GATSBY

“Whenever you feel like criticizing any one,” he told me, “just remember that all the people in this world haven’t had the advantage that you’ve had” (P.1)
In the begging of The Great Gatsby, the author introduces the narrator, Nick Carraway, as someone who is honest and reliable. From the start, we know that there are differences between social classes, and those who don’t have control over their status, should not be judged. Throughout the book, we learn that Nick’s family was wealthy from the start, and his father gives him the advice to be non-judgmental to others. Therefore we know that he is a respectful man, who keeps his thoughts to himself. According to the narrator, we know that he criticizes Tom Buchanan, by describing his looks and personality as someone rigid. This idea of criticism, coming from Nick, gives an ironic attitude throughout chapter one, which sets the stage that Nick, actually does judge people.
‘Alright, I said, ‘I’m glad it’s a girl. And I hope she’ll be a fool-that’s the best thing a girl can be in this world, a beautiful little fool.’ (P.17) Throughout this section of the book, we see how Daisy is portrayed and, it gives the reader an idea of her personality. This quote clearly portrays her personality, as well as women in that century. She describes her dreams for her daughter, and wishes that her daughter be a fool, in order to be pleased and happy. She portrays this idea that women should be valued though their looks, instead of intelligence. She wished her daughter is a fool because, women had to suffer a lot in those days, and in order to overcome these hardships, and she wants her daughter to be a fool. We see that, Daisy is not dumb, but acts to be one, in order to be accepted by society. “But 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. The eyes of Doctor Eckleburg are blue and gigantic-“ (P.23) In this section we see the setting portrayed as a gray land, and the sky as well. The cause of this ‘gray’ unmovable land may be seen as an industrial land, which contains factories that spur out gray smoke. The setting seems to be dull, dead and poor. I imagine the setting to be like one of those black and white films, where there is completely lack of color. However, eyes of a billboard poster man seem to be revealed. The eyes of T.J. Eckleburg seem to be the most colorful objects throughout this sad setting. The billboard poster seems to pop pit from the gray setting, and seems to be very strange, since it doesn’t math with the description of the setting. The color is symbolic, by portraying a wealthy man contributing to the poor society. I also assume that the eyes of the billboard are the ones on the front of this novel, ensuring that wealthy
Under look the poor.
“It’s really his wife that’s keeping them apart. She’s a Catholic, and they don’t believe in divorce.” Daisy wasn’t a Catholic, and I was a little shocked at the elaborateness of the lie.” (P. 33) I found this quote very significant because it says a lot about society in these times. The idea that Catherine believes this gossip portrays her as gullible and credulous women. This lie also states the idea that Tom has no interest, what so ever, in Myrtle, and has created this lie in order to hide the truth. Tom has created this lie, instead of telling Myrtle the truth about his social class, indicates true perspective of the American society.