“When the butler brought back Wolfsheim’s answer I began to have a feeling of defiance, of scornful solidarity between Gatsby and me against them all.” (165)
Nick's Role
In the novel Nick plays the role of the narrator. Since he is an outsider and is not part of the upper class from the East or West Egg, he gives us an overall perspective of the lives of those who reach for the American dream. His relationship to Daisy as her cousin, and to Gatsby as his friend, also allow us to see different angles of many of the characters lives’ and how they act, depending on who they are with and where they are. Since he is trustworthy and acts as a confidant to many of the characters, he also provides insight into Daisy, Gatsby, and Tom’s unhappy experiences regarding the American dream.
Best Qualities
Loyal Friend
Even though Nick had not known Gatsby for a long amount of time, compared to the many others that had been coming to his parties for years, he was the only one who tried to help Gatsby (with his relationship with Daisy) and stood by him even after his death. He was the one who organized Gatsby’s funeral and relentlessly tried to get people to attend. Eventually he was the only one of Gatsby so called “friends” and acquaintances that attended his funeral. As well he was the only one who looked past the rumors about Gatsby and learned who he truly was.
Observant
We can see that Nick Carraway is extremely observant; this is what makes him a very good narrator. We see that he is observant throughout the book on multiple occasions, one being where he gives detailed descriptions of some of the people that attended Gatsby’s party.
Strong Moral Values
Though Nick may be attracted to the American Dream, in the end we see that he stays true to his values, especially those about friendship. We see that he is the only one who stands by Gatsby after his death, which shows he values friendship (even though a lot of people who go after the American dream do not). Though those who are closest to him (Gatsby and Daisy) are prone to telling lies, he values truth. We see this when he talks to Jordan baker and says that he is “5 years too old to lie to [himself]”
Even though Nick had not known Gatsby for a long amount of time, compared to the many others that had been coming to his parties for years, he was the only one who tried to help Gatsby (with his relationship with Daisy) and stood by him even after his death. He was the one who organized Gatsby’s funeral and relentlessly tried to get people to attend. Eventually he was the only one of Gatsby so called “friends” and acquaintances that attended his funeral. As well he was the only one who looked past the rumors about Gatsby and learned who he truly was.
Observant
We can see that Nick Carraway is extremely observant; this is what makes him a very good narrator. We see that he is observant throughout the book on multiple occasions, one being where he gives detailed descriptions of some of the people that attended Gatsby’s party.
Strong Moral Values
Though Nick may be attracted to the American Dream, in the end we see that he stays true to his values, especially those about friendship. We see that he is the only one who stands by Gatsby after his death, which shows he values friendship (even though a lot of people who go after the American dream do not). Though those who are closest to him (Gatsby and Daisy) are prone to telling lies, he values truth. We see this when he talks to Jordan baker and says that he is “5 years too old to lie to [himself]”
Worst Qualities
Judgmental
Throughout the novel he is extremely judgmental of all the characters (however this is part of what makes him a good narrator) an instance where this can be seen in chapter 9 would be when he states that “They were careless people, Tom and Daisy, - they smashed up things and creatures and then retreated back into their money or vast carelessness”
Hypocritical
Nick is extremely hypocritical. Even though he claims that he “is inclined to reserve all judgment” in chapter one, through the novel we see that he is very opinionated about the morals of various characters. As well even though we see that he scorns the values and lives of the rich, we also know that he came to the west to become a bonds man (and make money) and through his relationship to Jordan see that he is attracted to the American dream.
Throughout the novel he is extremely judgmental of all the characters (however this is part of what makes him a good narrator) an instance where this can be seen in chapter 9 would be when he states that “They were careless people, Tom and Daisy, - they smashed up things and creatures and then retreated back into their money or vast carelessness”
Hypocritical
Nick is extremely hypocritical. Even though he claims that he “is inclined to reserve all judgment” in chapter one, through the novel we see that he is very opinionated about the morals of various characters. As well even though we see that he scorns the values and lives of the rich, we also know that he came to the west to become a bonds man (and make money) and through his relationship to Jordan see that he is attracted to the American dream.