College Culture

Fitzgerald conveys a sense of verisimilitude through Amory's superficial characterization of various social classes of students in college. In a previous lecture, a student mentioned the contemporary presence of those social classes in colleges. There are many students that fit the common stereotypes of nerds, eccentrics, jocks, etc. Nonetheless, within those divisions, each person faces their own and much more complex issues. In Amory's case, his superficial persona derived from his childhood when his mother engraved a sense of self into Amory. The result of this persona was a tactless and obnoxious kid. Furthermore, there was no internal conflict in Amory because he was incognito of his lack of his emotional characteristics.

In contemporary times, there are people that face the same kinds of disadvantages as Amory due to a similarity in childhood. Although it may not be as evidently clear as it is in Amory, people today are still trying to find themselves. There are many students that do not know their goals in life, their purpose, and their strengths and weaknesses. It is very difficult for someone to psychoanalyze themselves. There are many people that struggle with their insecurities. Yes the novel was very popular during the post-world war era. Many young males and females were able to relate to Amory since they were literally thrown into war before they could even experience enough of the world to learn more about themselves. However, the same lack of identity is present amongst teens and young adults.

It seems that Amory will never reach the expected climax of the novel when he realizes his ingenuity and reshapes himself. In reality, there are cases when people never find themselves. The readers are put in the same shoes as Amory when we feel so distant from the protagonist, we start to judge and complain just like Amory. It may seem simple to adapt to the social environment, but difference in wealth and power catalyzes the distinctions of culture.