Why Is Nick Carraway Important In The Great Gatsby
In F. Scott Fitzgerald’s renowned novel, The Great Gatsby, a multitude of characters are employed to affect and relate to the development of surrounding characters as well as uncover the underlying themes of the novel. Fitzgerald utilized one particular character in such a way that makes him an ideal subject for this essay. This essential character in the story is none other than Nick Carraway, the antithesis of Gatsby and a peripheral narrator of the book. Nick is the quintessential model of a character that plays a significant role not only in the development of other prominent characters, but also in the central theme of the novel-- the corruption and fallibility of the “American Dream.” Nick’s close relationships with Jay Gatsby and
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In fact, Nick is the only character that actually has an understanding of the themes that Fitzgerald employs in this novel. The most important underlined theme that Nick ends up coming to terms with is the diminishing of what is known to be “American Dream”. The idea that merit and hard work aren't enough, and being born into wealth and social class is the only way to really be seen as being “successful” is what ends up making Nick change over the development of the book from a man dreaming of a fortune, to a man who knows only too well what misery a fortune can bring. Nick ultimately goes through these understandings after the tragic death of Gatsby, particularly after seeing that no one that was a part of Gatsby’s life was even willing to make an appearance at his funeral. Nick stands by Gatsby after the tragic accident and even takes on the chore of handling Gatsby’s affairs after his death. Daisy and Tom not showing up to show respect to Gatsby was especially unsettling to Nick, and finally brought him to the conclusion that they were no different than the rest. "They were careless people, Tom and Daisy--they smashed up things and creatures and then retreated back into their money of their vast carelessness”. Daisy and Tom are the ultimate model of what wealth and materialism can turn people into, and are a perfect example of the type of people that make the glamorous East Coast the immoral and unprosperous place that it really is in this time period, subsequently making Nick want to move back to the Midwest, where the values and morals of people have yet to
In fact, Nick is the only character that actually has an understanding of the themes that Fitzgerald employs in this novel. The most important underlined theme that Nick ends up coming to terms with is the diminishing of what is known to be “American Dream”. The idea that merit and hard work aren't enough, and being born into wealth and social class is the only way to really be seen as being “successful” is what ends up making Nick change over the development of the book from a man dreaming of a fortune, to a man who knows only too well what misery a fortune can bring. Nick ultimately goes through these understandings after the tragic death of Gatsby, particularly after seeing that no one that was a part of Gatsby’s life was even willing to make an appearance at his funeral. Nick stands by Gatsby after the tragic accident and even takes on the chore of handling Gatsby’s affairs after his death. Daisy and Tom not showing up to show respect to Gatsby was especially unsettling to Nick, and finally brought him to the conclusion that they were no different than the rest. "They were careless people, Tom and Daisy--they smashed up things and creatures and then retreated back into their money of their vast carelessness”. Daisy and Tom are the ultimate model of what wealth and materialism can turn people into, and are a perfect example of the type of people that make the glamorous East Coast the immoral and unprosperous place that it really is in this time period, subsequently making Nick want to move back to the Midwest, where the values and morals of people have yet to