This Side of Paradise Summary

The narrative follows the trajectory of Amory Blaine, born of Beatrice, a woman of wealth and sophistication. Amory spends his formative years traversing the country with his mother before attending an esteemed preparatory academy in New England. His good looks and intellect gain him entrance into Princeton, though his academic endeavors are marked by laziness. As he battles the fear of failure, he eventually surrenders to apathy, preferring self-education through reading and conversations with peers over traditional classroom learning.

As his time at Princeton draws to a close, war breaks out and Amory is compelled to enlist, leaving his academic pursuits behind. Tragically, he loses his mother while serving overseas. Upon his return, he falls for Rosalind Connage, a debutante and sister to his college friend, Alec. Their love story is cut short when Rosalind refuses to marry into financial instability, as a result of Amory's ill-fated family investments. Despite his best efforts to secure a stable income, Rosalind deserts him for a richer suitor. Heartbroken, Amory numbs his pain with alcohol until the onset of Prohibition.

Amory's journey towards self-discovery gains momentum following a fleeting summer love affair with Eleanor, a spirited woman. A scandal ensues when Alec is found with a girl in his hotel room, for which Amory assumes responsibility. Then, he is dealt another blow with the death of Monsignor Darcy, a close family friend and paternal figure in his life. With his family fortune nearly depleted, Amory decides to trudge back to Princeton. En route, he is offered a ride by a wealthy man who lost his son in the war. Amory espouses his newfound socialist views before continuing his journey on foot. Arriving at Princeton late in the night, he yearns for Rosalind once more. Looking up at the stars, he asserts his self-awareness, stating "I know myself, but that is all--".