This Side of Paradise Summary
Description
Here you will find a This Side of Paradise summary (F. Scott Fitzgerald's book).
We begin with a summary of the entire book, and then you can read each individual chapter's summary by visiting the links on the "Chapters" section.
P.S.: As an Amazon Associate, we earn money from purchases made through links in this page. But the summaries are totally free!
Last Updated: Monday 1 Jan, 2024
Chapters
Chapters This Side of Paradise Summary Overview
The narrative follows the trajectory of Amory Blaine, born of Beatrice, a woman of wealth and sophistication. Amory spends his formative years traversing the country with his mother before attending an esteemed preparatory academy in New England. His good looks and intellect gain him entrance into Princeton, though his academic endeavors are marked by laziness. As he battles the fear of failure, he eventually surrenders to apathy, preferring self-education through reading and conversations with peers over traditional classroom learning. As his time at Princeton draws to a close, war breaks out and Amory is compelled to enlist, leaving his academic pursuits behind. Tragically, he loses his mother while serving overseas. Upon his return, he falls for Rosalind Connage, a debutante and sister to his college friend, Alec. Their love story is cut short when Rosalind refuses to marry into financial instability, as a result of Amory's ill-fated family investments. Despite his best efforts to secure a stable income, Rosalind deserts him for a richer suitor. Heartbroken, Amory numbs his pain with alcohol until the onset of Prohibition. Amory's journey towards self-discovery gains momentum following a fleeting summer love affair with Eleanor, a spirited woman. A scandal ensues when Alec is found with a girl in his hotel room, for which Amory assumes responsibility. Then, he is dealt another blow with the death of Monsignor Darcy, a close family friend and paternal figure in his life. With his family fortune nearly depleted, Amory decides to trudge back to Princeton. En route, he is offered a ride by a wealthy man who lost his son in the war. Amory espouses his newfound socialist views before continuing his journey on foot. Arriving at Princeton late in the night, he yearns for Rosalind once more. Looking up at the stars, he asserts his self-awareness, stating "I know myself, but that is all--".
book 1 chapter 1
Amory Blaine's story starts with his upbringing, before he sets foot in Princeton. His mother, Beatrice, a wealthy, cultured lady from Lake Geneva, Wisconsin, marries the insignificant Stephen Blaine due to boredom. She dotes on Amory, her only child, sharing her knowledge and high society experiences with him. Beatrice's fondness for the clergy, particularly Monsignor Darcy—whose romantic ties with Beatrice led him to priesthood—also influences Amory. When Beatrice faces a nervous breakdown, Amory spends two years with relatives in Minneapolis. Amory's upbringing distinguishes him from his peers. At a party, he makes a grand late entrance that upsets the day and woos Myra St. Claire into kissing him, which he finds revolting. Amory is shown as a young boy, often falling in love, reading avidly, transforming yet detesting formal education. Eventually, he decides to attend a boarding school, choosing St. Regis and forming a close connection with Monsignor Darcy. Amory faces challenges at St. Regis, with others viewing him as arrogant and his teachers seeing him as undisciplined but intelligent. Over time, he gains popularity as a football star and even falls for a leading actress during a New York show. Amory, always mindful of social dynamics, creates a way to differentiate between "The Big Man" and "The Slicker" at campus, classifying himself as the former. Opting for Princeton over Yale and Harvard, Amory's "slicker" classification collapses during his third year.
