The Great Books Podcast: Episode 367 – 'Tender Is the Night' by F. Scott Fitzgerald
Release Date: April 8, 2025
Hosts:
- John J. Miller – Host from National Review
- Titus Teixeira – Guest, Executive Director of the American Cinema Foundation
1. Introduction
The episode opens with John J. Miller welcoming Titus Teixeira to discuss F. Scott Fitzgerald's novel, Tender Is the Night. Titus expresses his enthusiasm for lecturing at Hillsdale College and his appreciation for engaging in conversations about significant literary works.
[00:07] John J. Miller: “Hello and welcome to the Great Books Podcast... Today we'll talk about Tender is the Night by F. Scott Fitzgerald.”
[00:32] Titus Teixeira: “Thanks so much for having me here, John... one of my favorite 20th century novels.”
2. The Novel's Significance
John probes why Tender Is the Night stands out as a great book, prompting Titus to argue that it surpasses The Great Gatsby in artistic merit and its profound reflection on post-World War America.
[00:45] John J. Miller: “Why is Tender is the Night by F. Scott Fitzgerald a great book?”
[00:52] Titus Teixeira: “It's his best novel... a reflection on modern America, on America after the World War... themes of democracy, morality, and beauty.”
3. Setting: The French Riviera
The conversation delves into the novel’s setting—the glamorous French Riviera—and its significance in portraying American opulence and freedom from Victorian moral constraints.
[03:07] John J. Miller: “What is the French Riviera, and why is this American novel set there?”
[03:26] Titus Teixeira: “...the French Riviera is free. Mediterranean. Luxuries of Mediterranean society... free of the convention. It's beautiful, it's glamorous... like California, but also free.”
4. Historical Context
Set post-World War I, the novel captures a society reshuffling its values, with American wealth playing a pivotal role in sustaining European glamour.
[04:27] John J. Miller: “What's going on in the world right now? Tender Is the Night was published in 1934. What's happening in Europe, in the world, when this novel is set?”
[04:36] Titus Teixeira: “Set right after World War I... Americans are now in charge. Only American money can keep European glamour going... transforms America from an industrial to a society valuing taste and sophistication.”
5. Character Analysis: Rosemary, Dick, and Nicole Diver
The trio's dynamics are explored, highlighting Rosemary Hoyt’s innocence and ambition, Dick Diver’s intellectual pursuits and social climbing, and Nicole Diver’s fragility and influence.
Rosemary Hoyt
An emerging American actress symbolizing innocence and the allure of Hollywood glamour.
[02:05] Titus Teixeira: “Rosemary Hoyt... an ingenue. She's very American, but also strangely innocent... just made her first picture, Daddy's Girl... going to have a great career.”
Dick Diver
A complex character striving for intellectual distinction through psychiatry while grappling with personal and societal expectations.
[06:30] Titus Teixeira: “Dick is something of a mystery... a man interested in psychiatry... a social climber... looks to become king in the glamour of the Riviera.”
Nicole Diver
An heiress battling mental illness, whose relationship with Dick forms the novel’s emotional core.
[08:40] Titus Teixeira: “Nicole is the heiress of a Chicago fortune... grows mad and ends up in a Swiss psychiatric hospital... falls in love with Dick.”
6. Themes Explored
Key themes include the intersection of wealth and morality, the role of women in modern society, psychological depth influenced by Freud’s theories, and the decline of the protagonist amidst personal turmoil.
[10:06] Titus Teixeira: “Freud's work... are not clearly science or something more literary... what is happening to people? Is it biological or spiritual?”
[17:55] Titus Teixeira: “Reference to John Keats... surrender pain... passivity of the modern man... romanticism of the modern protagonist.”
7. Autobiographical Elements
The episode touches upon the parallels between Fitzgerald’s life and the novel, particularly the tumultuous relationship between Dick and Nicole Diver mirroring Fitzgerald’s own marriage.
