Analysis Of Nick Carraway In The Great Gatsby

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Ever since its first publication, The Great Gatsby, by Scott Fitzgerald, and its characters have been thoroughly analyzed and debated. While some scholars view Gatsby as a selfish crook who takes advantage of those around him in order to achieve his goals, his inspiring nature and hopeful charm redeem him. Though his actions throughout the novel may sometimes be viewed as distasteful, the underlining theme of what he stands for makes him an admirable man.
Like Nick Carraway, many people feel an automatic dislike towards extremely wealthy individuals; for Nick, Gatsby is the exception. In comparison to those such as Daisy and Tom, who Nick describes as “careless people”, who “smashed things and creature and then retreated back into their money…and …show more content…

Yet, this notion does not diminish the value of Gatsby’s character. Nick observes Gatsby reaching out towards the green light at Daisy’s dock, saying that, “Gatsby believed in the green light, the orgiastic future that year by year recedes before us. It eluded us then, but that’s no matter –tomorrow we will run faster, stretch out our arms farther… And one fine morning –” Daisy has been and will always be the unobtainable green light at the end of the dock for Gatsby. Ornstein writes that, “Gatsby, less wise than Nick, destroys himself in an attempt to seize the green light in his own fingers.” Gatsby’s persistence to achieve his dream was so great that it cost him his life. Even though it was never possible for Daisy and Gatsby to be together like they were in the past, the goal of Daisy and the goal of love is the driving factor that motivates him to succeed. Voegeli points out that, “Jay Gatsby moved from the romantic love of a woman to the romance conviction that the hard realities of this world can be made to yield to a steadfast heart and a vaulting spirit, to one’s “Platonic conception of himself.”” Having this hope allowed Gatsby to strive above and beyond what was expected of him in his old life; his grandiose dream helping him to surpass the hardships life put in his way. This trait turns Gatsby into an even more likeable character, Voegeli explaining that, “What recommends Gatsby to Nick is not the quality of his judgment, but the intensity of his longing.” Even if Gatsby’s actions were sometimes irrational or scandalous, his conviction toward his romantic dream was undoubtedly

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