# III: No Matter! explained — The Beautiful and Damned

> Chapter companion for The Beautiful and Damned by F. Scott Fitzgerald.

## What happens

Anthony Patch, aboard a ship, reflects on his past hardships and feels vindicated in his life choices. The chapter depicts his deepening alcoholism, the strain on his marriage to Gloria, and their social isolation. A visit from Muriel Kane sparks discussions on aristocracy, work, and the couple's deteriorating circumstances, culminating in a bitter argument between Anthony and Gloria over his drinking.

## Themes in this chapter

### Marriage and Disillusionment

Anthony and Gloria's marriage deteriorates under the strain of alcoholism, financial anxiety, and mutual resentment.

### Social Class and Aristocracy

Discussion of aristocracy as a favorable environment for fine traits; the couple's sense of social exclusion and pride.

### Irony and Self-Deception

Anthony deludes himself about his past struggles and justifies his drinking; Gloria's own unspoken desires remain hidden.

## Character check-ins

### Anthony Patch

Reflects on his past struggles and feels triumphant; descends into heavy drinking and nervousness; argues with Gloria about money and drinking.

### Gloria Gilbert

Feels repulsed by Anthony's decay; takes on household chores; argues with Anthony about his drinking and their social standing.

### Richard Caramel

Mentioned as a successful writer; Anthony feels contempt for him but envies his success.

### Muriel Kane

Visits the couple; discusses aristocracy, work, and social perceptions; tries to mediate between Anthony and Gloria.

### Maury Noble

Mentioned as having stopped drinking, making money, and planning to marry; Anthony laments their drifting apart.

## Key lines

> I showed them. It was a hard fight, but I didn’t give up and I came through!

Anthony feels he has proven his critics wrong by enduring hardships without giving in.

_Reflects Anthony's self-justification and sense of victory despite his deteriorating life._

> Aristocracy’s only an admission that certain traits which we call fine—courage and honor and beauty and all that sort of thing—can best be developed in a favorable environment, where you don’t have the warpings of ignorance and necessity.

Anthony argues that aristocracy provides the ideal conditions for developing admirable human qualities.

_Highlights the theme of social class and Anthony's belief in inherent privilege._

> All the qualities that they don’t use in their daily lives get cobwebbed up.

Gloria observes that people's unused talents and traits become neglected over time.

_Reflects on the loss of potential and the changes in relationships as people age._

## Links

- HTML: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/the_beautiful_and_damned_se/chapters/iii-no-matter
- Book: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/the_beautiful_and_damned_se
- All chapters: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/the_beautiful_and_damned_se/chapters