"Outside the Cabinet-Maker's"

FROM: The Fitzgerald Reader: A Collection of His Finest Work
[1963 Scribners] Edited by Arthur Mizener, pgs. 297-301

(room in an antique dollhouse)

Originally published in The Century Magazine (1928), this one is just under 1,500 words and is the shortest "short" story by F. Scott I have read thus far. It might be his shortest even, I'd have to do research to find out if that is true.

Either way, it is charming and has nothing to do with love-lost, but instead the imagination of a little girl and the relationship between father and daughter take center stage. None of the characters are named even, so it's enchanting.

An automobile stops and out pops a lady, who disappears into a Cabinet-Maker's shop to conduct business. Revealed through the story is the reason she is there--and F. Scott even puts the key sentences in French.

(I had to look these up, and it didn't bother me one bit)

A gift for the little girl is being bargained for--and it can't cost more than "Twenty dollars." Father and daughter stay outside and construct a magical story together, while watching the people moving about the neighborhood:

“Who is the lady?”

“She’s a Witch, a friend of the Ogre’s.”

The shutter blew closed with a bang and then slowly opened again.

“That’s done by the good and bad fairies,” the man explained. “They’re invisible, but the bad fairies want to close the shutter so nobody can see in and the good ones want to open it.”

“The good fairies are winning now.”

“Yes.” He looked at the little girl. “You’re my good fairy.”

Finally the lady comes out and the Father finds out that the gift costs more than they hoped, at twenty-five dollars--but apparently it will be made anyway.

As quickly as it began, it is over. Short and very sweet. Refreshing.

~~J

"A New Leaf"

from: Perrine's Literature: Structure, Sound, and Sense

edited by Arp and Johnson (8th Edition, 2002)Pages 439-453

Welcome to 1931. Or at least that's when this particular story was first published in the Saturday Evening Post. I found the text in one of the used literature anthologies I seem to grab whenever they are within reach.

"A New Leaf" is in a chapter dedicated to "Evaluating Fiction." The student is instructed to pay close attention to things like plot, structure, characterization, theme, point of view, symbols, allegories, fantasy, humor, and irony (did you catch all that?).

There are even eight questions that follow to direct thoughts. Good stuff. Nevertheless, I shall ignore all the rules and opine on the story as I normally do.

By far, my favorite section of the story occurred first--opening scene as Julia spies Dick Ragland, as he briefly stops to speak to the man she is having dinner with:

She sat there, a well-behaved women of twenty-one, and discreetly trembled....

"He's without doubt the handsomest man I ever saw in my life."

"Yes, he's handsome," he agreed without enthusiasm.

"Handsome! He's an archangel, he's a mountain lion, he's something to eat. Just why didn't you introduce him?"

If I had a dollar for every time...okay. I don't think those words have ever left my mouth, but I am dying to use the line as soon as possible.

But, of course, Dick is trouble. He's not well-received. He's a drunk. Which is all the more reason for Julia to fall madly and deeply, despite the fact that he shows up both drunk and hungover for the first planned meeting.

The rest is predictable. Well, maybe not exactly--but there will be disappoint and it is rather anti-climactic, even though F. Scott throws in a bit of mystery when we hear of the final action through another character.

"Better let it all alone in the depths of her heart and the depths of the sea." Aye, aye captain.

~~J

"Bernice Bobs Her Hair"

from: The Short Stories of F. Scott Fitzgerald

edited by Matthew J. Bruccoli (Scribners, 1989)Pages 25-47

(original artwork from the Saturday Evening Post)

Originally published in 1920, I wasn't sure what to expect from this story--I knew it was one of F. Scott's most read/discussed and just the title alone makes me think of flappers, short hair, and prohibition.

You too?

Well, it turned out to be fantastically accurate in the "game" of womanhood. (unfortunately) Think Mean Girls (or Heathers or any other coming-of-age story where the girls carve each other up).

I can't reveal the end, but it's good--and I didn't see it coming...

Marjorie made no answer but gazed pensively at her own image in the mirror.

"You're a peach to help me," continued Bernice.

Still Marjorie did not answer, and Bernice thought she had seemed too grateful.

"I know you don't like sentiment," she said timidly.

Marjorie turned to her quickly.

"Oh, I wasn't thinking about that. I was considering whether we hadn't better bob your hair."

Bernice collapsed backward upon the bed.

Oh yes, there will be scissors...especially since a boy is involved (Warren), but I am very curious about the 3,000 words F. Scott reportedly removed from the story in order to get it published.

Which makes me think of my own work and what I submitted to several creative writing programs in hopes of being accepted. This line of thinking is not related to story specifically, except for the art of editing.

I guess you just "know" what to cut and not to cut? (pun intended).

~~J