Tender Is the Night: Book 1, Chapter 2 Summary & Analysis

Rosemary does not like the company she finds herself in and is uncomfortable with their jokes. She would rather be with the man in the jockey cap and his party, and longs for her mother—who has a “social gift”—that would help her get out of the situation. Rosemary has been a movie star and celebrity for only six months and is not yet confident with her social capabilities.

Mr. McKisco, “a scrawny, freckle-and-red man,” attempts to make conversation with Rosemary, but when his wife, Violet, cracks a joke he doesn’t like, Mr. McKisco snaps at her furiously before heading for the water. Rosemary seizes her opportunity to escape the loathsome group and follows him and Violet to the shallows. They swim towards the raft, where they meet Abe North briefly, before he dives into the water. Mr. and Mrs. McKisco resent Abe and agree, “he’s a rotten musician.”

Noticing the woman with the pearls once more, Rosemary asks after her. Violet explains that she’s called Mrs. Diver, but her and her family aren’t staying at the hotel. Leaving Violet and Mr. McKisco in another argument, Rosemary swims back to the beach, where she lies in the sun and watches the man with the jockey cap enjoying himself. She is sure that he is responsible for the lively excitement radiating from their group.

Waking up, Rosemary finds herself drenched in sweat and almost alone on the beach. The man in the jockey cap is gathering up the last of his items, and they share a brief exchange about avoiding sunburn. Dick Diver looks at her for a moment as he collects his beach umbrella, and she feels profoundly moved while gazing back into “the bright blue worlds of his eyes, eagerly and confidently.”