Nick is a very important character in The Great Gatsby. However, he is easily overlooked as he is the narrator and does not a have a great deal of action revolve around him. Instead, he serves as a detached character who sits back and watches the story unfold. This allows Nick, as a character, to develop and grow without actually being a major player in the progression of the story. Nick is the only character who takes away some kind of knowledge at the end of the story.
At the beginning of the novel, Nick establishes himself as an outsider, who has come to live in the ultra-rich lifestyle of Gatsby and the Buchannons. So, even though he becomes somewhat absorbed into their world, he is still reserved and never truly belongs there. It is this sense of detachment that allows us an insight into Nick's character and mentality towards the whole ordeal. As the novel opens, Nick is fascinated by Gatsby. Even as Nick finds out disreputable things about Gatsby's past and how he came to be so wealthy, he never adopts a negative opinion of him. It's almost as if Nick recognizes that Gatsby only wants everything he never had. I think that Nick views Gatsby as an embodiment of the common man; searching for the American Dream, willing to go to whatever lengths necessary to acquire the lifestyle he desires. In this regard, I think Nick empathizes with Gatsby. This would explain why Nick is the only one to go to Gatsby's side after he is shot. Gatsby is the only one that Nick sees before he leaves the East.
I don't think Nick's story is resolved at the end of the novel. On the contrary, I think it is just beginning. Having lived and watched the events and behavior of Gatsby and the Buchannons for some time, I think Nick is able to walk away form that lifestyle having learned a great deal. His insight into Gatsby's personality and ambition gives Nick a clear image of what the 'American Dream' really is and how it can be twisted and broken. I think Nick learned that you can not live your life obsessing over a single dream. Real life can never measure up to fantasy. Such is the story of Jay Gatsby.
Robert, I completely agree with your post. In my essay - I thought Nick did turn out "all right a the end." However I think that phrase can have different meanings to others. For me, I thought he did turn out "all right" because of his new realization; I also think he gains a lot of insight at the end due to Gatsby's death (and due to Gatsby's attempt at the "American dream").
ReplyDeleteI agree that Nick's story isn't resolved at the end. I never really looked at it in that way (I always saw it as him gaining understanding, and moving on with his life). I think the novel does end with a lot of questions of what Nick will do now... did his life change due to these events...? Or will Nick actually make changes in his life?
I also find it interesting that you look at it as Nick having a "learning experience." I believe Nick was having a difficult time ADMITTING that this was the way reality was. I think he did learn of what can happen in the attempt to get the "American dream;" Nick was finally understanding how "great" the "American dream" can be.
Hi Robert!
ReplyDeleteI agree with a lot of what you’re saying. It is definitely easy to overlook a narrator because most of the time they aren’t an actual character. I think that the fact that he is actually in the book adds an appeal to readers because it is different.
I do disagree slightly with your comment about him not being a major player in the progression of the story because without him there would be now story. For one, no one would tell it (ha), two Daisy would never have come over- which is key for the eventual fall of this novel.
Digression back to agreeing with you- he does remained very detached through the novel. This could be explained by his lack of judgment, noted in the first chapter, or maybe he just doesn’t want to actually be apart of it.
It’s like when you hang out with people you’re just getting to know- they drink (heavily), you don’t. It’s a good story to tell, but not a Friday night you want to repeat.
I’m not so sure I got Gatsby viewed as the common man- maybe he started out as common, but it’s like he ends up in an odd limbo between the classes. Nick isn’t quite comfortable, but neither are some of his guests.
I completely agree with your last paragraph- nothing to add :)
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Taylor Jones
Robert, In my post I wrote that Nick's story was resolved at the end...but I didn't really look at it in your point of view. I agree that his life is just starting...after the decline of the American dream I believe he has learned a better way to live his life. I like when you said he learned that the American Dream can be "twisted and broken." I completely agree. After nick witnesses this from Gatsby, I think he went back with a better understanding of life. He has learned not to live a careless life like Gatsby and the Buchannons. I find it impossible for him not to learn from this experience after watching what happened to Gatsby.
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