Themes
Key
LitCharts assigns a color and icon to each theme in Tender Is the Night, which you can use to track the themes throughout the work.
Excess, Destruction, and the Failed American Dream
Gender, Mental Illness, and Psychiatry
The Pursuit of Youth and Innocence
Racism and Otherness
Summary
Analysis
Rosemary is relieved when Nicole decides not to join them all at an art show that evening in Paris. Rosemary finds her to be unpredictable and is “somewhat afraid” of Nicole.
While, initially, Rosemary had claimed to be in love with both Dick and Nicole, Rosemary’s feelings here suggest the beginning of a conflict or rivalry between the two women. Rosemary’s fear of Nicole indicates that Nicole possesses more power in their relationship, but that her instability and “unpredictable” nature undermine her authority.
Themes
Sitting by the river with Dick and Abe and Mary North, Rosemary takes note of how much they drink, particularly Abe. She decides to have a glass of champagne, hoping it will impress Dick, before announcing that she turned 18 yesterday. Dick assures her that they will throw a party for her the following night.
After several days traveling with the Divers and Norths, Rosemary begins to understand the extent of their drinking habit. Correlating alcohol with maturity, Rosemary believes that she can impress Dick by drinking a glass of champagne. Of course, Rosemary misdirects her energies, for it is her innocence and youth that Dick is attracted to, not her maturity.
Themes
Abe is due to head back to America shortly and talks proudly of his plans to take the music world by storm. Despite Mary’s request that they have an early night, Abe continues to order more drinks. Although Dick loves Abe fondly, “he had long lost hope” for him, and so when Abe tries to pour Rosemary another drink, Dick decides it’s time for him and Rosemary to leave. Before he does, he makes a joke about abandoning his medical career. Mary is “shocked” by this and exclaims “Oh, Dick!” She is a “brave, hopeful woman” who has spent many years of her life following her husband around the world, “changing herself” for him, and getting little in return.
Abe has achieved almost nothing since his fluke success early in life as a composer. Having fritted away the past years drinking excessively and romping around Europe, he and Mary have decided it’s high time they applied themselves to useful endeavors. Dick seems to understand them better than themselves, however, and his lack of hope for Abe’s redemption forebodes his forthcoming downfall. Dick’s joke about his career is the first indication that he, too, is unhappy. Again, Fitzgerald reveals the lack of power women hold in society when suggesting that Mary has dedicated her life to her husband’s pursuits, rather than her own.
Themes
