The novel revolves around Amory Blaine, a young man from Minnesota, and his journey to adulthood. The story is divided into three sections, each representing a different phase of Amory's life. In the first section, Amory grows up in a wealthy family, develops a sense of self-importance, and becomes infatuated with his cousin, Clara Page. He attends prep school and later enrolls at Princeton University, where he becomes disillusioned with the idea of romantic love. The second section focuses on Amory's experiences during World War I. He serves in the army, is injured, and eventually returns to the United States. During this time, he falls in love with a woman named Rosalind, but their relationship ends due to social class differences. In the final section, Amory becomes disillusioned with the idea of love and relationships. He has an affair with a married woman, Eleanor, which ultimately leads to his downfall. The novel concludes with Amory's realization that he has lost his sense of purpose and identity.
By F. Scott Fitzgerald · First published 1920 · Genre: Literary Fiction, Coming-of-Age, Modernist · 9 chapters