F.Scott Fitzgerald’s The Great Gatsby is narrated by character, Nick Carraway. Now, some argue that Nick is a completely unreliable source, however, this is not exactly true. One of the reasons presented as to why Nick is an unreliable narrator is due to his drunken state in chapter two. Nick very clearly admits in the following quote that he was drunk: “I have been drunk just twice in my life and the second time was that afternoon; so, everything that happened has a dim, hazy cast over it [...]” (Fitzgerald, 31). In the quote mentioned above, Nick makes sure to inform the audience that some of his personal opinions may pour in. He does not attempt to manipulate or influence the readers and undoubtedly declares his faults, demonstrating that …show more content…
In other words, he is a human being, not the traditional mechanical narrator in many novels. As a human, it is virtually impossible to have no biases. It is an inevitable part of human nature and you would be lying if you said that you are an objective, impartial individual 100% of the time. Also, though Nick shares his opinions on various characters, that does not mean that his views are inaccurate. For example, Nick characterized Tom as arrogant and snobbish, which is indeed true considering how he brags about his status, cheating on Daisy and when Myrtle kept repeating Daisy’s name, he makes “a short deft movement”(Fitzgerald, ), breaking her nose. This shows that he has a short fuse and will hurt a woman without hesitation. Nick’s descriptions are not just “biases” since Tom really is sexist, rude, and condescending. Without these descriptions the audience may be misguided into thinking that the characters are nicer than they really are (in Tom's case) and so forth. Though his comments may be “snarky”, this does not mean that they are false, which again showcases Nick’s …show more content…
Though he rightfully finds Tom as snobby, he acknowledges that he is a very accomplished man, as shown in the following quote: “[Tom is] one of those men who reach such an acute limited excellence at twenty one” (Fitzgerald, ) and even calls him a “national figure”. Nick made sure to give the audience both sides- the negative and the positive which shows that though he is not fond of Tom, he is able to put personal feelings aside, making him reliable. Finally, what better choice is there? If Gatsby were the narrator, he would normalize his complete obsession with Daisy, and Daisy and Tom would just completely target Gatsby while fabricating their relationship. For example, in chapter 1 Daisy reveals that Tom hurt her finger. It was more than “hurt”, in fact “her knuckles were black and blue” (Fitzgerald, ). Tom’s perspective would definitely not include his penchant for hitting women (as mentioned before when he broke Myrtle’s nose). Instead he would insist that he is a loving husband which is false. Nick is not involved in the conflict between the other characters so he would be a reliable source. He has nothing to gain by agreeing with
First, throughout the novel Nick is constantly judging others. In the beginning paragraphs he mentions a lesson his father once taught him. “In consequence, I’m inclined to reserve all judgments, a habit that has opened up many curious natures to me and also made me the victim of not a few veteran bores” (1). Nick is proud of the fact that he listens to others because of his ability to reserve his judgments, but in this same line he still calls them “bores.” This is shown, constantly throughout the novel. Another time he does this is when he is talking about young men which truly reflects what Nick is like. “In an interesting confession, Fitzgerald gives a clue to Nick’s true nature. Speaking of other men, Nick says, ‘“the intimate revelations of young men or at least the terms in which they express them are usually and marred with obvious suppressions’” (Labbot, The Reliability). This shows that Fitzgerald was forewarning about Nick’s narration of the story. The next time...
On the next page, he deals a simple ultimatum about his own character: “I am one of the few honest people that I have ever known” (59). Part of the fundamental basis of honesty is the establishment of trust between two people; therefore, Nick’s supposed honesty implies that he is trusted by those around him - particularly Tom, Daisy, and Gatsby. However, Nick clearly violates any and all trust which is placed in him on several occasions during the novel; therefore, while his words show him as an honest and true man, his actions show that not only is he dishonest at times, but he also encourages the dishonesty of
...has led him to the position he is now in. For instance, there was an opportunity that daisy went back to Gatsby, if she knew Tom was cheating on her. Also, if he told the police the truth, they could have come to Gatsby before the husband did which may have prevented Gatsby’s death. Later on in his life, if Nick see’s something wrong he should speak up no matter the consequences are or else he can end up losing great friends just like he lost Gatsby.
