow of the Great Depression. His most renowned work, The Great Gatsby, illustrates the opulence and moral vacuity of the era's nouveau riche through the tragic figure of Jay Gatsby. Fitzgerald's own life mirrored his literature; he and his wife Zelda lived a lavish lifestyle, emblematic of the excesses of the period, which eventually led to financial and personal struggles.
Fitzgerald's female characters, such as the modern 'flapper' archetype, reflect changing gender roles and social expectations of the time. His stories often comment on the elusive nature of the American Dream, challenging its accessibility and questioning its very existence. Moreover, money plays a central role in his narratives, serving both as a measure of success and a source of moral decay.
Concerning matters of geography, Fitzgerald's attitude towards various regions of the United States encompasses a mix of romance and criticism, often juxtaposing the promise of the West with the perceived sophistication and moral bankruptcy of the East. His observations of geographical distinctions contribute to the broader dialogue about American identity and values in his work. Thus, option (b), the culture of the time period shapes Fitzgerald's writing style and themes, most accurately describes the relationship between the culture of his time and his literary works.