1. THE DIAMOND AS BIG AS THE RITZTHE DIAMOND AS BIG AS THE RITZ
A SHORT STORY BY
F.SCOTT
FITZGERALD
2. BIOGRAPHYBIOGRAPHY
Francis Scott Key FitzgeraldFrancis Scott Key Fitzgerald was born in St. Paul,was born in St. Paul,
Minnesota, on September 24, 1896, to Edward and MaryMinnesota, on September 24, 1896, to Edward and Mary
("Mollie") Fitzgerald. In 1898, the family moved to upstate("Mollie") Fitzgerald. In 1898, the family moved to upstate
New York, where Edward worked as a salesman for ProcterNew York, where Edward worked as a salesman for Procter
and Gamble. By the time the family returned to St. Paul,and Gamble. By the time the family returned to St. Paul,
Fitzgerald was twelve years old, and his parents enrolled himFitzgerald was twelve years old, and his parents enrolled him
at St. Paul Academy. At St. Paul Academy, he wrote storiesat St. Paul Academy. At St. Paul Academy, he wrote stories
for the school magazine and performed in school plays. Afterfor the school magazine and performed in school plays. After
the academy, he went on to the Newman School inthe academy, he went on to the Newman School in
Hackensack, New Jersey, a Catholic prep school.Hackensack, New Jersey, a Catholic prep school.
In 1917, he entered the army. One of the most significantIn 1917, he entered the army. One of the most significant
results of Fitzgerald's military service was that, while stationedresults of Fitzgerald's military service was that, while stationed
in Alabama, he fell in love with Zelda Sayre, the daughter of ain Alabama, he fell in love with Zelda Sayre, the daughter of a
judge on the Alabama Supreme Court.judge on the Alabama Supreme Court.
3. CONTD…CONTD…
In March 1920, his first novel,In March 1920, his first novel,This Side of ParadiseThis Side of Paradise waswas
published. A week later he married Zelda Sayre. That samepublished. A week later he married Zelda Sayre. That same
year, Fitzgerald's first collection of short stories wasyear, Fitzgerald's first collection of short stories was
published, entitledpublished, entitled Flappers and PhilosophersFlappers and Philosophers. These two. These two
books established Fitzgerald's reputation as the officialbooks established Fitzgerald's reputation as the official
chronicler of the Jazz Age, the name used for the 1920s. Hechronicler of the Jazz Age, the name used for the 1920s. He
was especially known for his stories featuring flappers, youngwas especially known for his stories featuring flappers, young
women exploring the new social and fashion freedoms andwomen exploring the new social and fashion freedoms and
rebelling against the restrictive mores of the past.rebelling against the restrictive mores of the past.
In October 1921, Zelda Fitzgerald gave birth to the couple'sIn October 1921, Zelda Fitzgerald gave birth to the couple's
first and only child, a girl named Frances Scott Key Fitzgerald,first and only child, a girl named Frances Scott Key Fitzgerald,
whom the couple called Scottie. Then in 1922, Fitzgerald hadwhom the couple called Scottie. Then in 1922, Fitzgerald had
two more books published:two more books published: The Beautiful and DamnedThe Beautiful and Damned, a, a
novel, andnovel, and Tales of the Jazz AgeTales of the Jazz Age, his second collection of short, his second collection of short
stories, which includes “The Diamond as Big as the Ritz."stories, which includes “The Diamond as Big as the Ritz."
4. CONTD…CONTD…
Fitzgerald's heavy drinking, and Zelda's graduallyFitzgerald's heavy drinking, and Zelda's gradually
deteriorating mental health took a toll on their marriage. Indeteriorating mental health took a toll on their marriage. In
1924, the couple spent time in France, where Fitzgerald wrote1924, the couple spent time in France, where Fitzgerald wrote
his best-known novel,his best-known novel, The Great GatsbyThe Great Gatsby (1925).(1925).
AfterAfter The Great GatsbyThe Great Gatsby, the quality of Fitzgerald's work was, the quality of Fitzgerald's work was
erratic, affected by his continued drinking and his stressfulerratic, affected by his continued drinking and his stressful
relationship with Zelda. However, his 1926 collection ofrelationship with Zelda. However, his 1926 collection of
stories,stories, All the Sad Young MenAll the Sad Young Men, garnered favorable reviews,, garnered favorable reviews,
though it did little to improve the Fitzgeralds' financialthough it did little to improve the Fitzgeralds' financial
situation. Despite mounting debt, the couple livedsituation. Despite mounting debt, the couple lived
extravagantly, much like the characters in Fitzgerald's fiction.extravagantly, much like the characters in Fitzgerald's fiction.