Even though he had some thought that the meeting would provoke harmful tensions between Tom, Daisy, and Gatsby, he went along with it anyways, further demonstrating his own innate lack of reservation. Ultimately, Nick is an unreliable narrator who overlooks Gatsby’s lies because of his biased judgment of him. Nick portrays Gatsby as a generous and charismatic figure while in reality, he is a duplicative and obsessed man entangled in illegal business who is determined on an unattainable goal. It is highly ironic that Nick judges others for their lack of morality and honesty; his own character is plagued by lies as he abets Gatsby in many of his schemes.
Why would he help Daisy have an affair if he was such an honorable gentleman? One reason he might’ve helped Gatsby and Daisy was because he knew Tom was an awful husband and person and Tom and Daisy’s marriage was unhealthy. He thought that Daisy deserved better and Gatsby could give her better than Tom. Another reason was because of the advice his father gave him. “Whenever you feel like criticizing anyone just remember that all the people in this world haven’t had the advantages that you’ve had.” Nick is a pretty tolerant person and tries not to judge people. Because of this he doesn’t say anything to Tom about his promiscuity or to Gatsby about his infatuation with Daisy. It’s also the reason he sees Jordan. She’s obviously dishonest but he overlooks it as a way of being tolerant. This is another reason why everyone likes him, he doesn’t say anything about their bad deeds. This is not one of his best traits. Its good to be tolerant in some cases, but Nick can sometimes act as an enabler. His tolerance can also lead him to awkward situations. For example, he could’ve pushed harder to leave when Tom invited him to spend the day with him, Myrtle, and the others, but he doesn’t want to judge Tom so he stays. This happens again when he spends the afternoon with Gatsby and Daisy after they first reunited. Although, at the end of the book Nick becomes tired of being tolerant of things he doesn’t agree
His opinions were never spoken, and no one asked for them. This characteristic about him never changed throughout the story. Nick changed in a different way, mostly involving his emotions towards Gatsby’s actions when he attempting to get Daisy back. He started partying more which then led to him drinking more in his life than he ever has before. As he got more involved with Gatsby’s situation he became more annoyed and frustrated with it. Gatsby always talked to him about it and would never leave him alone. He got pushed into awkward positions like the argument in the hotel (page 133,134,135). Nick was emotionally drained towards the end of the book, and could not deal with the drama he had became involved
Daisy serves as symbolism for Gatsby as chasing the one thing he couldn’t have no matter how much wealth or parties he threw or possessed. Wilson also has a similarity because he also wants myrtle which he can’t have because in Fitzgerald’s book women are only portrayed to be attracted by Tom’s Money. Both characters Daisy and Mrytle only serve as objects for money. Ultimately, Nick's major character trait – reserving judgment – allows him to be almost an "invisible" narrator, similar to a traditional third-person omniscient point of view. Which leaves us with a question (or three): why choose a first-person narrator at all? Why not just a third-person and be done with it? And how "invisible" and "non-judgmental" is Nick, really?
Though the story is told from Nick’s point of view, the reader gets many perspectives of Gatsby from different characters. One can see from characters like Jordan Baker -Nick’s girlfriend through the majority of the novel, or Tom- the husband of Nick’s cousin Daisy; that Gatsby is not as good as everyone where to think. Based on how these characters act and feel about Mr. Gatsby it is evident that they dislike him to some extent, showing a bit more of a flawed human side of him. Tom is quoted saying “I picked him for a bootlegger the first time I saw him, and I wasn't far wrong.” about Gatsby depicting Tom’s harsh feelings towards him and showing the reader Tom’s negative feelings about Gatsby. Because the story is told from Nick’s point of view, Gatsby is still painted as this mysterious man because Nick is a bit curious of him and does not know Gatsby in the beginning. ‘"They're a rotten crowd," I shouted across the lawn. "You're worth the whole damn bunch put together."’ Nick says to Gatsby, showing that he thinks he is worth more than Daisy, Tom, or the other characters. With this quote one can infer that Nick holds Gatsby on a bit of a high platform than the other characters, giving the reader Nick’s indirect characterization of
“The Great Gatsby” is one of these stories with its amazing characters and its exaggeration. This book has a major drawback. Gatsby and Nick’s relationship was too close. Gatsby was so cautious that he fired all his servants, but he allowed Nick to stay with him to peek on Daisy and Tom and to make sure Daisy was not hurt. Nick accepted his request to stay outside. This is where Nick contradicts himself again, “I disliked him so much by this time that I didn’t find it necessary to tell him he was wrong.” (Fitzgerald,136). He disliked Gatsby but he still stayed to help. But why should Gatsby, such a cautious person, allow Nick to stay beside him? And why would Nick be willing to stay even if he dislikes Gatsby so much? This part of the story is illogical, and that is why I don’t like this
Throughout the entire novel it is clearly portrayed that Nick Carraway is not a moral character by any stretch of the imagination. Nick Carraway may seem to have some good values, but he is in fact immoral for many reasons. First, Nick uses Jordan Baker; he never actually became interested in a serious relationship with the golf star. Miss Baker is basically just a fling to him. Secondly, Nick Carraway always seems to be the middleman in all the trouble that is going on in the novel. The narrator knows about all the lying, deceiving, two-faced things that are going on throughout the story, and he is completely ok with it. Also Nick defends Gatsby even though he very well knows of all Gatsby's criminal activity and liquor smuggling. Finally, Nick is the character who sets up two of the main characters, Daisy Buchanan and Jay Gatsby, to have an affair. It never crosses Nick's mind that it is an immoral thing to set up an affair. During the novel there is a discussion between Gatsby and Nick about when to set up the secret meeting with Daisy. During this exchange Nick actually says, "I'm going to call up Daisy tomorrow and invite her over here to tea.
