# Dalyrimple Goes Wrong explained — Short Fiction

> Chapter companion for Short Fiction by F. Scott Fitzgerald.

## What happens

Bryan Dalyrimple returns from war to a small town, disillusioned by the lack of opportunities and the hypocrisy of society. He struggles with his ideals and eventually turns to theft, rationalizing his actions as a necessary means to achieve success in a corrupt world.

## Themes in this chapter

### Ambition and Disillusionment

Dalyrimple's ambition clashes with the limited opportunities of his hometown, leading to a cynical worldview.

### Rebellion and Nonconformity

Dalyrimple rejects societal norms and moral codes, choosing a path of crime as a form of rebellion.

## Character check-ins

### Bryan Dalyrimple

The protagonist, a war veteran grappling with disillusionment and moral compromise.

## Key lines

> He had been a hero, they told him, but he didn't feel like a hero.

Despite being celebrated as a hero upon his return, Dalyrimple feels disconnected from that label.

_Highlights the gap between public perception and personal reality._

> He wanted to be a success, and he wanted to be a success quickly.

Dalyrimple is driven by a desire for rapid achievement and material success.

_Sets up his eventual moral compromises._

## Links

- HTML: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/short_fiction_16_se/chapters/dalyrimple-goes-wrong
- Book: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/short_fiction_16_se
- All chapters: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/short_fiction_16_se/chapters