Violet McKisco Character Analysis in Tender Is the Night

Mr. McKisco’s wife and a tactless gossip. She envies Dick and Nicole Diver and their fashionable circle, but often says unkind things about them. Upon meeting Violet, Rosemary is immediately irritated by her and her lack of social decorum, and is glad to be able to escape Violet and her friends, Mrs. Abrams, Luis Campion, and Mr. Humphry.

Violet McKisco Character Timeline in Tender Is the Night

The timeline below shows where the character Violet McKisco appears in Tender Is the Night. The colored dots and icons indicate which themes are associated with that appearance.

Excess, Destruction, and the Failed American Dream Theme Icon

...meet her. Rosemary reluctantly moves towards the “untanned people,” who Campion introduces as Mrs. Abrams, Mrs. McKisco , Mr. McKisco, and Mr. Dumphry. One of the women announces that she needn’t be... (full context)

...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... (full context)

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... (full context)

Rosemary’s new friends share disparaging remarks about Violet and Mr. McKisco and their party, whom they consider to be distasteful. Rosemary decides that... (full context)

...to feel that Villa Diana is “the center of the world.” She is shocked when Violet and Mr. McKisco, Mrs. Abrams, Mr. Dumphry, and Mr. Campion arrive, believing them to be... (full context)

Gender, Mental Illness, and Psychiatry Theme Icon

Rosemary notices that Nicole and Dick have disappeared. In that moment, Violet McKisco accosts Rosemary to accompany her to the bathroom. Rosemary refuses, busy longing for Dick... (full context)

The Pursuit of Youth and Innocence Theme Icon

...will get home in two separate cars—“There would be Tommy Barban […] with Mrs. Abrams, Violet McKisco, Mr. McKisco and Campion” in one car, and Early Brady, Rosemary, Mrs. Speers, and... (full context)

Campion tells his “extraordinary story” about how Violet and Tommy had had an argument in the car about whatever it was that Violet... (full context)

...is very loyal to Dick and Nicole—tells his version of events to Rosemary, recounting how Violet, McKisco, and Tommy had argued in the car and arranged the resulting duel. Tommy “is... (full context)

...McKisco is keen to continue with the dreadful affair in order to impress his wife, Violet. (full context)

Rosemary is completely shaken, realizing what Violet McKisco must have seen in Dick and Nicole’s villa on the Riviera. Rosemary is glad,... (full context)

...self-respect.” Indeed, Dick finds McKisco far less irritating than before, and even enjoys his company. Violet is changed too: happier, well dressed, and more charming than before. (full context)