is a lawyer that falls on hard times much the way the Forresters do. Literary significance and criticism The novel has a robust symbolic framework. Critical approaches have noted that the character of Marian Forrester symbolically embodies both the American Dream, as well as the gradual decline of the American West. Legacy and influence The novel had an acknowledged influence on writer F. Scott Fitzgerald who borrowed many of its themes and elements. Marian Forrester, in particular, partly inspired his Daisy Buchanan character in The Great Gatsby. Fitzgerald later wrote a letter to Cather apologizing for any unintentional plagiarism. Media adaptations The first film version of the novel was created in 1924, adapted by Dorothy Farnum. Directed by Harry Beaumont, the film starred Irene Rich, Matt Moore, June Marlowe, and John Roche. It would also be adapted very loosely into a film of the same name in 1934 by Gene Markey, and starred Barbara Stanwyck as Marian Forrester. The film did not live up to the novel's reputation and is generally regarded as mediocre. Cather was so displeased with the film that she forbade any further film or stage adaptations of her work. References Citations Works cited External links A Lost Lady at the IMDB 1923 American novels Novels by Willa Cather Alfred A. Knopf books American novels adapted into films Third-person narrative novels