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Tender Is the Night in 10 Minutes
Introduction
Dick Diver
Nicole Warren Diver
Rosemary Hoyt
Abe North
Tommy Barban
The Early Years
The Divers Marriage
The Arrival of Rosemary
Nicoles Past
Dicks Downfall
The Breakdown of the Divers Marriage
The Aftermath
The End of an Era
Reflections on Love and Loss
The Legacy of Tender Is the Night
Lesson Details & Resources
In a Nutshell
- What: A novel by F. Scott Fitzgerald
- When: Written in the 1930s
- Who: Dick Diver, Nicole Diver, Rosemary Hoyt
- Theme: The decline of American expatriates in Europe
List of Characters in Tender Is the Night
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Dick Diver
Dick Diver is a charismatic and talented psychiatrist who becomes entangled in a destructive relationship with Nicole Diver.
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Nicole Diver
Nicole Diver is a beautiful and troubled woman who struggles with mental illness and the effects of her traumatic past.
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Tommy Barban
Tommy Barban is a wealthy and enigmatic man who becomes involved in the lives of the Divers and Rosemary Hoyt.
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Rosemary Hoyt
Rosemary Hoyt is a young actress who becomes infatuated with Dick Diver during a trip to the French Riviera.
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Abe North
Abe North is a close friend of Dick Diver who becomes consumed by jealousy and resentment towards the Divers.
Timeline of Tender Is the Night
Rosemary Hoyt meets Dick Diver, a psychiatrist, and his wife Nicole at a party in Paris.
The Divers invite Rosemary to join them on their vacation in the French Riviera.
Upon arriving in the Riviera, Rosemary is introduced to the Divers' circle of friends, including Tommy Barban, Abe North, and the McKiscos.
As Rosemary becomes infatuated with Dick, she witnesses tensions and conflicts within the Divers' marriage.
Nicole confides in Rosemary about her troubled past and her struggles with mental illness.
Rosemary witnesses an argument between Dick and Nicole, revealing deeper cracks in their relationship.
Dick's former patient, Franz Gregorovius, arrives in the Riviera and disrupts the Divers' lives.
Rosemary witnesses Dick's growing obsession with Franz and his neglect of Nicole.
Dick and Nicole's marriage continues to deteriorate, with Dick becoming increasingly distant.
Rosemary becomes involved with Tommy Barban, while still harboring feelings for Dick.
Dick and Nicole's marriage reaches a breaking point, leading to an emotional confrontation.
Rosemary realizes the destructive nature of her infatuation with Dick and decides to leave the Riviera.
Dick's mental health deteriorates, and he is committed to a psychiatric hospital.
Years later, Dick and Nicole meet again, with Dick having found some stability in his life.
The novel ends with a sense of uncertainty and the characters' unresolved emotional struggles.
Vocabulary List
- Dissipation
- The dissipation of Dick Diver's wealth and reputation is a central theme in Tender Is the Night.
- Estrangement
- The estrangement between Dick and Nicole Diver is a key element of their relationship in the novel.
- Decadence
- The decadent lifestyle of the American expatriates in the French Riviera is depicted in Tender Is the Night.
- Melancholy
- Dick's melancholy and inner turmoil are explored throughout the novel.
- Facade
- The facade of perfection that the Divers present to the world is gradually peeled away as the novel progresses.
Key Facts
This is the information used in the fact matching game
- - Published in 1934
- - The novel is set in the 1920s
- - It follows the story of Dick and Nicole Diver
- - Dick Diver is a successful psychiatrist
- - Nicole is a wealthy and beautiful socialite
- - The story takes place in Europe, primarily in France and Switzerland
- - The Divers' marriage starts to crumble due to their personal and emotional struggles
- - The novel explores themes of love, betrayal, and the corrupting influence of wealth
- - It is partly based on Fitzgerald's own experiences and his relationship with his wife, Zelda
- - The novel delves into the complexities of the human psyche and the consequences of unfulfilled desires
- - Dick becomes infatuated with a young actress named Rosemary Hoyt
- - The characters in the story are part of the expatriate community in Europe
- - The novel examines the destructive nature of ambition and the pursuit of perfection
- - It is known for its lyrical prose and vivid descriptions of the glamorous and decadent lifestyle of the Jazz Age
- - Fitzgerald considered Tender Is the Night his most accomplished work
- - The novel received mixed reviews upon its initial publication
- - It was overshadowed by the success of Fitzgerald's earlier novel, The Great Gatsby
- - In later years, Tender Is the Night gained recognition as a classic of American literature
- - The story reflects the disillusionment and loss of innocence that characterized the post-World War I era
- - Fitzgerald's own struggles with alcoholism and marital problems influenced the themes and characters in the novel.
Analysis & Significance
Impact on Literature
‘Tender Is the Night’ by F. Scott Fitzgerald is a seminal work in American literature, known for its complex narrative structure and exploration of the human psyche. Its innovative storytelling techniques have influenced generations of writers, paving the way for modernist and postmodernist literature. The novel’s rich character development and intricate plot have set a high standard for literary fiction.
Enduring Themes
The themes of love, loss, and the decline of the American Dream in ‘Tender Is the Night’ continue to resonate with modern audiences. Fitzgerald’s exploration of the complexities of relationships, social class, and mental health remains relevant today, making the novel a timeless classic that continues to captivate readers around the world.
Cultural Significance Today
‘Tender Is the Night’ has left a lasting legacy in popular culture, with numerous adaptations for film, television, and theater. The novel’s themes and characters have been reimagined and reinterpreted in various forms, keeping Fitzgerald’s work alive in the public consciousness. Its exploration of the darker side of glamour and wealth still resonates in today’s society, making it a culturally significant work that continues to be studied and celebrated.
Tender Is the Night Games
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