# Perry Parkhurst — Short Fiction character guide

> Perry Parkhurst in Short Fiction by F. Scott Fitzgerald.

**Role:** major

**Also known as:** Mr. Perry Parkhurst, Perry, One Lump Perry, Mr. Parkhurst, Mistah Perry Pa'khurst

**First appearance:** 0029-the-camel-s-back

## Snapshot

A young man whose romantic and social predicaments force him to navigate the treacherous waters of ambition, love, and self-invention in Fitzgerald's Jazz Age.

## Who they are

Perry Parkhurst moves through a world of political machines and social expectations, where a single misstep can unravel carefully constructed futures. His story hinges on the tension between who he appears to be and who he actually is—a gap that love and ambition both exploit and expose. His choices in the early arc set the terms for a reckoning with the cost of wanting more than his station allows.

## Relationships

### [Betty Medill](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/short_fiction_16_se/characters/betty_medill)

_romantic_

Betty and Perry are a romantic couple whose relationship is tested by Perry's reckless behavior and a dangerous adventure.

### [Betty Medill](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/short_fiction_16_se/characters/betty_medill)

_romantic_

Betty and Perry are a romantic couple whose relationship is tested by Perry's reckless behavior and a dangerous adventure.

### [Betty Medill](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/short_fiction_16_se/characters/betty_medill)

_romantic_

Betty and Perry are a romantic couple whose relationship is tested by Perry's reckless behavior and a dangerous adventure.

## In the story

### [The Camel's Back](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/short_fiction_16_se/chapters/the-camel-s-back)

The protagonist who, after a fight with Betty, attends a party dressed as a camel and impulsively marries her.

### [I](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/short_fiction_16_se/chapters/i)

Protagonist, a 28-year-old lawyer from Toledo, engaged to Betty Medill, attends the circus ball as Julius Caesar.

### [II](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/short_fiction_16_se/chapters/ii)

Main character of the chapter; visits Mrs. Nolak's costume shop and orchestrates the camel costume scheme.

### [III](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/short_fiction_16_se/chapters/iii)

Inside the camel costume, attending the Townsends' circus ball after a mix-up at the Tates' dance.

### [IV](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/short_fiction_16_se/chapters/iv)

Disguised as a camel, dances the cotillion, participates in the mock wedding, and inadvertently reveals his identity when Jumbo reads the real marriage license.

### [V](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/short_fiction_16_se/chapters/v)

The front half of the camel; tries to navigate the scandal and proposes a real marriage to Betty.

## Links

- HTML: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/short_fiction_16_se/characters/perry_parkhurst
- Book: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/short_fiction_16_se
- All characters: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/short_fiction_16_se/characters