In 1930, Zelda suffered a complete mental collapse and wasIn 1930, Zelda suffered a complete mental collapse and was
hospitalizedhospitalized
5. CONTD…CONTD…
In 1934, he finally finished his fourth novel,In 1934, he finally finished his fourth novel, Tender Is theTender Is the
NightNight, which he had been working on sporadically since 1925., which he had been working on sporadically since 1925.
At the time of its release, critics were not fond of the book,At the time of its release, critics were not fond of the book,
feeling that it was a less successful treatment of the samefeeling that it was a less successful treatment of the same
themes explored inthemes explored in The Great GatsbyThe Great Gatsby. In 1935, Fitzgerald. In 1935, Fitzgerald
published a collection of short stories entitledpublished a collection of short stories entitled Taps at ReveilleTaps at Reveille,,
which was reviewed by few critics. Fitzgerald was aware ofwhich was reviewed by few critics. Fitzgerald was aware of
the decline of his work and wrote a series of essays on his ownthe decline of his work and wrote a series of essays on his own
emotional decline as an artist, published inemotional decline as an artist, published in EsquireEsquire magazine.magazine.
In 1937, Fitzgerald moved to Los Angeles, California, to findIn 1937, Fitzgerald moved to Los Angeles, California, to find
work as a screenwriter. While working in the film industry, hework as a screenwriter. While working in the film industry, he
began writing a novel set in Hollywood, to be titledbegan writing a novel set in Hollywood, to be titled The LastThe Last
TycoonTycoon. Before he could finish the book, however, Fitzgerald. Before he could finish the book, however, Fitzgerald
died suddenly of a heart attack on December 21, 1940. Thedied suddenly of a heart attack on December 21, 1940. The
unfinished novel was published posthumously in 1941. He wasunfinished novel was published posthumously in 1941. He was
survived by his wife Zelda, who died in a hospital fire in 1948,survived by his wife Zelda, who died in a hospital fire in 1948,
and his daughter Scottie, who died in 1986.and his daughter Scottie, who died in 1986.
6. CHARACTERSCHARACTERS
John T. UngerJohn T. Unger
John is the protagonist of the story. He was born and raised in Hades andJohn is the protagonist of the story. He was born and raised in Hades and
is some-what embarrassed by his birthplace. He loves material goods andis some-what embarrassed by his birthplace. He loves material goods and
works to impress others because of it. As he states to Percy, "The richer aworks to impress others because of it. As he states to Percy, "The richer a
fella is, the better I like him." However, although he obsesses over wealth,fella is, the better I like him." However, although he obsesses over wealth,
he is also a sensitive young man, as he begins crying upon separation fromhe is also a sensitive young man, as he begins crying upon separation from
his father. He is not entirely self-motivated, as he may appear at first. Inhis father. He is not entirely self-motivated, as he may appear at first. In
fact, he has a kind heart. He is appalled at the Washingtons for their lack offact, he has a kind heart. He is appalled at the Washingtons for their lack of
sensitivity for other humans and when saving himself at the end, he alsosensitivity for other humans and when saving himself at the end, he also
saves Kismine and Jasmine, without a second thought.saves Kismine and Jasmine, without a second thought.
Percy WashingtonPercy Washington
He is the elusive friend of John, who invites John to his home for theHe is the elusive friend of John, who invites John to his home for the
summer, fully aware that John will have to die. This proves his selfishnesssummer, fully aware that John will have to die. This proves his selfishness
as well as his disregard for human life, as he would rather let John die thanas well as his disregard for human life, as he would rather let John die than
be without a friend for the summer. He is conceited, insensitive, and isbe without a friend for the summer. He is conceited, insensitive, and is
obsessed with wealth. "I love jewels. I've got quite a collection of themobsessed with wealth. "I love jewels. I've got quite a collection of them
myself," he proudly informs John. He even refers to his limo as "old junkmyself," he proudly informs John. He even refers to his limo as "old junk
used for a station wagon." He shows that he cares for nothing except forused for a station wagon." He shows that he cares for nothing except for
his own personal wealth and happiness.his own personal wealth and happiness.