book 1 chapter 2
Amory, Kerry and Burne Holiday adjust to life at Princeton. Despite efforts to fit in by joining football and the newspaper "The Daily Princetonian," they realize they're not among the elite. They decide to simply enjoy their college life. Amory finds a friend in book-lover, Tom D'Invilliers. They exchange life experiences; Tom shares his literary interests while Amory introduces him to Princeton's social scene. Even as World War I starts, Amory is more concerned with his activities in the newspaper and the Triangle Club, a musical theater group. During a Triangle Club tour, Amory experiences the modern American social life. The narrator describes the shift from the traditional 'belle' and her suitors to the modern 'P.D.'— a popular daughter who drinks, smokes, and kisses casually. Amory, a handsome man, thrives in this environment. Amory meets an attractive P.D., Isabelle, at the Minnehaha Club in Minnesota. They quickly fall in love, and their relationship continues through letters even after Amory returns to Princeton. Amory's active participation in the newspaper earns him an elite status, and he is admitted into the Cottage, a prestigious campus club. He recalls his sophomore spring as one of the happiest times, especially a weekend trip with friends where they lived carefree and enjoyed their youth. Amory admires Dick Humbird for his social grace, despite learning that Dick comes from "new money." Amory and Tom reflect on the effects of Princeton's social scene on them. They continue partying, but a tragic car accident that kills Dick Humbird sobers them. Soon after, Amory reunites with Isabelle for a prom and later spends time with her family on Long Island.
book 1 chapter 3
Amory and Isabelle's relationship ends abruptly after a minor argument triggered by Amory's shirt-stud injuring Isabelle's neck. She calls him egocentric, leading him to realize their lack of mutual love. Amory flunks a previous semester course and returns to school early to retake it. Despite the risk of losing his place in the newspaper and social standing, he neglects to study and fails again. This prompts an introspective revelation about his prior conformity and a rediscovery of his true self. The death of Amory's father barely affects him emotionally, but he becomes interested in the family's dwindling finances due to ill-advised investments. Afterwards, Amory pays a visit to Monsignor Darcy who differentiates "personalities" from "personages". This somewhat ambiguous comparison leads Amory to feel rejuvenated and ready for a fresh start. Following his retreat from the school's social milieu, he pens a disparaging poem about his previous social circle. The decision of his friend, Kerry Holiday, to join the Lafayette Escadrille inspires admiration in him. A trip to New York with a friend turns surreal when Amory believes he spots the devil at a girl's apartment. He escapes to an alleyway where his paranoia deepens, leaving him yearning for someone good and uncomplicated. Back in Princeton, his friend Tom also claims to see the devil, leading to an all-night discussion about their shared hallucination.
book 1 chapter 4
During his final year, Amory is aware of some juniors planning to quit their clubs as a protest. Burne Holiday, brother to Kerry, is behind this movement. Conversations with Burne show Amory how passive he's become. Burne's influence rekindles Amory's mental curiosity. Despite being serious, Burne is known for causing controlled chaos, like placing a taxicab in a dean's office. The friendship between Amory and Burne intensifies as Burne distances himself from societal norms and turns into a sort of martyr. Burne shares his approach to understanding others, stating, "it always makes everything all right to project yourself completely into another's place." Amory begins to mimic Burne's behavior, creating unrest in the Cottage club by inviting odd guests for dinner. Alec is upset by Amory's change, but Amory requests his acceptance as long as he remains unchanged in private. Monsignor Darcy, in a letter, urges Amory to visit Clara, his impoverished widowed cousin, in Philadelphia. However, Clara isn't the picture of destitution Amory envisioned; he falls for her. Despite her beauty and appeal, she confesses she has never loved and isn't in love with him. Clara notes Amory's unexpected modesty and recognizes his lack of self-esteem and judgement. Amory sees her as the only woman who might chose another man over him. When the war arrives in America, men begin to enlist. Burne, identifying as a pacifist, gives away all his possessions and heads to Pennsylvania on an old bicycle. Amory and his friends join the war, each wrestling with who's to blame for the conflict. Amory faults the Victorians in a poem he writes. As Amory and Tom leave for war, they bid a heartfelt farewell to Princeton.
