Tender Is the Night: Book 2, Chapter 4 Summary & Analysis

Franz continues his story, recounting to Dick how Dohmler had agreed to take Nicole’s case if Mr. Warren kept away from his daughter “indefinitely.” Franz thanks Dick, explaining that Nicole’s letter writing helped her recovery, because she was able to think about somebody outside the clinic, and this gave her hope. He warns Dick, however, that he should be careful when he meets Nicole again: “You are attractive to women, Dick.”

Franz and Dick talk about their plans for the future and reminisce a little about their student experiences. Dick’s only ambition is “to be a good psychologist—maybe to be the greatest one that ever lived,” to which Franz remarks “That’s very good—and very American.”

Over dinner that evening with Franz and his wife,  Kaethe Gregorovious, Dick makes an effort to make Kaethe “feel charming,” despite finding her somewhat loathsome. Accustomed to post-war “American splendor,” Dick feels “oppressed” by the lack of “grace and adventure” in Franz’s simple and domestic life. Dick is at an important juncture in his youth, faced with the task of deciding what he does and doesn’t believe in. Whereas he used to idealize becoming “good,” “kind,” “brave,” and wise,” he has found this to be “pretty difficult.” He thinks that he “want[s] to be loved, too, if he could fit it in.”