[16:55] Titus Teixeira: “More than any others of his writings, you get here a dramatization of the agony of his life... his own gifts ended up torturing him.”
8. The Title Explained
The title Tender is the Night is linked to John Keats' poetry, encapsulating the novel’s exploration of pleasure, passivity, and the human experience.
[17:38] John J. Miller: “The title means?”
[17:55] Titus Teixeira: “It's a line from John Keats' ode... experience of pleasure can make you surrender to passivity... romanticism of the modern protagonist.”
9. Critical Reception Over Time
Initially met with mixed reviews for its unconventional protagonist and complex themes, the novel’s reputation has grown, with contemporary critics appreciating its literary depth.
[22:25] Titus Teixeira: “At the time, people were dissatisfied with the plot... after mid-century, they re-examined him... turned again to Tender Is the Night to find the beauty.”
10. Comparison to 'The Great Gatsby'
Titus argues that while The Great Gatsby captures American idealism and innocence, Tender Is the Night offers a more profound exploration of American destiny and societal transformations.
[24:20] Titus Teixeira: “Gatsby speaks to boyish idealism and moralism... Tender Is the Night reveals an American destiny... democracy’s agents and future pursuits.”
11. Movie Adaptation
The 1962 film adaptation starring Jason Robards is discussed as a glamorous reflection of the original setting, though Titus suggests that films bring a different emotional power compared to novels.
[26:30] Titus Teixeira: “It's pretty fun to watch... a loving look back at the glamour of the 20s, 30s, and Hollywood of that time.”
12. Books vs. Movies as Art Forms
A deep dive into the unique strengths of novels and cinema, highlighting how books offer interiority and breadth, while movies provide emotional immediacy and visual storytelling.
[27:00] Titus Teixeira: “The novel is useful for interiority and the grand sweep of things... Cinema is the art form of democracy... emotional power of the images.”
13. The American Cinema Foundation
Titus elaborates on his role with the American Cinema Foundation, focusing on promoting conservative voices in Hollywood and supporting scriptwriters aligned with their mission.
[30:37] Titus Teixeira: “Founded in the early 90s by Republicans in Hollywood... organizing competitions for scriptwriters to tell American stories.”
14. Conclusion: Why Read 'Tender Is the Night' Now
Emphasizing the novel’s relevance to contemporary gender dynamics and political discourse, Titus advocates for reading Tender Is the Night to understand the evolving roles and conflicts between men and women.
[34:18] Titus Teixeira: “The novel dramatizes the modern conflict of the sexes... speaks to the new situation where men feel passive.”
Notable Quotes
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Titus Teixeira [00:52]: “... reflection on modern America, on America after the World War... democracy, morality, and beauty.”
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John J. Miller [12:47]: “... Dick Diver has what's, to me, a really interesting line... 'new friends can often have a better time together than old friends.'”
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Titus Teixeira [13:08]: “Dick is in this odd position... he understands that women are, in a way, more interesting than men.”
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Titus Teixeira [17:55]: “... surrender pain... almost dead... passivity of the modern man... romanticism of the modern protagonist.”
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Titus Teixeira [34:18]: “The novel dramatizes exactly that and speaks to this new situation where men feel like they are in the passive position.”
Final Thoughts
In this episode, John J. Miller and Titus Teixeira offer a comprehensive exploration of F. Scott Fitzgerald's Tender Is the Night, delving into its rich character dynamics, historical context, and enduring themes. Titus passionately argues for the novel's superiority over The Great Gatsby, emphasizing its deeper insights into American society and the complexities of human relationships. Additionally, the discussion bridges literature and cinema, highlighting the distinct yet complementary strengths of each medium in storytelling.
For listeners seeking to deepen their understanding of American literature and its intersection with societal shifts, Tender Is the Night emerges as a compelling and timely read.
This summary encapsulates the key discussions and insights from Episode 367 of The Great Books Podcast. For a more immersive experience, listeners are encouraged to tune into the full episode.