interlude
The brief interlude narrates Amory's war experiences through two correspondences and a brief narrative. Monsignor Darcy's letter to Amory, dated January 1918, criticizes the brutalities of the war, drawing historical comparisons. He hints at his wish to be Amory's father, commending Amory's responsible, mature involvement in the war. Darcy feels a deep connection, praising their shared faith and simplicity. He includes a poem that nods to their shared Celtic heritage, and expresses his concern that they may not both survive the war, seeing Amory as a younger version of himself. While sailing to Europe, Amory pens a brief poem about his departure, suggesting remorse over the "futile years" of the war. The final correspondence, dated January 1919, is from Amory in Brest, Germany, to Tom in America, detailing his post-war plans. He speaks of his desire to share an apartment with Tom and Alec Connage in Manhattan and possibly entering politics. He criticizes the American focus on wealth over public service, mentioning Beatrice's death and her donation to the church. Amory expresses his desire to "write immortal literature" if he felt confident enough to share his thoughts. He mourns the loss of Kerry and Jesse, speculates about Burne's whereabouts, and reflects on the allure of Paris over spirituality in Europe. He fears getting overweight or falling in love and aspires to lead an "emotionless, contemplative life" upon his return.
book 2 chapter 1
The story unfolds as a play, with Rosalind Connage, Alec's sister, celebrating her debutante entrance into society at their New York residence. Rosalind, described as an attractive and worldly, albeit spoilt, young lady, is visited by Amory in her dressing room. As they chat like seasoned socialites, they share a kiss. Rosalind reveals she was expelled from school and has kissed numerous men, and likely will kiss many more. Amory contrasts a sentimental and a romantic person, leaving with a desire to kiss Rosalind again, but she refuses, claiming victory in their encounter. Rosalind's mother advises her on the art of attracting wealthy men like Dawson Ryder and encourages her to play by the rules. Later, Rosalind rejects an ex-boyfriend, meets Dawson, but falls for Amory. The narrative style returns to conventional prose, detailing the passionate months Rosalind and Amory spend in love. Amory secures a job at an ad agency, hoping to earn enough to please Rosalind. The story returns to dialogue form with Rosalind’s mother voicing her disapproval over Rosalind spending ample time with Amory instead of a richer suitor. Amory, appearing worn out, is rejected by Rosalind who feels the need to marry a rich man, arguing that she would lose her charm living without wealth. Consequently, a defeated Amory is compelled to leave.
book 2 chapter 2
Amory turns to alcohol to numb his emotional pain and drowns his sorrows at a club, getting heavily intoxicated. He wakes up at the club's hotel room and resumes his drinking, lamenting over his lost love. He plunges himself into numerous social gatherings but hides his distress from others. He resigns from his job, expressing his dislike for its meaninglessness. After four exhausting days, Amory comes back to his apartment. He informs a curious Tom about his encounters with all sorts of people. Tom reveals that Alec has left the apartment to return home, which may pose a financial challenge for them. However, they decide to stay and live modestly. Amory hides away all the love letters and keepsakes from Rosalind and continues his self-destructive behavior, leaving Tom behind. Amory's binge drinking comes to a halt after three weeks due to the introduction of Prohibition, causing alcohol to be scarce. He adapts to this change without any remorse and starts to read extensively. He reconnects with Monsignor Darcy's friend, Mrs. Lawrence, who helps spark his enthusiasm for life again. Amory, still feeling weary and aged, criticizes Tom for his cynical review column in the scholarly magazine, "The New Democracy". He vows to write only when his thoughts are clearer and declares he will never love again like he loved Rosalind. Tom fires back, critiquing the mediocrity of contemporary writers and predicting their short-lived fame. However, Amory attempts to write a brief story about his lost youth. Eventually, Tom is obligated to leave the apartment to look after his ill mother. This prompts Amory to visit Darcy in Washington. Failing to find Darcy, Amory chooses to stay with a relative in Maryland where he meets Eleanor.
