This Side of Paradise · Chapter
IV: The Supercilious Sacrifice explained
Amory Blaine, in a state of disillusionment and loneliness, visits Atlantic City where he encounters Alec Connage and a group of acquaintances.
What happens
Amory Blaine, in a state of disillusionment and loneliness, visits Atlantic City where he encounters Alec Connage and a group of acquaintances. The chapter recounts a past incident where Amory sacrificed himself to protect Alec from a scandal involving a girl named Jill, taking the blame and facing a hotel detective. Now, Amory reflects on his lost youth, his failed love for Rosalind, and the deaths of friends. He receives news of financial troubles and Monsignor Darcy's sudden death, deepening his sense of loss and despair.
Themes in this chapter
Disillusionment and Loss of Innocence
Amory feels his youth has vanished, replaced by listlessness and a longing for death; he mourns the loss of Rosalind and his former self.
Sacrifice and Self-Definition
Amory's supercilious sacrifice for Alec defines his character; he acts arrogantly and impersonally, asserting control in a crisis.
Love and Romantic Relationships
Amory's love for Rosalind is reduced to 'tireless passion, fierce jealousy, longing to possess and crush'; he concludes that to hold a man, a woman must appeal to the worst in him.
Characters to notice
- Amory Blaine
Protagonist; reflects on his disillusionment, sacrifices for Alec, and mourns lost love and youth.
- Alec Connage
Amory's friend; involved in the hotel scandal and later meets Amory in Atlantic City.
- Jill
The girl involved in the hotel incident with Amory and Alec; gives a false name to the detective.
- Rosalind Connage
Amory's lost love; he mourns her as 'young Rosalind is dead' and feels only bitterness remains.
- Monsignor Darcy
Amory's mentor; his sudden death is revealed at the chapter's end, deepening Amory's despair.
Key passages
“Sacrifice by its very nature was arrogant and impersonal; sacrifice should be eternally supercilious.”
True sacrifice is inherently proud and detached, always looking down on the situation.
Amory's internal reflection on the nature of his act.
“To hold a man a woman has to appeal to the worst in him.”
A woman can only keep a man's interest by exploiting his basest instincts.
Amory's cynical conclusion about love after losing Rosalind.
“His youth seemed never so vanished as now in the contrast between the utter loneliness of this visit and that riotous, joyful party of four years before.”
Amory feels his youth is completely gone, highlighted by the stark difference between his current solitude and the lively party from four years ago.
Amory's sense of loss and disillusionment in Atlantic City.