Nick The Great Gatsby allows the book to fit the theme choices and possibilities perfectly throughout the entire novel. All the characters made decisions that influence the outcome of the plot, but Nick is the stepping stone which allows these dreams to come to fruition. Knowing what he is doing, but like others not planning out what may happen in the near future, Nick allows his cousin Daisy to cheat on her husband Tom and Tom to cheat on Daisy. Gatsby, the man Daisy was cheating with, befriended Nick so he could get closer to Daisy and even convinced him to get Daisy and him together over a nice lunch. Tom having a girl, named Myrtle, in New York City decided to tell Nick his best friend about her and even took him out to meet her. Nick, Meeting Myrtle for the first time, notices that she is also married to a man named George and that they live in an apartment above the gas station that they own. When Tom finally finds out about Daisy being unfaithful to him he humiliates Gatsby in front of Daisy then insults Daisy making her run off and drive back to her house not talking to Gatsby the entire ride. On the car ride back Daisy decides hit Myrtle who ran out of the gas station thinking it was Tom and continues driving without looking back or slowing down. Tom driving back in a separate car
At the end of the book, it is revealed that all of Tom, Daisy, and Nick are extremely careless. Nick’s carelessness detriments his reliability as a narrator. Because of Nick’s deep and familiar connection with Gatsby, Gatsby is “the exception” and Nick cannot be a reliable narrator towards him. Nick really admires and appreciates Gatsby as a friend, although it seems that Gatsby may not feel nth same way ads Nick. Gatsby may have befriended Nick solely because of his connection with Daisy. Nicks obsession with Gatsby and Gatsby’s obsession with
Nick is astonished at this information. He finds it hard to believe that Tom, with a beautiful wife and child, would be having an affair with some woman in the city. Miss Baker thinks “everybody knew” about the affair, yet Daisy is still with Tom. Being too ignorant to make herself believe it’s true, Daisy is willing to stay in the marriage, even when she is presented with an opportunity from Gatsby to escape. Daisy is willing to stay with Tom just because he has “old money,” and that shows how important it is to her. Everyone else’s morals are just as bad as Tom’s because they know about what’s going on and know that it’s wrong, but they don’t say anything about it. Later in the story, when Wilson is looking for the driver of the yellow car that killed Myrtle, he also suspects that person of having an affair with...
Before considering the "gap" between author and narrator, we should remember how, as readers, we respond to the narrator's perspective, especially when that voice belongs to a character who, like Nick, is an active participant in the story. When we read any work of fiction, no matter how realistic or fabulous, as readers, we undergo a "suspension of disbelief". The fictional world creates a new set of boundaries, making possible or credible events and reactions that might not commonly occur in the "real world", but which have a logic or a plausibility to them in that fictional world. In order for this to be convincing, we trust the narrator. We take his perspective, if not totally, then substantially.
“Guided only by Nick’s limited view of her, readers often judge Daisy solely on the basis of her superficial qualities” (Fryer 43). What the reader sees through the eyes of Nick only appears as a woman whose impatience and desire for wealth and luxury cost her the love of her life, Gatsby. Nick’s narrow perception does not allow one to see that “. [Daisy’s] silly manner conceals a woman of feeling or that her final ‘irresponsibility’ towards Gatsby stems from an acute sense of responsibility towards herself” and that Nick “.clearly does not understand what motivates her” (Fryer 43).