Dear AP students:
First, let's talk about the relationship between Gatsby and the narrator Nick Carraway. How exactly does Carraway feel about Gatsby?
In Chapter 8 Carraway talks to Gatsby one last time as he says ...
We shook hands and I started away. Just before I reached the hedge I remembered something and turned around.
"They're a rotten crowd," I shouted across the lawn. You're worth the whole damn bunch put together."
I've always been glad I said that. It was the only compliment I ever gave him, because I disapproved of him from beginning to end.
However, I see a conflict here. If Carraway disapproved of him from beginning to end, why was he the only person (besides Gatsby's dad) that bothered to attend to his funeral arrangements?
Second subject for discussion...in most stories the reader sees the story from the main character's perspective. If the story is told in first person, the person telling the story is usually the main character. The main character can also be identified as the person have the central conflict--he is the one who has to make a major decision/choice. Additionally, the main character of a story is the one who experiences an epiphany or undergoes a change.
So my question for you is this...who is the main character of the story? Is is Gatsby? Or is it Nick Carraway? Is this Jay Gatsby's story? Or is it Nick Carraway's? Who experiences the change/epiphany? Who has the central conflict?
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26 comments:
I feel that Nick is the main character of this story. Through his experiences in the story, Nick learned a lot about the benefits of being a hard worker who follows the rules, and because I think the main character is the person that is able to take something away from their experiences, nick is the only logical choice for main character.
The reason why Nick went to Gatsby's funeral despite the fact that he disliked him was that he learned from Gatsby’s mistakes. Nick saw first hand how money had effected Gatsby and therefore knew that money was not the how to achieve your dreams. I also feel that Nick felt sorry for Gatsby, in the sense that his hopes for love went unanswered.
When Nick tells Gatsby that 'they' are a rotten crowd, he's referring to everyone he knows in the east wing, from the Buchanans to George and Myrtle, the whole lot. In fact, there's a chance that instead of just one section, Nick is referring to the whole world because of what he's been witness to within the text but before the circumstances. In the beginning he told readers the for a time, he wanted the world to be in some sort of moral equality, where there was no more or no less, a sort of Buddhist perspective applied to society as a whole. Seeing how everything's affected such a man of Gatsby's stature has him in more than disbelief.
Because if even he didn't like him, Gatsby was the closest he'd ever seen a person to that level of contentment, if I'm interpreting right anyway. The least he could have done was attend his funeral to pay respects, because he saw that Gatsby was more respectable than anyone else, from his cousin who wouldn't own up to her deeds, to her husband who wouldn't be faithful.
Throughout the story Nick didnt really like Gatsby at the same time he still admired him which is very contradictive. Nick was one of the few people who went to Gatsby's funeral because he was only one of the few people in world that knew him well and all the other people were just fake and just wanted to know him because Gatsby was rich. I think Nick is the main character in this story but he's telling Gatsby and Daisy's love story.
Throughout the story Nick didnt really like Gatsby at the same time he still admired him which is very contradictive. Nick was one of the few people who went to Gatsby's funeral because he was only one of the few people in world that knew him well and all the other people were just fake and just wanted to know him because Gatsby was rich. I think Nick is the main character in this story but he's telling Gatsby and Daisy's love story.
Kevin Mendoza
After all the experiences that Nick and Gatsby have gone through, Nick admires Gatsby because he is the only character in the novel that has a dream. Though Gatsby's methods are criminal, Nick recognizes that he had gone through all the trouble to impress Daisy whom he loved. At the end of the novel, Nick realized Gatsby embodies the ability to dream and ultimately, in Gatsby's case, abandon the past and create a whole new identity for himself. Nick values the tremendous effort that Gatsby had gone through in order to create a new persona.
To start off with I believe that Nick is the main character in this story. As he is determined to achieve the American Dream he learns from Gatsby's mistakes throughout the story. It is apparent that Nick does not like Gatsby but he chooses to attend his funeral because he knew how Gatsby really was. I feel that Nick contradicts himself in this story but was very respectful in terms of attending his funeral.
Myzel Esguerra
Nick disapproved of Gatsby's lifestyle. However, he was the only one that bothered with the funeral because he had learned a lot from Gatsby; he respected him. Also because they were very close.
I feel that Nick is the main character in this story because the stroy is told from his point of view.