7. CONTD…CONTD…
Braddock WashingtonBraddock Washington
Mr. Braddock Washington establishes himself as the antagonist early uponMr. Braddock Washington establishes himself as the antagonist early upon
meeting him. Percy's father and the richest man in the world, he stumbles upon ameeting him. Percy's father and the richest man in the world, he stumbles upon a
diamond the size of an entire mountain and goes to great lengths to protect hisdiamond the size of an entire mountain and goes to great lengths to protect his
wealth. He has captivated slaves, "darkies," to mine the diamond, and even haswealth. He has captivated slaves, "darkies," to mine the diamond, and even has
aircraft guns to protect the mine. He has complete disregard for the human race,aircraft guns to protect the mine. He has complete disregard for the human race,
and anyone that comes to his home is locked in a cage in the ground or promptlyand anyone that comes to his home is locked in a cage in the ground or promptly
killed. Even when his end is near, he tries to bribe God with a diamond, evenkilled. Even when his end is near, he tries to bribe God with a diamond, even
though it is the diamonds that have caused his destruction.though it is the diamonds that have caused his destruction.
Kismine WashingtonKismine Washington
She is Percy's younger sister who falls in love with John. Because of her love forShe is Percy's younger sister who falls in love with John. Because of her love for
John, she warns him of his upcoming death and says that she is "sorry that JohnJohn, she warns him of his upcoming death and says that she is "sorry that John
will have to be put away." This statement of hers also brings out another of herwill have to be put away." This statement of hers also brings out another of her
traits. She is very naive of the common world and even death. Although she hasn'ttraits. She is very naive of the common world and even death. Although she hasn't
invited any "guests" to stay at the house yet, she believes that she will "harden upinvited any "guests" to stay at the house yet, she believes that she will "harden up
to it." Her naivety also prevails when she is looking at her collection of rhinestones.to it." Her naivety also prevails when she is looking at her collection of rhinestones.
She states that she would much rather have rhinestones than diamonds, because sheShe states that she would much rather have rhinestones than diamonds, because she
was "getting a little tired of diamonds." As she has only experienced her own richwas "getting a little tired of diamonds." As she has only experienced her own rich
life, she is also very naive of the average life style. She casually states to John,life, she is also very naive of the average life style. She casually states to John,
"Think of the millions and millions of people in the world, labourers and all, who"Think of the millions and millions of people in the world, labourers and all, who
get along with only two maids."get along with only two maids."
8. CONTD…CONTD…
Jasmine WashingtonJasmine Washington
She is another sister of Percy Washington and a static character. TheShe is another sister of Percy Washington and a static character. The
readers do not learn too much about her except that she is also veryreaders do not learn too much about her except that she is also very
"hardened" by the wealth. She thinks little of inviting friends to her home,"hardened" by the wealth. She thinks little of inviting friends to her home,
knowing fully that they will be murdered at the end of their stay. However,knowing fully that they will be murdered at the end of their stay. However,
she is selfish and would rather have their company for the summer beforeshe is selfish and would rather have their company for the summer before
they are murdered, than be without friends.they are murdered, than be without friends.
The PrisonersThe Prisoners
Underneath his all-green golf course, Braddock Washington hasUnderneath his all-green golf course, Braddock Washington has
imprisoned two dozen aviators who had the misfortune to discover hisimprisoned two dozen aviators who had the misfortune to discover his
property. They are a spirited bunch, shouting curses and defiant insults atproperty. They are a spirited bunch, shouting curses and defiant insults at
Washington when he stops by for a visit but also trying to talk him intoWashington when he stops by for a visit but also trying to talk him into
releasing them. When they hear that one of their number managed toreleasing them. When they hear that one of their number managed to
escape, they dance and sing in celebration.escape, they dance and sing in celebration.
9. SUMMARYSUMMARY
The story tells of John T. Unger, a teenager from the town ofThe story tells of John T. Unger, a teenager from the town of
Hades, Mississippi, who was sent to a private boarding schoolHades, Mississippi, who was sent to a private boarding school
in Boston. During the summer he would visit the homes of hisin Boston. During the summer he would visit the homes of his
classmates, the vast majority of whom were from wealthyclassmates, the vast majority of whom were from wealthy
families.families.
In the middle of his sophomore year, a young man namedIn the middle of his sophomore year, a young man named
Percy Washington was placed in Unger's form. He wouldPercy Washington was placed in Unger's form. He would
speak only to Unger, and then very rarely, but invited him forspeak only to Unger, and then very rarely, but invited him for
the summer to his home, the location of which he would onlythe summer to his home, the location of which he would only
state as being "in the West", an invitation Unger accepted.state as being "in the West", an invitation Unger accepted.
During the train ride Percy boasted that his father was "by farDuring the train ride Percy boasted that his father was "by far
the richest man in the world", and when challenged by Ungerthe richest man in the world", and when challenged by Unger
boasted that his father "has a diamond bigger than the Ritz-boasted that his father "has a diamond bigger than the Ritz-
Carlton Hotel."Carlton Hotel."
