News Of Paris – Fifteen Years Ago by F. Scott Fitzgerald
Author: Francis Scott Fitzgerald
Published: Furioso (Winter 1947)
Genre: Short Stories
“News Of Paris – Fifteen Years Ago” is a short story by F. Scott Fitzgerald published posthumously in Furioso in the winter of 1947.
1. News Of Paris – Fifteen Years Ago Synopsis
“News Of Paris – Fifteen Years Ago” revolves around Henry Haven Dell, an American in Paris, and his interactions with two women, Ruth and Bessie. Ruth and Henry attend a wedding together but decide to avoid being seen arriving together to avoid gossip. Later, Ruth breaks off their relationship, and Henry meets Bessie Wing, who has recently broken her engagement.
They spend the day together, form a connection, and Henry contemplates his life and relationships. The story explores themes of fleeting connections, romantic entanglements, and the complexities of human relationships against the backdrop of Paris in April. It highlights how people can meet briefly and affect each other’s lives, even if those encounters are short-lived.
2. News Of Paris – Fifteen Years Ago Summary
In Paris, Henry Haven Dell is attending a wedding with Ruth. They discuss their arrival at the event to avoid suspicion, as many people know they are staying at the same hotel. They decide to walk separately to the church. Henry meets Ruth after the ceremony, and she informs him that she is breaking off their relationship. Meanwhile, he meets Bessie Wing, who has just broken her engagement.
They decide to have lunch together, and Henry eventually spends the day with her. They form a connection, but Henry has to leave to meet a boat. He calls the boat company but learns it’s delayed. Later, he visits an orphan he had helped, Hélène, who aspires to marry a rich American. He feels a pang of jealousy when he sees her with a reporter.
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