Discussion
Although Nicole presents some symptoms of schizophrenia, she does not receive enough agency in the book to know her true feelings unhinged by the males in her life. Her father is the only source for her actions in childhood, and her other episodes are described through Dick, Rosemary, or their friends. I would disagree that the diagnosis of schizophrenia would not be correct, instead schizotypal personality disorder would be a more accurate diagnosis for Nicole.
Nicole’s father, Mr. Warren, gives the accounts of her episodes as a child. Mr. Warren explains how Nicole claimed a valet was making advances at her, and forced her father’s hand to fire him, even though there was no evidence that he had ever made an advance towards her (Fitzgerald, 1935, 127). Her sister also claims to have kept a detailed account of her fits, which were many and all directed towards men during her adolescence. Dick Diver describes Nicole to Rosemary as, “She’s not very strong – she looks strong but she isn’t. And this makes a rather mess (Fitzgerald, 1935, 76).” Although these accounts of her symptoms are only retold through the people surrounding her, there are also a few chances for the reader to experience
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In stressful situation, Nicole went into a mental breakdown while rambling on about irrelevant topics without any train of thought. Also, when Mr. Warren was on his death bed, Dick refrained from telling her because he feared she would not have the mental capacity to cope with his