I feel that Nick is the main character. Even though the Nick seems to be a sort of spectator, his opinions and attitude towards the events unfurling is what drives the book as he meets and learns more of Gatsby. Despite the book looking into the life of Gatsby and focusing on Gatsby's attempts at love, we learn through Nick's perspective how he really feels towards Gatsby. Nick isnt entirely too fond of Gatsby and sees him as a flawed person contrary to the mystery he saw him as in the beginning but he understood him and respected him much more than he could've with Tom who was shown as a more immoral person than Gatsby.
In my opinion Nick is one of the main characters of the story. Nick learned learns a lot about being a hard worker and to follow the rules. Also Nick was able to apply what he has learned or been through in his life and applying to other things. Nick goes to Gatsby's funeral because he was able to learn from Gatsby's mistakes. Also I think that Nick felt pity for Gatsby and his unmet hopes and love.
Jillian Buenviaje
The relationship that Gatsby had with Nick is an unfriendly one. Even though they are neighbors, Nick is very suspicious of his neighbor Gatsby. From the late night parties to the fraternizing with Daisy to his wealth, every action that Gatsby performed were very suspicious to Nick.
Nick had attended the funeral for Gatsby because even though their relationship was mutual, he feels that they have bonded in a way while meeting him for the first time or the embarrassing moments with Daisy. Also, Nick may have felt guilty because he was the only one who may have known the cause of Gatsby's death yet did not speak up in time.
This story is Nick Carraway's story because he is the main character as we are venturing through his eyes and perspective. The change is seen through Nick as in the end of the story, we see that Nick understands that wealth can change a person completely and that a fair way of gaining that money through legal matters would lead to less or no conflicts.
James Lee
I believe that Nick feels sympathy for Gatsby and all that he been through to accomplish so much that payed off in the future. But because the story is being told by Nick does not mean that he has a problem or that he is the main character. He is playing the role of a witness, witnessing Gatsby's story, problem, life, and after. Gatsby is the main character, is the one with the problems, and is the one who is being evaluated through-out the whole book. Gatsby used Nick to have a reason to talk to Daisy after five years of no communication, and Nick was the one who went along with the story. Gatsby wanted to be with Daisy, marry her, love her, be with her basically. Then this is where Gatsby and Daisy started to recendle their old flame as if it never died out.
First of all I believe that when Nick is referring to the whole rotten crowd he is speaking about all the people they have meet like the people who attend his parties, and everyone he meets from New York and east egg. Although he does not approve of his way I believe that Nick feels sympathy for Gatsby and has made a connection with him. Also I think he goes to his funeral out of respect because he learned so many life lessons from Gatsby
Secondly I believe that the main character of the novel is Nick. The reason is that he is the one learning the lessons from Gatsby. however the novel is a frame story of sorts and I believe that Gatsby is the main character of the frame story or of Nicks memories.
I actually chose this as one of my journal entries, because yes it does present an irony. There really are a number of ways that this can be interpreted, but I think I'm leaning toward the explanation of Nick being intrigued by how Gatsby was in contact with/related to/wanted to be a part of/affected by/driven by the "rotten crowd". Given his respect of the man's initially honest intentions, and the brutal nature of his death, I think that Nick felt in tune with Gatsby, as if he were the only one who understood him an therefore should attend. Even when you believe you disapprove of someone, you could be subconsciously connected to them somehow, but interest or envy, and therefore grow a certain level of respect enough to attend their funeral.
Can't both be main characters? When stories about someone's experiences with them are told to us by our parents that does not mean that it was our parents' story to tell. Likewise, it can be argued that the story is the story of Nick undergoing a significant change of perspective of the world by his experiences with Gatsby. I would lean, however, to the ultimate main character being Gatsby in that there is an "after" to his story, albeit not a "happily ever" to precede it.
Nick is the main character of this story. I state this because Nick observed everybody around him and grew as a person. He saw how Gatsby messed up with money and learned from the mistake. The reason he went to the funeral was because of the sorrow he felt for Gatsby. Gatsby was unable to obtained what he wanted his whole life and wanted to attend the funeral.
-Cobrin Humphery
I think when Nick yells that its also an almost indirect comment to everyone else in this horrible community, all the fake people and all those negative influences that surround him. He wants them to feel bad, and even if they dont hear him yell that he is letting out something that has been in his mind.
The reason Nick attended Gatsby's funeral was most likely because he was close to him and in a way admiring of him, in a twisted way. He disapproved of him yet at the same time he didnt. He really knew him and was one of the few people to truly get along with him. Perhaps it was just out of respect or maybe he felt a need to.
Nick is the main character of the story. because throughout the story nick is the one that changes the way he thinks and treats other people
( gatsby )
at first he didn't approve of him but later in the story he became more "understandable" and sorry about Gatsby and his life.
