The Great Gatsby Judgemental Analysis Essay

In F. Scott Fitzgerald’s The Great Gatsby, Nick believes himself to be an honest and nonjudgmental narrator. As a child he was told by his father, “Whenever you feel like criticizing any one, just remember that all the people in this world haven’t had the advantages that you’ve had.” (1) I find, after only reading the first chapter, that even the way Nick characterizes the others seems to be judgmental descriptions. Notice the judgment in the way Nick describes Tom, his cousin’s husband, “His family were enormously wealthy—even in college his freedom with money was a matter for reproach.” Even Nick noticing that Tom has “arrogant eyes” seems to be swaying the reader to believe that Nick is judging Tom to be spoiled from old money. (3) While reading the story you not only have Nick’s point of view but Fitzgerald does allow the characters to describe themselves through their own words and actions. For example, Nick’s judgmental description is backed up by Tom’s own bragging, “I’ve got a nice place here,’ he said, his eyes flashing about restlessly. Turning me around by one arm he moved a broad flat hand along the front vista, including in its sweep a sunken Italian garden, a half acre of deep pungent roses and a snub- nosed motor boat that bumped the

To think so highly of himself when a stranger on the street simply asked him for directions. He thought to himself, “I was a guide, a pathfinder, an original settler. He had casually conferred on me the freedom of the neighborhood.” (2) Then to be so timid in front of others. He basically let Tom drag him around the whole night and when regarding Mrs. Baker he states, “If she saw me out of the corner of her eyes she gave no hint of it—indeed, I was almost surprised into murmuring an apology for having disturbed her by coming in.” (4) He spoke little and seemed to just listen and agree with the