What does Amory learn from her early experiences with her uncle?

What does Amory learn from her early experiences with her uncle and in Berlin?

Well first he teaches her about gay men - not something she probably had much exposure to. He taught her to trust her creative eye, to fight for what she wanted, but also to let men help her get there. he taught her to expect to be disappointed in men - when he turned over her proofs and negatives, and that the mighty also fall.

Those are good points Ruthiea - I hadn't really thought about what he taught her beyond the failed sex scene. He does teach her a lot more. And he points her to a save young man to explore her sexuality with. He was one of my favorite characters in the book. I thought him giving up her negatives was very believable.

I really think Amory should have learned a lot more from her experience with her uncle. Yes, he did teach and encourage her to be a photographer, but she should have also learned that men are not always what they seem to be. Even after her disastrous sex scene, she continued to look at him as a wise instructor. She trusted him with the negatives to her photos and again he was not what he appeared to be. She should have learned not to be so impulsive, to take her time and follow her instincts rather than depending on the men in her life.

Yes. I agree with reene, key word being impulsive, She often didn't take time to think regarding her actions. The comment on page 226 ("Time is a racehorse, eating up the furloughs as it gallops towards the finish line. Look away for a moment, be preoccupied for a moment, and then imagine what has passed you by.") spoke volumes to me.

Greville taught Amory to be a bit fearless and take risks and not to worry too much about what others think about you - pretty revolutionary lessons for a woman coming of age in the early 20th century.

Her uncle introduced her to her first camera and opened up a whole new world to her. He was the springboard for so much of what she pursued and did in her life.