Any visitor to the French Riviera in the mid-1920s, the setting of F. Scott Fitzgerald’s Tender is the Night, would describe Dr. Richard Diver as a charming, respected, well-mannered physician. Dick is a noble man who has dedicated his life to the health and protection of his beloved wife without thought to himself. Furthermore, he gives wonderful parties and is a reliable source of help to any friend in need. In fact, "to be included in Dick Diver’s world for a while was a remarkable experience" (Fitzgerald, Tender, 27).
Under this façade of composure, however, lies a tormented personality. The stresses in Dick’s life are numerous, as he deals with Nicole’s breakdowns and other aspects of his career and social relationships. He has no one to help him through these difficulties but he still manages to rescue his friends in countless instances. He does his best to play his role as husband, father, friend, and physician, but he is clearly not comfortable with his responsibilities, and his confusion manifests itself through his obsession with youthfulness. Not only does Dr. Diver try to appear young and vital to the outside world, he also has an unhealthy obsession with much younger women in his life. This paternal attitude toward f
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Before meeting her face to face, the doctor has had a primarily clinical and partially paternal relationship with Nicole through the letters they exchanged, but as they spend more time together, "Dick [becomes] less and less certain of his relation to her" (135). Dick has seemingly given up on acting like a grown-up and all of its difficulties in favor of a more immature, morally ignorant lifestyle. He gets drunk more frequently and is involved in a violent fight with some taxi drivers, and later he inadvertently insults Mary North’s in-laws, showing he has lost some of his previously impeccable manners. One time in twenty it’s finished in the first push—better never see her again!" (140). Soon, however, they have fallen in love with each other despite the taboo of romance between a doctor and his patient, and Dick considers marrying Nicole. This new information about the history of the couple gives new insight into the situation with Rosemary. "’Daddy’s Girl’: Symbol and Theme in Tender is the Night. He is very concerned with each guest’s opinion of him, and is said to "[win] everyone quickly with an exquisite consideration and a politeness that [moves] so fast and intuitively that it could be examined only in its effect" (27-28). In retrospect, Dick may have done well to heed this advice and adhere to the rules of psychological practice and adult relationships. Diver, who slowly earns her trust with time and compassion. Just as the incestuous actions of Nicole’s father led to her illness and his private torment, Dick Diver’s distorted perceptions of appropriate relationships lead to his own fall into obscurity.
Approximate Word count =
1637
Approximate Pages =
7 (250 words per page double spaced)
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