Jacob's Ladder
The novel revolves around the lives of two families, the Harsteins and the Flints, who are connected through marriage. The story explores themes of class, morality, and the American Dream. The narrative centers on the decline of the Harstein family's social status as they struggle to maintain their wealth and influence in a rapidly changing society. Meanwhile, the Flint family rises to prominence due to their business acumen and moral integrity. Throughout the novel, the characters' actions are driven by their pursuit of material possessions, social standing, and personal satisfaction. The story ultimately reveals the emptiness and disillusionment that can result from prioritizing these goals over genuine relationships and values. The novel critiques the excesses of capitalism and the corrupting influence of wealth on individuals and society as a whole.
By F. Scott Fitzgerald · First published 1920 · Genre: Literary Fiction, Drama, Romance · 6 chapters · 11,605 words
First lines
It was a particularly sordid and degraded murder trial, and Jacob Booth, writhing quietly on a spectators' bench, felt that he had childishly gobbled something without being hungry, simply because it was there. The newspapers had humanized the case, made a cheap, neat problem play out of an affair of the jungle, so passes that actually admitted one to the court room were hard to get. Such a pass had been tendered him the evening before.
What this Textopian page supports
Jacob's Ladder is listed on Textopian as a novel by F. Scott Fitzgerald, dated 1920 CE.
This source record anchors work identity, reading entry points, and catalog context for checking claims about the work.
- Work type: Novel
- Author: F. Scott Fitzgerald
- Date: 1920 CE
- Language: English
- Genres: Literary Fiction, Drama, Romance, Social Commentary, Coming-of-Age
- Length: 11,605 words
- Structure: 6 chapters, 303 paragraphs
- Reading fit: Very Easy (5th Grade or below)
Good citation fit
- Work identity for Jacob's Ladder by F. Scott Fitzgerald
- Canonical title URL and first readable passage URL
- Genre and topic classification from the Textopian catalog
- Readability and classroom-planning context
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Discussion starters
- What should a reader notice first when entering Jacob's Ladder?
- How does this novel by F. Scott Fitzgerald fit its genre, period, or classroom use?
- Where does Literary Fiction first become important in the reading?
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Genres
- Literary Fiction — The work explores complex themes of love, identity, and societal expectations through rich character development and nuanced prose.
- Drama — The narrative centers around intense emotional conflicts and interpersonal relationships, particularly in the context of a murder trial and its aftermath.
- Romance — The evolving relationship between the protagonist and the young actress is a central focus, highlighting themes of unrequited love and emotional connection.
- Social Commentary — The story critiques societal norms, media sensationalism, and the impact of fame on personal relationships.
Tags
American Literature · Classic Novel · Coming-of-Age Story · Family Drama · Social Commentary · Literary Fiction · Symbolism · Metaphor · Allegory · Psychological Insight · Character Study · Themes of Identity