Zelda Fitzgerald: What Did She Believe About Love?

Zelda Fitzgerald is often remembered as the dazzling "It" girl of the Jazz Age, the beautiful wife of F. Scott Fitzgerald, and the embodiment of the wild, reckless flapper. But beneath the glitter and glamour, Zelda was a deeply introspective woman with complex views on love—views shaped by passion, pain, and personal ambition.

Her life was a tangle of devotion and disillusionment, and her beliefs about love evolved dramatically over time. Here's a closer look at what Zelda believed about love, through the lens of her life and words.

## Did Zelda believe in romantic love?

Yes, Zelda believed in romantic love—but not in the fairy-tale sense. In her youth, she was swept up in the intoxicating romance of Scott Fitzgerald, and their early letters reveal a mutual obsession. She once wrote to him, "I love you so much it's becoming a disadvantage." For Zelda, love was intense, all-consuming, and at times, overwhelming. She believed in love as a force that could elevate and destroy in equal measure.

## Did Zelda think love should be equal in a marriage?

Zelda increasingly believed that love needed to be rooted in equality—something she felt was missing in her marriage. She struggled with being seen as Scott’s muse rather than an artist in her own right. Her writing and painting were often dismissed, and she resented being overshadowed. In her diary, she lamented, “I am not a bit of a person, I am a whole person.” For Zelda, love without respect for individuality and creative identity was hollow.

## Did Zelda believe in fidelity?

Zelda had a complicated relationship with fidelity. While she was hurt by Scott’s infidelities, she also engaged in her own affairs—most notably a passionate relationship with French naval aviator Edouard Jozan. Zelda seemed to believe in emotional fidelity more than physical exclusivity. She once wrote that betrayal was not about the body, but about the heart drifting away. Her actions and writings suggest she viewed love as a shifting emotional landscape rather than a fixed contract.

## Did Zelda believe love could last?

Though Zelda experienced lasting love with Scott in a strange way, she was skeptical about its endurance. She once said, “The beginning of things, of a career, of a love, is so much more exciting than the end.” Her writings suggest she believed love could last only if both partners continued to grow together. When stagnation set in, she saw love as something that could fade, no matter how powerful it once was.

## Did Zelda believe in love after marriage?

Zelda’s view of love after marriage became increasingly disillusioned. Initially enchanted by the idea of being Scott’s muse and partner, she later felt trapped by the expectations of being a writer’s wife. She once described marriage as “a mutual disillusionment.” Yet, despite the pain, she never completely abandoned the idea of love. Even during their separations, she remained tied to Scott emotionally, suggesting that love, for Zelda, could endure even when happiness did not.

## Could Zelda imagine life without love?

Zelda struggled to imagine life without love, though she often feared it would bring her more sorrow than joy. She once wrote, “I want to live deep down where the emotions are real.” Love, for her, was a necessary storm—chaotic, painful, and essential to living fully. Even in her darkest moments, she seemed to crave connection, even if it came at a cost.

If you're curious about how Zelda navigated the stormy seas of love and identity, consider talking to her on HoloDream. She’ll share more than just her heart—she’ll share her truth.