10. CONTD…CONTD…
Unger would later learn that he was in Montana, inUnger would later learn that he was in Montana, in
the "only five square miles of land in the countrythe "only five square miles of land in the country
that's never been surveyed," and the unusual andthat's never been surveyed," and the unusual and
bizarre story that proved Percy's boasts to bebizarre story that proved Percy's boasts to be
incredibly true.incredibly true.
Percy's ancestry traces back to bothPercy's ancestry traces back to both GeorgeGeorge
WashingtonWashington andand Lord BaltimoreLord Baltimore. His grandfather,. His grandfather,
Fitz-Norman Culpepper Washington, decided to leaveFitz-Norman Culpepper Washington, decided to leave
Virginia and head west with his slaves to enter theVirginia and head west with his slaves to enter the
sheep and cattle ranching business. However, on hissheep and cattle ranching business. However, on his
claim he discovered not only a diamond mine, but aclaim he discovered not only a diamond mine, but a
mountain consisting ofmountain consisting of one solid diamondone solid diamond..
11. CONTD…CONTD…
Washington immediately found himself in aWashington immediately found himself in a
quandary. By all accounts he would be the richestquandary. By all accounts he would be the richest
man ever to live – however, the sheer quantity ofman ever to live – however, the sheer quantity of
diamonds would drive their value to virtuallydiamonds would drive their value to virtually
nothing.nothing.
He immediately hatched a plan, whereby his brotherHe immediately hatched a plan, whereby his brother
read to the negroes a fabricated proclamation byread to the negroes a fabricated proclamation by
GeneralGeneral Nathan Bedford ForrestNathan Bedford Forrest that the South hadthat the South had
defeated the North in thedefeated the North in the American Civil WarAmerican Civil War – thus– thus
keeping them in perpetual slavery. Washingtonkeeping them in perpetual slavery. Washington
travels the world selling only a few diamonds at atravels the world selling only a few diamonds at a
time, in order to avoid flooding the market, buttime, in order to avoid flooding the market, but
enough to give him enormous wealth.enough to give him enormous wealth.
12. CONTD…CONTD…
In order to keep the diamond a secret, the Washington familyIn order to keep the diamond a secret, the Washington family
goes to appalling lengths. Airmen who stray into the area aregoes to appalling lengths. Airmen who stray into the area are
captured and kept in a dungeon. People who visit are killedcaptured and kept in a dungeon. People who visit are killed
and their parents told that they have succumbed to an illnessand their parents told that they have succumbed to an illness
while staying there.while staying there.
John falls in love with Percy's sister, Kismine, whoJohn falls in love with Percy's sister, Kismine, who
accidentally lets slip that he too will be killed before he'saccidentally lets slip that he too will be killed before he's
allowed to leave. That night, an escaped airman launches anallowed to leave. That night, an escaped airman launches an
attack on the property and Percy's father offers a bribe to God,attack on the property and Percy's father offers a bribe to God,
"the greatest diamond in the world", but God refuses. John,"the greatest diamond in the world", but God refuses. John,
Kismine and Jasmine, another sister, escape while Percy andKismine and Jasmine, another sister, escape while Percy and
his mother and father choose to blow up the mountain ratherhis mother and father choose to blow up the mountain rather
than leave it in the hands of others. Penniless, John, Kisminethan leave it in the hands of others. Penniless, John, Kismine
and Jasmine are left to ponder their fate.and Jasmine are left to ponder their fate.
13. ANALYSISANALYSIS
Through Unger's perspective, Fitzgerald condemns not just theThrough Unger's perspective, Fitzgerald condemns not just the
Washingtons' amoral lifestyle, but also the middle-classWashingtons' amoral lifestyle, but also the middle-class
attitude towards wealth that makes their lifestyle possible. Theattitude towards wealth that makes their lifestyle possible. The
reader waits in vain for Unger to speak out, to express somereader waits in vain for Unger to speak out, to express some
outrage or horror at the Washingtons' way of life, but until hisoutrage or horror at the Washingtons' way of life, but until his
own life is threatened, Unger seems willing to overlook almostown life is threatened, Unger seems willing to overlook almost
anything to continue enjoying the luxuries and pleasures ofanything to continue enjoying the luxuries and pleasures of
their home. Because Unger is not as wealthy as his classmatestheir home. Because Unger is not as wealthy as his classmates
at St. Midas, he is even more easily seduced by their lifestyle,at St. Midas, he is even more easily seduced by their lifestyle,
and his astonishment at the home's extravagance is more inand his astonishment at the home's extravagance is more in
line with what the average reader might feel.line with what the average reader might feel.
14. CONTD…CONTD…
This short story has several themes running throughout.This short story has several themes running throughout.
