Amory's got pride. And when we say pride, we mean that the kid has been bred by his mother to be a complete egomaniac. At one point in the book, Amory eve suffers from a lack of energy because he spends all his strength trying to hide how superior he feels to other people.
Over the course of This Side of Paradise, Amory learns to recognize his pride and to struggle with it. But he never quite reaches a state of modesty. It's just too difficult for him to stop thinking he's special, that he's deeper and more complex than all the fools around him. Good luck having a fulfilling life and thinking like that, pal.
Questions About Pride
- Do you think Beatrice Blaine is solely responsible for Amory's ego, or does Amory need to share some of the blame?
- What is the best way for Amory to become more modest? Do you think he has a real chance at overcoming his pride?
- Do you think Amory's pride is the main cause of his misfortunes in this book? Why or why not?
- Would Amory have a better chance of appreciating the world around him if he were less proud? Why or why not?
Chew on This
In This Side of Paradise, F. Scott Fitzgerald reminds us that there is nothing that will stand in the way of fulfillment more than pride.
This Side of Paradise shows us that no matter how much the world tries to beat us down into mediocrity, we should always stay proud and exceptional.