How Is Nick Carraway Portrayed In The Great Gatsby

In the book The Great Gatsby it is a tragic story from a first person point of view of a guy named Nick Carraway. Nick describes the life of Gatsby, who is portrayed as a wealthy and powerful man, but as the story unfolds, we see how the wealth and power also run in tandem with Gatsby being in despair and a troubled man. This book is a prime example of the fact on how money and power doesn’t always lead to happiness. Instead it can could lead to being depressed, anxious, and even losing something valuable.
Gatsby is a man who’s gained wealth has raised many eyebrows, but instead of being afraid people still regularly attend his big eccentric parties. However, throughout the novel, especially near the beginning, Gatsby is viewed as upset or distraught. There is one instance is when Nick sees Gatsby for the first time after one of his famous parties. Nick notes, “But I didn't call to him, for he gave a sudden intimation that he was content to be alone. He stretched his arms toward the dark water in a curious way,and,far from him, I could of sworn he was trembling,” (20-21). Here Nick was giving the impression that Gatsby was trembling ,and when

someone is trembling usually means they are afraid,worried,or stressed about something. Americans are given the impression that money and power will bring happiness, but this is just an illusion implanted in Americans to make them work hard.Gatsby is also portrayed as upset is when he and Nick are in the car. Gatsby turns to Nick and says,“Well, I’m going to tell you something about my life, “he interrupted.” I don't want you to get the wrong idea of me from all these stories you hear.”(65) I believe this means that the extensive rumors that are going around about him are bothering him and he doesn't want his friend to think poorly of him. In our world rumors and lies about our lives can cause us stress. Gatsby’s money and power are the main reasons that people are talking about him and lying on him. These two points show the cold truth that money and power equals happiness is just an illusion and that it can actually cause you to be upset or distraught.
At one point, Gatsby invited Daisy, Tom, and Nick to one of his party's.

After the party Gatsby tells Nick, “She didn't like it.. She didn't have a good time.”(109) Obviously, Gatsby tried very hard to impress Daisy. Gatsby was really upset that Daisy didn’t have a good time at his very extravagant party. Even though he had money he could not get what he wanted the most and this troubled him. His party, that he spared no expense, did not impress Daisy. Another time that we see Gatsby upset is after the death of Myrtle and the fight at the restaurant. Gatsby says “...And if he tries any brutality she’s going to turn the light out and on again.”(144) This shows that Gatsby is worried about Daisy and how his money and status wouldn't save her from Tom. In fact, no amount of money would save him from what happens

next.
Imagine if you lost something of great value. You wouldn't be very happy about it. Im sure thats how Gatsby was feeling as he was dieing. “It was only after we started with Gatsby toward the house that the gardener saw Wilson’s body a little way off in the grass, and the holocaust was complete.” What Nick meant by this was that both Gatsby and Wilson were dead. Wilson is an old mechanic The holocaust he mentioned was the tragic ending of Gatsby's life, and no amount of power and money can escape death. As Wilson was about to kill Gatsby, he didn't care that this man was influential, rich and powerful.. All he cared about was getting revenge on Myrtle’s killer and lover. Even,with Gatsby's stature and wealth, only a handful of people showed up to his funeral. Those people where Eagle eyes, Mr Gatz,and Wolfsheim. In our world when someone with as much power,stature,and money dies, we make a big deal out of it. Nick wrote “The minister glanced several times at his watch, so I took him aside and asked him to wait for half an hour. But it wasn’t any use,nobody came.” If we know the deceased or not personally or not we still grieve and here it seemed the only one grieving was Nick. Gatsby used his money to throw great parties, but Nick and Eagle Eyes were the only party goers at his funeral.
Not even Daisy, the one he tried so hard to impress attended his funeral.p, I’m sure this would have upset Gatsby .. because I found it very upsetting.
These key plot points show the things that upset and troubled Gatsby. His money and power got him some things he wanted, but not all of them. He never got the one thing he wanted, which was Daisy. This book shows how money and power doesn’t always lead to happiness. In this case it just lead to despair, trouble, and eventually death..