The Great Gatsby Character Analysis

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In regards to Nick’s reliability and effectiveness in his role as the narrator, I believe that he is entirely qualified and that it was the most effective way to narrate the novel. First of all, he lives right next door to Gatsby which allows him to assist Gatsby due to his close proximity. In addition, Nick is Daisy’s second cousin once removed so he can closely observe the relationship between her and Gatsby. Since he is a secondary character and not Gatsby himself, his emotions are not as affected by Daisy’s or Tom’s actions. His nonpartisan perspective and understanding personality is stated in the beginning of the book. “…I’m inclined to reserve all judgments, a habit that has opened up many curious natures to me…” (1) However, he is close to these characters so he can also give insight to the audience and has many intrusions throughout the story. Even though Nick is supposed to simply be a character in the book, it hints that he is also the author of the book and has an omniscient point of view. He also makes the audience feel as if he is speaking directly to them and simply retelling a story from the summer he spent with Gatsby. 4. In The Great Gatsby, Fitzgerald presents many symbols that had a significant impact in effectively showing the deterioration of the American Dream. The most important symbols that are central to his message are the eyes of Doctor T.J. Eckleburg, the valley of ashes, and the green light. When Gatsby first takes note of the eyes of Doctor T. J. Eckleburg in chapter two he states that “above the gray land and the spasms of bleak dust which drift endlessly over it, you perceive, after a moment, the eyes of Doctor T. J. Eckleburg” (23). Throughout the novel, this pair of fading eyes painted on the... ... middle of paper ... ...by] had [not] once ceased looking at Daisy…he revalued everything in his house according to the measure of response it drew from her well-loved eyes” (91). All Gatsby wanted to do was to impress her and to love her, but it seemed as though all she cared about was the size of his wallet. Ultimately, Daisy claims that she loved Gatsby primarily, but she did love Tom once and Gatsby’s daze is ruined by her confession. Additionally, she then allows Gatsby assume full responsibility for killing Myrtle Wilson even though she was operating the car when they hit her which lead to Gatsby’s murder. She did not even have the decency to attend his funeral and she and Tom simply “retreated back into their money or their vast carelessness” and moved away. Gatsby deeply loved Daisy and wanted to believe that she loved him too, but the feeling was never truly reciprocated by her.

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