This Side of Paradise by F. Scott Fitzgerald

“Most people are other people,” said Oscar Wilde. “Their thoughts are someone else's opinions, their lives a mimicry, their passions a quotation.” In This Side of Paradise, F. Scott Fitzgerald demonstrates the crisis of self-identification Amory Blaine faces up until his early twenties. Blaine’s struggle for self-identification parallels the challenges post-World War I American youth had to face, such as identifying the “right” group of people, establishing their own moral standards, and finding the perfect mate.

The novel primarily takes place during World War I, in which the United States remains neutral for much of the war. This American position ultimately leads to increasing anti-German sentiment in the United States. However, America’s neutrality does not endure; the U.S eventually partakes in the war and is forced to issue a draft (“This Side” 220). The effects of this draft can be witnessed in the novel when Amory and his colleagues depart to fight in the shattering war.

Amory’s generation, which consists mainly of young World War I veterans, is commonly referred to as the “new generation” because of its rejection of tradition. This generation views sexual relations as a source of recreation, rather than a romantic bond between two humans. For instance, Amory explicitly states he finds it fascinating that he can have sexual relations before twelve with any popular girl he meets before eight (Fitzgerald 80). These spontaneous and frivolous relationships are key characteristics of this generation. Furthermore, Amory also states he is against the establishment of marriage, “but marry, not a chance,” he states (Fitzgerald 108). Once again, this reveals how this “new generation” tends to deviate from pre-established tradition...

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