book 2 chapter 3
The account commences by illustrating the aftermath of Amory and Eleanor's relationship, noting that they would never experience a shared adventure like this again. Originally, Eleanor resided with her grandfather in Maryland, and this is where she first encountered Amory. While strolling through the Maryland countryside one day, reciting Poe, Amory is caught in a sudden storm. Seeking shelter, he rushes into a field and hears someone singing Verlaine, a French poet, in a haystack. Eleanor inquires about the intruder, and Amory, introducing himself as Don Juan, joins her in her straw haven. Their conversation is brimming with youthful intellect, and they discover a striking similarity in their thought processes. As they bid each other farewell in the rain, they share a kiss. Amory finds himself smitten with the place and this eighteen-year-old free-spirited girl, who had lived in France and had upset her Baltimore relatives with her wild behavior, which led to her living with her grandfather. Their time together is spent discussing love and seasons, with Eleanor expressing her disappointment of having to marry a man less intelligent than her. The night before Amory's departure, they take a horse ride to a cliff. Amory prophesies that Eleanor will abandon her paganism and seek a priest on her deathbed. To this, Eleanor responds by charging towards the cliff on her horse, only to leap off at the last moment, just before the horse could fall over. This incident mars their love, resulting in Amory's departure to New York. However, years later they exchange beautiful poems to reminisce about their past love.
book 2 chapter 4
Amory is found in Atlantic City by Alec Connage and a group of girls, despite his reluctance to socialize due to recent deaths among his acquaintances. He agrees to stay at Alec's hotel but isolates himself in his room, mourning his lost youth and his former lover, Rosalind, and eventually drifts off to sleep. Awakening to a commotion, he finds Alec and a female companion in distress, as hotel detectives are searching for a man and woman sharing a room unmarried. Amory contemplates the concept of sacrifice, recalling a college peer who took the blame for another's cheating and subsequently committed suicide due to the fallout. He recognizes the potential resentment Alec might harbor towards him if he offers assistance. Choosing to intervene, Amory protects Alec from potential scandal due to his family ties, and takes responsibility for the woman. They're caught by the authorities, but instead of pressing charges that could lead to imprisonment, the hotel opts for discretion. They decide to run a small newspaper piece about the incident to save their reputation, to which Amory reacts with dignity and respect towards the woman involved. The false couple then share breakfast, and the woman curiously asks if Alec holds more significance than Amory, leaving him amused and contemplative. Upon his return to New York, Amory stumbles upon the newspaper snippet about the incident and the announcement of Rosalind's engagement to Dawson Ryder right above it. This news casts a gloom over him as he considers his once beloved Rosalind essentially gone from his life. Financial troubles follow as he learns about the failure of his family's investments and the cessation of monetary support. Adding to his misery, he receives a telegram with news of Monsignor Darcy's demise soon after.
book 2 chapter 5
In the city, Amory contemplates poverty for the first time, expressing his dislike of the destitute. He explores the psychological distress of urban dwellers and engages in a self-dialogue, represented as "Q" and "A". This conversation reveals his belief that when good people go wrong, it releases energy that others are drawn to. "A" notes that Amory is now warming himself on other people's energy and reflects on his reluctance to regain his youth just to lose it again. His thoughts wander to his youth, finances, and lost friends. When he is refused entry to a private club, he accepts this without resentment. Amory imagines dissipating in far-off places and mourns the loss of his heroes, Burne Holiday and Darcy. With their departure, his romantic relationships haven't transformed into art. He discovers that he is lost in the maze of life and, at Darcy's funeral, decides he wants to offer people security. Penniless, Amory sets off on foot to Princeton. A wealthy, heavy-set man and his annoying secretary offer him a ride. Ignoring the secretary, Amory embarks on a discourse with the man about people's relationship with money and criticizes capitalism. He contrasts the "spiritually married man", who conforms to existing systems and strives for success within them, with the "spiritually unmarried man" who encourages change and growth. The man, Mr. Ferrenby, disagrees with Amory's socialist ideas but likes him regardless. When Mr. Ferrenby reveals he is the father of Amory's late friend Jesse, Amory commends his son before continuing his journey. As Amory walks, he realizes that he must accept his selfishness. He stops at a Civil War cemetery, which evokes memories of his past loves. Arriving at Princeton around midnight, he sympathizes with the students who are still bound by outdated rules. Despite feeling the old spark of ambition and longing for Rosalind, he accepts his circumstances. He ends his journey with a declaration of self-realization: "'I know myself,' he cried, 'but that is all--'".
