In the second section of This Side of Paradise, F. Scott Fitzgerlad discusses Amory Blaine's years at Princeton University and his growing interest in partying and exploring poetry and literature. It also documents a change in Amory's attitudes and ideals.
Character: Amory entered Princeton from St. Regis with a plan to become a popular and respected person on the campus. He got involved with some organizations including the Princetonian, the universities newspaper. Through developments in the plot, Amory discoveries that it is not necessary to be the top of the class and participate on Senior Counsil or be the Princetonian Chairman. He had failed one class and realized that there was nothing to do about it, so his attitudes change and the plot begins to discuss the trips and parties Amory and his friends visited.
Plot: After Amory had failed one of his classes, he began to focus on the enjoyable parts of life. He and his friends attended lavish parties. At college, he did not focus on his curricula, but rather studied literature and poetry independently with his friend Tom. During his senior year, Burne Holiday began a "revolution" that led many Juniors and Seniors to resign from their clubs. After Amory and Burne talk, they strike up a friendship that changes Amory. He becomes more eccentric and brings various guests to dinner parties.
Theme: After Amory had failed one his exam and was kicked out of the newspaper, sucess was something he would not be able to attain at Princeton. He met with Monsignor Darcy to discuss his father's death and Amory's life at Princeton. He had concluded that Amory's life had given him a second chance to change. Taking this knowledge, Amory fails the exam, removes his successes, and begins to look at himself as the "fundamental Amory." Amory learns that he does not have to be the top of society and become part of the Princeton society, rather enjoy personal pursuits that make you happy. This change in thinking is why Amory begins to disregard his academics and divulge himself into literature and parties.
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