18. In “Babylon Revisited,” why did Fitzgerald choose the title to be metaphoric of Paris? (1 point)

Paris is a symbol of luxury.
Paris is living in a wealth that will end up destructive.
Paris was built to look like Babylon.
Paris is the city of love.

My answer
18.a

Paris is living in a wealth that will end up destructive.

To determine the answer, we need to analyze the story "Babylon Revisited" by F. Scott Fitzgerald and identify clues that suggest why he chose the title to be metaphoric of Paris.

In the story, the protagonist, Charlie Wales, is an American expatriate who previously lived a decadent and extravagant lifestyle in Paris during the 1920s. However, following the 1929 stock market crash and his own personal downfall, he returns to Paris a changed man, seeking to regain custody of his daughter, Honoria.

Given this context, we can eliminate the options "Paris is a symbol of luxury" and "Paris is the city of love" as they do not directly address Fitzgerald's choice of the title.

The option "Paris is the city of love" is more of a general description of Paris rather than a specific reason for Fitzgerald's choice. Although love is a recurring theme throughout the story, it does not directly tie to the metaphor of Babylon.

As for the option "Paris was built to look like Babylon," there is no evidence within the story suggesting that the physical appearance of Paris is the reason for Fitzgerald's choice of the title.

Therefore, the most logical choice would be "Paris is living in a wealth that will end up destructive." Throughout "Babylon Revisited," Fitzgerald portrays Paris as a city of excess and indulgence. It is a place where people live lavishly, indulging in the hedonistic pleasures of the time. However, this lifestyle ultimately leads to destruction and downfall, as exemplified by Charlie's own experiences.

In conclusion, Fitzgerald chose the title "Babylon Revisited" to be metaphoric of Paris because Paris represents a city that is living in a wealth that will ultimately lead to destruction.