# The Camel's Back explained — Short Fiction

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

## What happens

Perry Parkhurst, after a quarrel with his fiancée Betty Medill, attends a costume party as a camel, only to discover Betty is there with another man. In a drunken haze, he ends up marrying her on a whim, leading to a chaotic and ironic resolution.

## Themes in this chapter

### Love and Romantic Illusion

The impulsive marriage between Perry and Betty highlights the superficial and whimsical nature of romantic commitments in the era.

### Wealth and Decadence

The extravagant costume party and the characters' reckless behavior exemplify the decadence of the upper class.

## Character check-ins

### Perry Parkhurst

The protagonist who, after a fight with Betty, attends a party dressed as a camel and impulsively marries her.

### Betty Medill

Perry's fiancée who attends the party with another man and ends up marrying Perry in a drunken ceremony.

## Key lines

> Perry Parkhurst was a young man of twenty-three, with a good income, a good digestion, and a good disposition.

Perry Parkhurst is a well-off, healthy, and easygoing young man.

_Introduces Perry's comfortable life and character._

> The camel was a huge, lumbering, ungainly beast, and Perry felt a fool.

Perry feels ridiculous in his cumbersome camel costume.

_Highlights Perry's embarrassment and the absurdity of the situation._

> I'm going to marry you, Betty Medill, if it's the last thing I ever do.

Perry declares his intention to marry Betty, despite their earlier quarrel.

_Shows Perry's impulsive determination._

## Links

- HTML: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/short_fiction_16_se/chapters/the-camel-s-back
- Book: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/short_fiction_16_se
- All chapters: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/short_fiction_16_se/chapters