Published: April 1920 by Charles Scribner's Sons, New York
Structure: Two books
Book One: The Romantic Egotist
Book Two: The Education of a Personage
Book One: The Romantic Egotist
Chapter I: Amory, Son of Beatrice
Amory Blaine: Main character, inherits traits from mother, Beatrice, a cultured and wealthy woman.
Beatrice Elaine: Amory's mother, noted for her beauty, education, and sophisticated upbringing.
Stephen Blaine: Amory's father, wealthy but ineffectual.
Amory's education and upbringing are unconventional, involving much travel and exclusive schools.
Themes and Character Development
Identity and Ego: Amory's early life is defined by his mother's influence and his own egotism.
Education: Traditional schooling is presented as secondary to life experiences.
Class and Society: Beatrice's disdain for American societal norms is explored.
Book Two: The Education of a Personage
Chapter I: The Debutante
Rosalind Connage: Represents Amory's idealized love interest.
Their romance is intense but ultimately doomed due to societal pressures and personal differences.
Themes and Character Development
Love and Disillusionment: Amory's romantic pursuits are marked by passion but also by inevitable disillusionment.
Societal Expectations: The narrative explores the pressures of societal expectations on personal relationships.
Key Events
Amory's Development: From youthful egotism to a more reflective, mature understanding of his place in society.
Romantic Encounters: Including significant relationships with Isabelle and Rosalind, which shape his character.
Philosophical Explorations: Amory's philosophical musings on life, love, and his place in the world.
Literary Style and Influence
Fitzgerald's Technique: Use of lyrical prose, character introspection, and a focus on the inner life of Amory Blaine.
Cultural Reflections: The novel reflects the post-World War I disillusionment and the search for identity.
Conclusion
Final Thoughts: The novel ends with Amory reflecting on his experiences, illustrating a shift from romantic dreams to a more sober understanding of reality.
Legacy: "This Side of Paradise" is an exploration of youthful ambition and the complexities of personal growth.