Abstract: This study, by analyzing Fitzgerald’ Tender is the Night, aims to probe into the causes and process of the transformation of the protagonist Dick. It points out that both the war and the development of capitalist society exert a deep influence upon Dick’s destiny. His contact with Rosemary, Nicole, and Baby changes his temperament and his attitudes towards life to a certain degree, but when he finds that he can’t be accepted by the upper society, he begins to reconsider the life and save himself. Though he was once addicted to gay life and debauchery, he does not really lose himself. Struggling in the upper society, he undergoes a personal transformation. He begins to think rationally and finally chooses to return to America and live a frugal life. The paper concludes that Dick is not one of the lost generation, but a hero made of age, representing those who live in the turbulent times but will never be destroyed. 

Key words: Tender is the Night; transformation; hero; the turbulent times

CONTENTS

Abstract

摘要

1. Introduction1

 1.1 Francis Scott Key Fitzgerald and Tender Is Night

1.2 Literature Review

2. The Causes of the Transformation of Dick.3

2.1 The Effect of Social Environment

2.1.1 War

2.1.2 Capitalist Society 

2.2 The Effect of Others around Dick

  2.2.1 Nicole

  2.2.2 Rosemary

  2.2.3 Baby

3. The Transformation of Dick7

3.1 Romance to Ration

3.2 Self- abandonment to Self- salvation

4. Conclusion..10

Bibliography....12

Acknowledgements 13