This Side of Paradise Pride Quotes

How we cite our quotes: (Book.Chapter.Paragraph)

Quote #4

As in the story-books, she ran into them, and on that half-minute, as their lips first touched, rested the high point of vanity, the crest of his young egotism. (1.2.438)

There's nothing that strokes Amory's ego more than kissing a pretty girl. In fact, it all seems to go downhill from this moment. The only time we see Amory this happy again is when he's kissing another pretty girl—Rosalind Connage.

Quote #5

"Not a bit of it!" scoffed Monsignor. "You've lost a great amount of vanity and that's all." (1.3.161)

Amory feels like he's lost his innocence and vitality as he's gotten older. But his mentor Monsignor Darcy thinks that all he's lost is a whole lot of vanity and pride. Monsignor thinks this is a good thing. But it sometimes seems as though Amory is an engine that runs on pride, and that without pride, he has no motivation.

Quote #6

"Well—no, you have tremendous vanity, but it'll amuse the people who notice its preponderance." (1.4.226)

It doesn't take long for Clara to recognize Amory's giant pride. But rather than scold Amory for it, she says that his pride is kind of charming. There are too many people who pretend to be modest all the time, and it's refreshing to meet a guy like Amory who can't hide even when he tries.