Questions About The Beautiful and Damned

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Answered Questions (4)

I just started reading The Beautiful and Damned. I really enjoyed the Great Gatsby. I'm not understanding this one line from the book. It's on the first page: " two years were already gone since irony, the Holy Ghost of this later day..." What is irony? What does "the Holy Ghost of this later day" mean? Thank you so much!

Gilbert Pilz People used to think of the Holy Ghost as inhabiting nearly everything. It's presence was everywhere and it was moving everything around from within. …morePeople used to think of the Holy Ghost as inhabiting nearly everything. It's presence was everywhere and it was moving everything around from within. "The Holy Ghost of this later day ..." is saying that this sense of the Holy Ghost has been replaced by the presence of irony; irony is now controlling everything.(less)

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Was this book considered a little autobiographical?

Marg Casey It is, but it has the cold distance of a creative work in that Fitzgerald skewers characters who might well have been inspired by himself and his circ…moreIt is, but it has the cold distance of a creative work in that Fitzgerald skewers characters who might well have been inspired by himself and his circle(less)

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Do you have to read "This Side of Paradise" to understand this book?

Annabelle No they're two separate books. They are similar in some respects, though. However, reading both allows you to look a little closer at the author and s…moreNo they're two separate books. They are similar in some respects, though. However, reading both allows you to look a little closer at the author and see where the themes and similarities overlap.(less)

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Has ANYONE noticed the error in the end notes or am I just the only pathetic nerd who wants to point it out?