Analysis Of Nick's Attitude In The Great Gatsby

Trying to influence the attitude of people towards one another is a formidable task. For example, in The Great Gatsby, Jay Gatsby attempts to be remembered as a well respected, high-ranked individual amongst society. However, he is unable to control that Nick Carraway maintains a pitiful attitude towards him. Nick exhibits his pity for Gatsby by pointing out that he was used by many people, his accomplishments aren’t as impressive as they seem, and all the effort he placed in trying to achieve his dream turned out to be futile in the end. To begin with, Nick indiscreetly points out that most of Gatsby’s acquaintances were using him. He vividly remembers Gatsby’s, “ gleaming, dazzling parties” and “the cars going up and down his drive”. Imagery …show more content…
During his last night in West Egg, Nick subtly stares at Gatsby’s, “huge incoherent failure of a house” and envisions that, “the inessential houses began to melt away”. Nick uses an invective literary device through his harsh description of Gatsby’s house. His description of the house provides insight on the fact that he believes Gatsby was, in fact, a failure. Consequently, he portrays Gatsby’s house, along with the other houses in the community, as more insignificant than they actually are. By the same token, Nick states that, “the trees that had made way for Gatsby’s house, had once pandered in whispers to the last and greatest of all human dreams”. Nick compares the Dutch sailors’ dreams for an untampered America to Gatsby’s vision of rising along the social ladder. Despite Gatsby’s accomplishment of amassing a fortune, his vision is similar to that of the Dutch in that it was never completely fulfilled and is no longer possible. From an outsider’s perspective, it would seem that Gatsby accomplished a great deal, however, Nick believes the contrary, as his wealth and luxurious mansion mean nothing since Gatsby never fully achieved his …show more content…
Despite his wealth, Gatsby is frequently taken advantage of, his accomplishments don’t really mean much, and he invests a considerable amount of effort into a dream that yields no benefit. A seemingly well respected man during the latter years of his life, Gatsby’s downfall ends with him being forgotten, having unfulfilled dreams, and a state of unhappiness. By using an avid collection of rhetorical devices, Nick convincingly harbors pity for a man whom he once respected. In short, despite his consistent effort, the attitude of most people towards Jay Gatsby differs from how he actually wants to be