However, the reader soon learns that the central themeHowever, the reader soon learns that the central theme
Fitzgerald wished to display was that too much money andFitzgerald wished to display was that too much money and
material goods causes a person to lose their sense of realitymaterial goods causes a person to lose their sense of reality
and morality. This is made evident through various events thatand morality. This is made evident through various events that
take place in the story. For example, it is the diamond itselftake place in the story. For example, it is the diamond itself
that has caused the Washingtons to isolate themselves in thethat has caused the Washingtons to isolate themselves in the
hills of Montana. They wish to preserve the mine forhills of Montana. They wish to preserve the mine for
themselves and live their lives in solitary in the hills. Inthemselves and live their lives in solitary in the hills. In
addition, their sense of morality is entirely lost, as they eitheraddition, their sense of morality is entirely lost, as they either
kill or cage everybody that enters the property, even ifkill or cage everybody that enters the property, even if
someone just accidentally stumbles upon the land.someone just accidentally stumbles upon the land.
15. CONTD…CONTD…
The Washingtons will even go to the extent of invitingThe Washingtons will even go to the extent of inviting
friends to the home, having fun for the summer, andfriends to the home, having fun for the summer, and
then killing them at the end of their stay so that theythen killing them at the end of their stay so that they
can not report what they have seen. This moral decaycan not report what they have seen. This moral decay
continues until the very end, even when thecontinues until the very end, even when the
Washington's have been discovered. Instead of prayingWashington's have been discovered. Instead of praying
to God, or even pleading, Braddock tries to bribe Godto God, or even pleading, Braddock tries to bribe God
with diamonds to save his wealth. Needless to say, hiswith diamonds to save his wealth. Needless to say, his
bribe is rejected, and the mountain is destroyed.bribe is rejected, and the mountain is destroyed.
Fitzgerald's lesson was clear: if you become tooFitzgerald's lesson was clear: if you become too
obsessed with material wealth, the decay of moralityobsessed with material wealth, the decay of morality
will soon follow.will soon follow.
16. RHETORICSRHETORICS
The Diamond as Big as the Ritz" is told from the third personThe Diamond as Big as the Ritz" is told from the third person
point of view, from the perspective of John T. Unger.point of view, from the perspective of John T. Unger.
Fitzgerald makes his story come alive with detailedFitzgerald makes his story come alive with detailed
descriptions of the environment and the characters. Althoughdescriptions of the environment and the characters. Although
his style is very simplistic, and he doesn't use a lot ofhis style is very simplistic, and he doesn't use a lot of
sophisticated vocabulary, his figurative language gives thesophisticated vocabulary, his figurative language gives the
story a sophisticated sound. For example, similies appear onstory a sophisticated sound. For example, similies appear on
almost every page: "The Montana sunset lay between twoalmost every page: "The Montana sunset lay between two
mountains like a gigantic bruise from which dark arteriesmountains like a gigantic bruise from which dark arteries
spread themselves over a poisoned sky." His metaphorsspread themselves over a poisoned sky." His metaphors
provide effective descriptions as well: "Percy's mouth was aprovide effective descriptions as well: "Percy's mouth was a
half-moon of scorn." From the figurative language, the readershalf-moon of scorn." From the figurative language, the readers
are able to grasp a feel of what it would be like to be in theare able to grasp a feel of what it would be like to be in the
shoes of John T. Unger.shoes of John T. Unger.
17. CONTD…CONTD…
Fitzgerald's use of extreme exaggeration, increases the feelingFitzgerald's use of extreme exaggeration, increases the feeling
of fantasy, and his descriptions of the Washingtons' home haveof fantasy, and his descriptions of the Washingtons' home have
a surreal quality. By making the chateau impossibly luxurious,a surreal quality. By making the chateau impossibly luxurious,
Fitzgerald lets the reader know, once again, that this is not aFitzgerald lets the reader know, once again, that this is not a
literal or realistic story. A diamond as big as an entireliteral or realistic story. A diamond as big as an entire
mountain, a clear crystal bathtub with tropical fish swimmingmountain, a clear crystal bathtub with tropical fish swimming
beneath the glass, hallways lined with fur, dinner plates ofbeneath the glass, hallways lined with fur, dinner plates of
solid diamond, a car interior upholstered in tapestries, goldsolid diamond, a car interior upholstered in tapestries, gold
and precious gems — all these extravagant, unreal elementsand precious gems — all these extravagant, unreal elements
add to the otherworldly character of the Washingtons'add to the otherworldly character of the Washingtons'
property. Furthermore, they seemed to suggest a sense that tooproperty. Furthermore, they seemed to suggest a sense that too
much is indeed too much.much is indeed too much.
