Final answer:
F. Scott Fitzgerald aimed to present unique but universal narratives through 'The Great Gatsby,' using themes like the pursuit of the American Dream, and to critique the 1920s' hedonism and moral decay. His own life and reflections in 'The Crack-Up' echo the societal disillusionment of that decadent era.
Step-by-step explanation:
F. Scott Fitzgerald sought to achieve several things through his novel The Great Gatsby. Primarily, he wished to portray the protagonist, Jay Gatsby, as a complex individual, whose narrative is both unique and emblematic of broader themes such as the pursuit of the American Dream. Fitzgerald portrays Gatsby through the lens of the flawed narrator Nick Carraway, emphasizing that while we do not know all of Gatsby's secrets, his journey is indicative of a universal experience. In depicting Gatsby's rise and fall, Fitzgerald delves into themes of money, unattainable love, and individual identity, which are recurrent in his work. Furthermore, Fitzgerald provides a social satire on the era, offering a sophisticated critique of the hedonism and moral decay of the 1920s, a period that is also reflected in his personal life and other writings.
In his own reflections, such as in "The Crack-Up," Fitzgerald ponders his life as a celebrated author in the 1920s and his youthful aspirations and regrets. His interpretation and portrayal of the 1920s capture the disillusionment following unchecked extravagance, mirroring the societal mood of the decade and the personal experiences that informed his literary creations.