Why Is Nick Carraway Important In The Great Gatsby

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In The Great Gatsby, the narrator's fondness in Gatsby is not directly addressed, which makes the reader question it, and whether it is a result of his wealth or personality. Firstly, Nick opens the book with a brief description of Gatsby and his influence upon himself. Next, Gatsby is created by the author as a hero and renowned character. Also, Nick Carraway compares Gatsby to other historical figures and describes him only with kind words. In conclusion, in The Great Gatsby, Nick's great respect for Gatsby is a result of his personality and influence, rather than his wealth. In the novel, the narrator, Nick Carraway, describes his interest in Gatsby’s character very early in the story. For example, on page 2, Nick says "Gatsby, who represented everything for which I have an unaffected scorn. If personality is an unbroken series of successful gestures, then there was something gorgeous about him, some heightened sensitivity to the promises of life." In this quote, Nick is saying that Gatsby’s personality is “gorgeous,” rather than saying his mansion or other tangible items …show more content…

For example, "He was still able to be the romantic hero, Jay Gatsby." This quote is important because it is evidence that Gatsby is recognized by critical writers as the hero of the story. This is relevant because the story is told through Nick Carraway's perspective, so his views provided the idea that Gatsby is a romantic hero. In addition, Robert Beuka, the writer of American Icon says "(Gatsby) summons images of ethnic immigrants and internal racial minorities, and yet he also captivates Nick Carraway’s imagination." This is an example of another analyst who believes that Gatsby is capable of capturing Carraway’s curiosity. In conclusion, Gatsby’s character is meant to be interpreted as a deep character with intangible values that are more important than his fancy

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