What did Nick think of Gatsby? This question has intrigued readers of F. Scott Fitzgerald’s classic novel, The Great Gatsby, since its publication in 1925. Nick Carraway, the novel’s narrator, offers a unique perspective on the mysterious and enigmatic Jay Gatsby, providing insight into Gatsby’s character and the societal values of the 1920s.
In the opening pages of the novel, Nick describes Gatsby as a “great Gatsby,” a man of immense wealth and ambition. However, Nick’s admiration for Gatsby is tempered by his observations of Gatsby’s unconventional lifestyle and the questionable means by which he amassed his fortune. Nick is initially intrigued by Gatsby’s lavish parties and his seemingly endless wealth, but as the story progresses, he begins to question the true nature of Gatsby’s character.
Nick’s initial impression of Gatsby is one of awe and admiration. He is drawn to Gatsby’s grandeur and the promise of a life of luxury that Gatsby seems to offer. Nick writes, “I was rather surprised, too, to find him so rich. He was a slender, graceful man, and his slender grace was all that he was. He had a delicate sensuous body, and he moved with an easy grace that was almost a dance.” This description suggests that Gatsby’s wealth and elegance are his defining qualities, at least in Nick’s eyes.
However, as Nick becomes more acquainted with Gatsby, he starts to notice the cracks in Gatsby’s facade. He observes Gatsby’s obsession with wealth and his relentless pursuit of the past, particularly his unrequited love for Daisy Buchanan. Nick writes, “He had been a great Gatsby, and I think that he would have been a great Gatsby if he had ever found what he wanted.” This quote highlights Nick’s belief that Gatsby’s pursuit of wealth and status is a substitute for the love he lost, and that his true greatness lies in his unattainable dreams.
Despite his initial admiration, Nick ultimately finds Gatsby to be a tragic figure. He is haunted by his past and driven by a desire for a life that he can never truly possess. Nick writes, “He was a ghostly figure, haunting the summer nights, and I felt that he was a ghostly figure, haunting the summer nights.” This description emphasizes the isolation and loneliness that Gatsby feels, as well as the futility of his pursuit of the American Dream.
Furthermore, Nick is critical of the 1920s’ materialistic and morally bankrupt society that Gatsby embodies. He is disturbed by the way Gatsby’s wealth and power corrupt those around him, including Tom Buchanan and Daisy Buchanan. Nick writes, “He had been too much excited by the sense of his personal charm to suspect that it was all a little too much for Gatsby.” This quote suggests that Gatsby’s self-assuredness and confidence in his ability to win Daisy back are part of the problem, as they blind him to the reality of his situation.
In conclusion, what did Nick think of Gatsby? Nick’s opinion of Gatsby is complex and evolves throughout the novel. Initially, he is impressed by Gatsby’s wealth and elegance, but as he learns more about Gatsby’s past and his relentless pursuit of the American Dream, Nick becomes critical of Gatsby’s character and the societal values of the 1920s. Nick ultimately views Gatsby as a tragic figure, a man who is haunted by his past and driven by an unattainable dream. Through Nick’s eyes, readers are given a poignant and critical examination of the American Dream and the cost of pursuing it.
