Distorted Perceptions in F. Scott Fitzgerald's Tender is the Night Any visitor to the French Riviera in the mid-1920s, the setting of F. Scott's Tender is the Night Fitzgerald, would describe Dr. Richard Diver as a charming, respected and well-mannered doctor. Dick is a noble man who dedicated his life to the health and protection of his beloved wife without thinking of himself. Furthermore, he throws wonderful parties and is a reliable source of help for any friend in need. Indeed, “being included in Dick Diver's world for a while was an extraordinary experience” (Fitzgerald, Tender, 27). Under this facade of composure, however, lies a tormented personality. The stresses in Dick's life are numerous, as he deals with Nicole's meltdowns and other aspects of his career and social relationships. He has no one to help him overcome these difficulties, but he still manages to save his friends in countless cases. He tries his best to fulfill his roles as husband, father, friend and doctor, but he is clearly not comfortable with his responsibilities and his confusion manifests itself through his obsession with youth. Not only does Dr. Diver try to appear young and vital to the outside world, but he also has an unhealthy obsession with the much younger women in his life. This paternal attitude towards women, mixed with sensual desire, is a sign of Dick's hidden instability that slowly becomes more visible. Several events point to Dick's desire to appear younger and his immature attitude towards life. He has a strong need for social approval and seeks to secure his social position by being a gracious and charming host to myriad friends and acquaintances. He is very concerned with each guest's opinion of him, and I... half of the paper... subsequent experiences. A major component of Dick Diver's disintegration, then, is his confusion and immaturity regarding relationships. with younger women, as well as his need to look young. His reputation and well-liked personality are achieved despite his childish attitudes, but as he slowly loses the ability to hide his true personality, he is abandoned by everyone. Just as Nicole's father's incestuous actions led to Nicole's illness and private torment, Dick Diver's distorted perception of appropriate relationships leads to his descent into darkness. Works Cited Fitzgerald, F. Scott. Tender is the night. New York, New York: Simon & Schuster, Inc., 1982. Stanton, Robert. "'Daddy's Girl': Symbol and Theme in Tender Is the Night." Critical essays on Tender is the night. Ed. Milton R. Stern. Boston, Massachusetts: GK Hall & Co., 1986. 118-124.