suggestion. Dick and Nicole's marriage disintegrates as he pines for Rosemary who has become a successful Hollywood star. Nicole distances herself from Dick as his self-confidence and friendliness turn into sarcasm and rudeness towards everyone. His constant unhappiness over what he could have been fuels his alcoholism, and Dick becomes embarrassing in social and familial situations. A lonely Nicole enters into an affair with Tommy Barban. She later divorces Dick and marries her lover. Major characters Richard "Dick" Divera promising young psychiatrist and Yale alumnus who marries his patient Nicole Diver and becomes an alcoholic. Nicole Diver (née Warren)an affluent mental patient who was the victim of incest and who marries Dick Diver. Based on Zelda Fitzgerald. Rosemary Hoytan eighteen-year-old Hollywood actress who falls in love with Dick Diver. Based on teenage starlet Lois Moran. Tommy Barbana Franco-American soldier-of-fortune with whom Nicole Diver has an affair. Based on French aviator Edouard Jozan, and on Italian-American pianist composer Mario Braggiotti. Franz Gregoroviousa Swiss psychopathologist at Dohmler's clinic who introduces a young Dick Diver to Nicole Warren, his patient. Beth "Baby" Warrenan unmarried spinster who is Nicole's older sibling and who disapproves of her marriage to Dick Diver. Abe Northan alcoholic composer who is later murdered in a New York speakeasy. Based on Ring Lardner and Charles MacArthur. Mary Norththe spirited wife of Abe North who divorces him, remarries, and becomes the wealthy Countess of Minghetti. Albert McKiscoan American novelist who wins a duel against Tommy Barban. Based on novelist Robert McAlmon. Violet McKiscothe gossipy spouse of Albert McKisco who discovers Nicole's insanity and attempts to malign her reputation. Jules Petersona black man from Scandinavia who helps Abe North and is later found dead in Rosemary Hoyt's hotel suite. Background and composition Sojourn in Europe While abroad in Europe, F. Scott Fitzgerald began writing his fourth novel almost three weeks after the publication of The Great Gatsby in April 1925. He planned to tell the story of Francis Melarkey, a young Hollywood technician visiting the French Riviera with his domineering mother. Francis falls in with a circle of charming American expatriates, emotionally disintegrates, and kills his mother. Fitzgerald's tentative titles for the novel were "World's Fair," "Our Type" and "The Boy Who Killed His Mother." The characters of the charming American expatriates were based on Fitzgerald's acquaintances Gerald and Sara Murphy and were named Seth and Dinah Piper. Francis was intended to