If Scott had begun by being the more in love, after their marriage Zelda gave herself so completely that such comparisons were meaningless. And yet the precariousness of their situation was apparent from the start, as one learns from the diary of Alexander McKaig, an advertising man with literary ambitions who had been a classmate and close friend of Scott’s at Princeton.
April 12 . Called on Scott Fitz and his bride. Latter temperamental small town Southern Belle. Chews gum — shows knees. I do not think marriage can succeed. Both drinking heavily. Think they will be divorced in 3 years. Scott write something big — then die in a garret at 32.
June 13 Visit Fitz at Westport…. Terrible party. Fitz & Zelda fighting like mad — say themselves marriage can’t succeed.
Sept. 15 In the evening Zelda — drunk — having decided to leave Fitz & having nearly been killed walking down RR tracks, blew in. Fitz came shortly after. He had caught same train with no money or ticket. They threatened to put him off but finally let him stay on — Zelda refusing to give him any money. They continued their fight while here…. Fitz should let Zelda go & not run after her. Like all husbands he is afraid of what she may do in a moment of caprice…. Trouble is, Fitz absorbed in Zelda’s personality — she is the stronger of the two. She has supplied him with all his copy for women — Fitz argued about various things. Mind absolutely undisciplined but guesses right — intuition marvelous…. Senses the exact mood & drift of a situation so surely & quickly — much better at this than any of rest of us.
… Oct. 12 Went to Fitzgeralds. Usual problem there. What shall Zelda do? I think she might do a little housework — looks like a pig sty. If she’s there Fitz can’t work — she bothers him — if she’s not there he can’t work — worried of what she might do…. I told her she would have to make up her mind whether she wanted to go in movies or get in with young married set. To do that would require a little effort & Zelda will never make an effort. Moreover, she and Fitz like only aristocrats who don’t give a damn what the work thinks or clever bohemians who don’t give a damn what the world thinks…. Fitz makes a good criticism of himself — does not see more than lots of people but is able to put down more of what he sees.
… Oct. 16 Spent evening at Fitzgeralds. Fitz has been on wagon 8 days — talks as if it were a century. Zelda increasingly restless — says frankly she simply wants to be amused and is only good for useless, pleasure-giving pursuits; great problem — what is she to do? Fitz has his writing of course — God knows where the two of them are going to end up.
Oct. 20 Fitz is hard up now but Zelda is nagging him for a $750 fur coat & she can nag. Poor devil.
Oct. 21 Went up to Fitzgeralds to spend evening. They just recovering from an awful party. Much taken with idea of having a baby. Have just planned a good baby & a bad baby — former has Scott’s eyes, Zelda’s nose, Scott’s legs, Zelda’s mouth etc. Latter has Zelda’s legs, Scott’s hair etc. Scott hard up for money in spite of fact he had made $20,000 in past 12 months.
Oct. 25 Follies with Scott & Zelda. Fitz very cuckoo. Lost purse with $50.00 & then after every one in place hunted for it, found it. He did not have enough money to pay check of course.
Nov. 27 I spent evening shaving Zelda’s neck to make her bobbed hair look better. She is lovely — wonderful eyes and mouth.
Nov. 28 Scott said — to go through terrible toil of writing man must have belief his writings will be eagerly bought and forever.
Dec. 11 Evening at Fitz. Fitz & I argued with Zelda about notoriety they are getting through being so publicly and spectacularly drunk. Zelda wants to live life of an ‘extravagant.’ No thought of what world will think or of future. I told them they were headed for catastrophe if they kept up at present rate.
… April 17 Fitz confessed this evening at dinner that Zelda’s ideas entirely responsible for “Jelly Bean” & “Ice Palace.” Her ideas largely in this new novel. Had a long talk with her this evening about way fool women can rout intelligent women with the men. She is without doubt the most brilliant & most beautiful young woman I’ve ever known.
— Andrew Turnbull, in his book Scott Fitzgerald
