Final answer:
The narrator finds value in the independent and enduring aspects of a literary life and reflects on the 1920s as a time of personal growth and resolution of past regrets, which mirrors the societal focus on prosperity over existential pondering during the Roaring Twenties.
Step-by-step explanation:
The narrator in the given text describes a nuanced view of what constitutes a fulfilling life. There's a sense of romanticism tied to the life of a literary man, as described by F. Scott Fitzgerald in "The Crack-Up", along with a recognition that fame and power are not the ultimate measures of success. Instead, the narrator finds value in the independence and durability of a literary life, despite its inherent dissatisfactions and the longing for other forms of heroism and adventure that remain unattained.
In describing his life in the 1920s, Fitzgerald recounts resolving juvenile regrets through imaginary heroism, which gave him comfort. As the practical problems of life were addressed, it left little energy to ponder the more abstract questions. This reflects the 1920s, known as the Roaring Twenties, where societal focuses were on prosperity and entertainment over deep existential pondering, highlighting a contrast between Fitzgerald's personal reflection and the broader societal mood.