This Side of Paradise · Character

Tom D'Invilliers

A poet with a taste for decadence and a sharp, self-mocking wit, Tom is Amory's most intellectually honest friend at Princeton.

supporting

Also known as Tom DвАЩInvilliers, Tom, Tom d’Invilliers, Tommy, Thomas Parke D’Invilliers, D’Invilliers

First appearance: Spires and Gargoyles

As a supporting figure in This Side of Paradise, Tom D'Invilliers is not background color—the story leans on what they do once the chapter opens.

Amory's friend at Princeton; a poet and intellectual who shares Amory's literary interests.

In the storyBook I: The Romantic EgotistOpen this moment free

See Tom D'Invilliers in Book I: The Romantic Egotist Book page

Free preview opens at this moment — character cards, Character Web, and themes sit beside the text as you read.

Tom drifts through Princeton with a volume of Swinburne and a talent for puncturing the campus's self-importance, trading verses and cynicism with Amory in late-night rooms. He is more genuinely literary than Amory and less driven to be liked, which makes him both a foil and a comfort. His friendship matters because it gives Amory a mirror for his own pretensions and a companion in the aesthetic pose that will define his youth.

Continue beside the text

The fuller portrait of Tom D'Invilliers sits in Reading Lens — open the free preview to keep reading with notes on the page.

See Tom D'Invilliers in Spires and Gargoyles

Character Web

16 connections

A slice of how Tom D'Invilliers sits in the book — open the reader for the full interactive map.

Relationship types

Friendship
Other

Character groups

Princeton Social Circle
Protagonist
Post-War Relationships
Early Romantic Interests

+11 more in the full Character Web

Open in reader

Narrative arc

Story tension across the book — this chapter sits in Exposition.

Setup
Breaking point
Aftermath
Closing

This scene is the dramatic climax because it presents the emotional peak of Rosalind’s spoiled, self-absorbed…

Full beat labels and climax notes unlock in the reader.

Follow the arc while reading

Relationships

Amory Blaine
friendship · positive
A close, literary-minded friendship with the effete, aesthetic Tom, who serves as Amory's… How this plays out →
Burne Holiday
friendship · positive
Amory Blaine
friendship · positive
A close, literary-minded friendship with the effete, aesthetic Tom, who serves as Amory's… How this plays out →
Burne Holiday
friendship · positive
Amory Blaine
friendship · positive
A close, literary-minded friendship with the effete, aesthetic Tom, who serves as Amory's… How this plays out →
Burne Holiday
friendship · positive

Amory Blaine
A close, literary-minded friendship with the effete, aesthetic Tom, who serves as Amory's foil and fellow seeker of artistic truth.
Burne Holiday
A shared intellectual bond at Princeton, with Burne's earnestness complementing Tom's aestheticism in their mutual rejection of conventional values.
Amory Blaine
A close, literary-minded friendship with the effete, aesthetic Tom, who serves as Amory's foil and fellow seeker of artistic truth.
Burne Holiday
A shared intellectual bond at Princeton, with Burne's earnestness complementing Tom's aestheticism in their mutual rejection of conventional values.
Amory Blaine
A close, literary-minded friendship with the effete, aesthetic Tom, who serves as Amory's foil and fellow seeker of artistic truth.
Burne Holiday
A shared intellectual bond at Princeton, with Burne's earnestness complementing Tom's aestheticism in their mutual rejection of conventional values.

Relationship notes

How these ties play out is in the reading companion — open the free preview.

See Tom D'Invilliers in Spires and Gargoyles

In the story

Tom D'Invilliers appears across 6 companion beats. Open any chapter in the free preview to see the notes beside the text.

Book I: The Romantic Egotist
Amory's friend at Princeton; a poet and intellectual who shares Amory's literary interests.
Spires and Gargoyles
Debates with Amory about Princeton's influence and recites poetry.
The Egotist Considers
Collaborates with Amory on literary pursuits and helps print Amory's satirical poem in the Nassau Lit.
Narcissus Off Duty
Discusses the club reform movement with Amory and Burne; takes a neutral stance.
Interlude: May, 1917–February, 1919
Recipient of Amory's letter from Brest; Amory plans to share an apartment with him and Alec.
II: Experiments in Convalescence
Amory's friend and intellectual sparring partner; criticizes American literature and shares his satirical free verse poem.

Chapter companion notes

Spoil-light check-ins for Tom D'Invilliers unlock in the free preview.

See Tom D'Invilliers in Spires and Gargoyles

See Tom D'Invilliers in Book I: The Romantic Egotist