How could "The Curious Case of Benjamin Button", story that is only 24 pages in length, inspire a three-hour movie?
It is owed to F. Scott Fitzgerald's insightful and humorous account of Benjamin Button's life. The story begins with the birth of Benjamin as an old man. As the story progresses, Benjamin grows younger.
While the story is not difficult to understand, Fitzgerald addresses many issues in just a few pages. He uses the story to comment on the role that senior citizens play in society and how people react to aging.
When Benjamin is born, his appearance frightens the doctors and nurses, who fear the hospital will lose its good reputation. Even his father worries more about what people will say than he does about Benjamin's welfare. Benjamin is seen as a burden, a commentary on society's view of older citizens.
Fitzgerald also addresses the concept of beauty, and how its transitory presence often leads to questionable decisions. Benjamin falls in love with a general's daughter, Hildegarde Moncrief, whose beauty captivates Benjamin. However, as she ages and Benjamin becomes younger, he loses interest in her.
Fitzgerald's most pointed criticism is at the "proper" society of Baltimore, and in general the confederacy, in the late 1800s. It is because of this society that Roscoe, Benjamin's son, disdainfully makes his father call him "uncle" because Benjamin looks too young to call Roscoe by his first name.
The length of "The Curious Case of Benjamin Button" makes the story extremely accessible to readers while its content provokes philosophical questions about the standards of society in regards to beauty and aging.
By Maria Stayer
York Suburban Senior High School
I heard that the book is way better than the movie . . . the movie was total nonsense. One of the most pointless movies I have ever watched. Very uninteresting. Probably one of the worst movies from last year, and it ended up getting a Best Pic nomination . . .