F. Scott Fitzgerald’s The Great Gatbsy begins by immediately introducing the book's narrator. Nick Carraway manages to charm the reader by appearing more humble and honest than just about anyone in the novel. However, Nick may not be the reliable source he initially appears to be. Indeed, there is a great deal of ambiguity in his tone. Chapter One shows Nick's charming but ambivalent mix of self-deprecatory wit, bemusement, and uncertainty. Nick includes many self-critical details to show that he has a realistic view of his own flaws. This does set him apart from his peers, who are either arrogant or dishonest about themselves, or both. After introducing his moral and behavioral ideal of being non-judgmental, he clarifies that it is “a matter
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He mentions that his own house “was an eyesore, but it was a small eyesore, and it had been overlooked, so I had a view of the water, a partial view of my neighbour’s lawn, and the consoling proximity of millionaires – all for eighty dollars a month” (6) Nick’s insignificance here is based on his financial status; it is only the fact that his place was “overlooked” by the wealthy that even allows it to stand. His initial description of Jordan Baker tells that she reclined “with her chin raised a little, as if she were balancing something on it which was quite likely to fall” (9). His euphonious language masks the inherent criticism of Ms. Baker. Nick is able to introduce elements of great importance, such as the disparity in wealth in the East or the haughtiness of an upper-class woman, but once again he makes his commentary seem …show more content…
His positive assessment of Gatsby in his reflections is shaped by If, making it conditional, not definite: “If personality is an unbroken series of successful gestures, then there was something gorgeous about him” (4); of course, it is not certain that personality meets this definition. Of his own background, Nick claims that his family has “a tradition that we’re descended from the Dukes of Buccleuch”; his choice of tradition indicates the uncertainty of this statement as well. Nick’s description of Tom is loaded with subjective interpretations, as in “he seemed to say” and “I always had the impression” (8). Nick is already violating his goal of not judging others here, and while his judgment is based on what seems to be solid evidence, in the end it is only Nick’s word we are left to
He mentions that his own house “was an eyesore, but it was a small eyesore, and it had been overlooked, so I had a view of the water, a partial view of my neighbour’s lawn, and the consoling proximity of millionaires – all for eighty dollars a month” (6) Nick’s insignificance here is based on his financial status; it is only the fact that his place was “overlooked” by the wealthy that even allows it to stand. His initial description of Jordan Baker tells that she reclined “with her chin raised a little, as if she were balancing something on it which was quite likely to fall” (9). His euphonious language masks the inherent criticism of Ms. Baker. Nick is able to introduce elements of great importance, such as the disparity in wealth in the East or the haughtiness of an upper-class woman, but once again he makes his commentary seem …show more content…
His positive assessment of Gatsby in his reflections is shaped by If, making it conditional, not definite: “If personality is an unbroken series of successful gestures, then there was something gorgeous about him” (4); of course, it is not certain that personality meets this definition. Of his own background, Nick claims that his family has “a tradition that we’re descended from the Dukes of Buccleuch”; his choice of tradition indicates the uncertainty of this statement as well. Nick’s description of Tom is loaded with subjective interpretations, as in “he seemed to say” and “I always had the impression” (8). Nick is already violating his goal of not judging others here, and while his judgment is based on what seems to be solid evidence, in the end it is only Nick’s word we are left to