Fitzgerald chose this title because Amory was always in search of someone he could relate to and love. For a while, he found his 'paradise" Unfortunately, everything falls apart, not only does he lose his love, but he loses his family, friends, and it seems his sanity.
THEME:.
"There was no God in his heart, he knew; his ideas were still in riot; there was ever the pain of memory; the regret for his lost youth-yet the waters of disillusion had left a deposit on his soul, responsibility and a love of life, the faint stirring of old ambitions and unrealized dreams. But-oh, Rosalind! Rosalind!." Conforming to society sums up the theme quite well. Amory attempts to change his personality, and improve his life. He represented people who strived to be happy and carefree. Unfortunately, when resources are no longer available, everything begins to fall apart. Without money, the materialistic are empty in side. After Amory loses his financial backing, everything goes down hill.
EMPATHY:.
The author makes Amory Blaine quite believable. In the beginning of the book, Amory is very close to his mother, however as the story gains momentum, and Amory elects to go to boarding school, he becomes me independent, while becoming confused, without a sense of direction. In the second half of the book, everything falls apart. Amory loses his love and his closest relationships. He eventually begins to live an emotionless life.
STYLE:.
Fitzgerald writing style is highly polished and often richly poetic. His talent is setting a mood. Light on the dialog, his descriptions are lush and create an exact image of what he tries to describe. Not only does he describe shape and emotion, but color and sound, only improving the quality of his work. "Under the glass portcullis of a theatre Amory stood, watching the first great drops of rain splatter down and flatten to dark stains on the sidewalk. The air became gray and opalescent; a solitary light suddenly outlined a window over the way; then another light; then a hundred more danced and glimmered into vision.
