* Exposure to European culture and society: Fitzgerald lived in France and Italy in the 1920s, experiencing the vibrant artistic and social scene of the "Lost Generation" firsthand. This exposure to European sophistication and hedonism, especially in contrast to the American scene, informed his depiction of the wealthy and glamorous characters in *The Great Gatsby*.
* Observation of social class and inequality: Fitzgerald observed the stark contrasts between the lives of the European aristocracy and the struggling American expats, a theme he would later weave into *The Great Gatsby* through the portrayal of Gatsby's yearning for the unattainable social status of Daisy Buchanan.
* Development of his themes: The disillusionment and cynicism that Fitzgerald witnessed in Europe, especially after World War I, seeped into his writing. *The Great Gatsby* reflects this, exploring the emptiness of the American Dream and the hollowness of wealth and status.
* Style and language: Fitzgerald's European experiences also influenced his writing style. He became adept at capturing the elegance and beauty of European literature, using vivid imagery and poetic language to describe the glamour and decay of the Jazz Age.
It's important to note that while his European experience shaped Fitzgerald's perspective and themes, *The Great Gatsby* is ultimately a story set in America. The novel utilizes European influences as a lens through which to critique American society and the elusive nature of the American Dream.
Therefore, while Fitzgerald did not live in Europe *during* the writing of *The Great Gatsby*, his experiences abroad significantly shaped his perspective on the American social scene and fueled the thematic and stylistic elements that made the novel a timeless masterpiece.