nick in the great gatsby

Nick versus GatsbyMainframe computers analyze information and
present it so that the observer is able to make accurate observations. In
The Great Gatsby, written by F. Scott Fitzgerald, the narrator, Nick
Carraway, tells a story in which Jay Gatsby tries to attain happiness
through wealth. Even though the novel is titled after Gatsby, Nick, just as
a mainframe computer, analyzes the actions of others and presents the
story so that the reader can comprehend the theme. Throughout the
novel, Nick is the vehicle used to gather all of the pieces together to learn
about Gatsby. Nick is a one of a kind in the novel. He also is the only
character that changes in the novel from the beginning to the end. Nick
is the literary device that is employed to learn about Gatsby, which
ultimately tells the theme of the story. Throughout the novel, flashbacks
are inserted, courtesy of Nick, to reveal piece by piece about the
mysterious Gatsby. Nick patches the pieces of the puzzle together
regarding Gatsby's past and lack of a future. Nick is like the box of a
puzzle; the puzzle is impossible to put together without it. Without Nick,
the reader's opinion of Gatsby would be drastically different. The reader's
opinion would be swayed by the idea that Gatsby becomes rich via
bootlegging alcohol and counterfeiting bonds. Nick persuades the
observer that Gatsby is " worth the whole damn bunch (rich class) put
together"(162). Even though Gatsby aspires to be part of the upper
echelon, he, fortunately, is different from them. Nick also analyzes
Gatsby's behavior in order to provide the reader with details and a
summary of the great man. At the end of the novel, Nick comments on
Gatsby's life by stating that "(Gatsby) had come a long way to this blue
lawn and his dream must have seemed so close that he could hardly fail
to grasp it. He did not know that it was already behind him"(189).
Without Nick, Gatsby's true colors would not be shown and his behavior
would be left not pondered. His presence from the beginning to the end
of the novel is imperative. Nick's uniqueness parallels his importance in
the novel. Nick is very unique and different from all of the other

characters in The Great Gatsby. Most of the characters symbolize
reckless people during the "rip roaring twenties" that only want to be in
the "fast lane" and do not give a damn about others. Nick sticks out of
this crowd like a "sore thumb". Geographically, Nick was raised in the
"friendly" middle-east, while the book takes place in the "snobby" east.
Tom, which is a representative of the rich, casually has an affair with
Mrytle while with Daisy. On the other hand, Nick does not get involved
with Jordan extensively because he has not broken relations with his old
girlfriend in Chicago. He promises himself that "there (is) a vague
understanding that (has) to be tactfully broken off before I (am)
free"(p64). As a result of Nick's and the other character's differing
values, he is considered an outsider. Only several times is Nick invited to
rich gatherings. When he is "partying" with the rich, he resents the fact
that they merely drink and gossip. Nick's uniqueness is probably best
illustrated by Gatsby's funeral. Even though Nick knew Gatsby the least
amount of time of all of his friends, he is one of the only participants at
the funeral. Klipspringer, one of Gatsby's friends, symbolizes the morals
of the rich by stating that he cares more about his own tennis shoes, than
attending Gatsby's funeral. Another one of Gatsby's "friends" cannot
attend the funeral because he is "tied up in some very important business
and cannot get mixed up in this thing now"(174). Nick is totally different
than everyone else, which ultimately puts him in the spotlight. Since he is
exposed, it becomes obvious that his character changes. Unlike any
other character in the novel, Nick undergoes a change from the beginning
to the end. Even the "Great Gatsby" stays the same still believing he will
obtain Daisy and happiness with the acquisition of money. The society
accepts that Jordan, Nick's new girlfriend, cheats in golf and society even
accepts affairs-the ultimate dishonesty in relationships. At the beginning
of the story, Nick tries to become part of the rich society by accepting
Jordan's dishonesty. He rationalizes that "it made no difference to me.

Dishonesty in a women is a thing you never blame deeply-I was casually
sorry, and then I forgot"(p63). He also "chums" around with Tom and
Mrytle to tries to fit in at their parties. Nick also believes that Gatsby is a
fake, unlike the Buchanans. As the novel progresses, Nick learns and
changes. When Mrytle and Gatsby die, Tom and Daisy symbolically take
a trip to Europe. This portrays the idea that the rich buy out of trouble
and their carelessness. Nick comments that "(The rich) (are) careless
people, Tom and Daisy-they (smash) up things and creatures and then
(retreat) back into their money or their vast carelessness and let other
people clean up the mess they had made"(187-188). He finally realizes
how selfish and irresponsible the rich are. As an example, Nick is
disgusted at the fact that Jordan feels no remorse for the Mrtyle's death
and is only worried about dinner. Nick's opinion of Gatsby changes as
well. He realizes that Gatsby is too worthy a man to have an empty
funeral. Therefore Nick promises to the late Gatsby "Just trust me and I'll
get somebody for you-" (172). Throughout the novel, Nick is
instrumental as voice that tells the reader about Gatsby. He is "both
within and without", never really assimilating like the rich. Most
importantly, Nick is the only character in the novel that changes. Nick
Carraway is the main character of the novel. Without Nick, the important
allegorical message would not be illustrated: Money cannot buy love,
friends, and family. It is a fake form of security!