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
Back at the clinic a week later, Dick notices some “commotion outside.” He sees his colleague, Dr. Lladislau, protesting as one of their patients, Von Cohn Morris, places all his belongings inside a limousine and prepares to leave the clinic. As Dick approaches, the patient’s father, Mr. Morris, erupts furiously and shakes his finger at Dick, saying, “We’ve wasted our time and money.” Dr. Lladislau proves to be useless at helping the situation—“Dick had never liked” him—but when Dick tries to lead Mr. Morris inside to discuss the problem with him, Mr. Morris comes up “menacingly to Dick.” He accuses him of being an alcoholic—“My son is here for alcoholism, and he told us he smelt liquor on your breath.”
When Mr. Morris shouts at Dick, accusing him of negligence, it seems that Dick’s alcoholism, recklessness, and selfishness have finally caught up with him. He is unable to charm his way out of this situation, and Mr. Morris causes an embarrassing scene in full view.
Themes
Dick meets Franz on the path as soon as he arrives back at the clinic, explaining what had happened with the Morris family that morning. Dick suggests that they dismiss Dr. Lladislau, claiming that it was his fault that the situation had gotten out of hand. After a brief discussion about Dick’s drinking habits, however, it becomes apparent that Franz is all too ready to break their professional partnership. Franz assures Dick that he’ll be able to return Nicole’s financial backing by the end of the year. Dick is surprised but relieved, since he has “long felt the ethics of his profession dissolving into a lifeless mass.”
Instead of taking responsibility, Dick tries to blame the misfortune on his colleague, Dr Lladislau, when explaining the situation to Franz. His behavior here is unscrupulous and deceptive, especially because he seeks to manipulate his close friend and business partner, Franz. Although Dick is obviously ashamed to have been dismissed from the clinic, he rationalizes the situation, convincing himself it’s what he’s wanted all along.
Themes