Also, the reason Nick attended the funeral was because he felt it was the right thing to do. (imagine him talking about WHY he didnt go ) and that really talks good about his persona, it shows you that one can have millions of friends.. but only few true ones.
Nick was the main character of the story. The entire story was from his perspective, and it is apparent that through his experiences, he learned about himself, the difference between the East and Midwest culture, and the corruption found in the East.
Even though Nick didn't approve of Gatsby, I believe he felt pity for him. He saw how everyone around Gatsby was using him for his lavish parties, social standing and to be involved in the gossip going around about Gatsby. He attends to his funeral arrangements because no one else will, and since he was Gatsby's closest friend, he feels responsibility to take on this duty.
-Kimberly Parra
Nick went to Gatsby's funderal beacuse he felt a sort of duty to attened. Although he did disapprove of his actions, Nick and Gatsby had a close connection throughtout the story. Nick never became to close to any one person in particular yet he and Gatsby had connections. nick attened his funderal beacuse Gtasby had chnaged his life and made him look at it from a differnet persepctive. He felt like he owned at least this to Gatsby.
I feel the main character in thi s story is Gatsby as told through Nick's persecptive. The title of the story is the great gatsby and highlights the events the sourround his life. If Gatsby were telling this story i think the main character wouyld be Nick. Gatsby greatly affects Nick's life.
-Mason Moyers
Even though Nick said that he disliked Gatsby from begnning to end, I believe that Nick did not really dislike him entirely. I think that Nick just dissaproved of Gatsby's actions, such as how Gatsby attained his wealth through illegal ways. Nick attended Gatsby's fumeral because he liked Gatsby as a friend. Another reason of why Nick attended Gatsby's funeral is because he felt sorry for Gatsby. Gatsby had all the money, but was never happy because he never had Daisy.
As said in the post, he "disapproved of him from beginning to end". From the moment Nick had met Gatsby he saw him as the embodiment of everything he wants to be, but as their friendship progressed, he had seen through the mask of Gatsby and uncovered the truth about him being a criminal. At Gatsby's funeral, Nick and a handful of others showed up as to the masses that showed up at his luxurious parties. Nick and Meyer Wolfsheim may have been the only friends he possessed in the cruel world and they may have been the only two to have paid their respects to him. Gatsby may have possessed a great ammount of wealth, but his money was new money, and unlike Tom, Daisy, or Jordan, he does not get consumed by the money, but rather by his blinding love for Daisy.
I believe Nick was the main character of the story because all of the characters were perceived through his eyes. Also Nick seemed to like and respect Gatsby I believe that's why he attended his funeral.
Nick is Gatsby's only friend. Although Nick isn't exactly fond of Gatsby's irrational personality, he feels sorry for Gatsby. He feels it is his duty, more than is choice to be Gatsby's friend. That is why he felt he had to be at Gatsby's funeral. It was his obligation, if anything, to honor his "friend" even in death.
This is definitely Nick's story, not only because he is the narrator, but because he was changed by Gatsby. Gatsby did not undergo a change. Gatsby loved Daisy in the begining, pursued her throughout his life, and died, still in love with her. Nick on the other hand, went to the East wo work, and was changed after he left. He felt disillusioned after all the...incidents that went on in New York. He had a little less faith in humanity at the end of it all, and felt safest in the West. His West.
I think that Carroway is the main character. He is the one whose mind changes constantly throughout the story while Gatsby seems to remain the same. Stories are good because you get to see characters evolve on a more complex level than gaining wealth. Carroway is also the person who you see the personal beliefs of, you see his belief on how money influences people and how the "American Dream" can destroy your integrity. Gatsby seems to be a secondary character.
It is kind of a conflict that Nick would say that about Gatsby when he obviously showed interest in him at first. I think Nick felt the greatest sympathy and pity towards Gatsby because Nick was probably the closest thing he had to a friend and he completly knew Gatsby's situation and how he got to where he was at.
Second, I believe that Nick was the main character of the story. Gatsby did not really undergo a change as did Nick in that he learned that money wasn't everything because of how it made people act and feel. Although he did not undergo the major conflict, in the end, he was a part of the big resolution: that the American Dream involves hardwork and not by means of cheating, deciet and unethical actions.
-Dominique Rillo
Mr. Rodriguez, you read my mind!! I had been wondering the exact same thing ever since the beginning of the book. Honestly, I don't believe there a main character in this story. To begin with, the book is titled The Great Gatsby. Second, although Nick is the narrator of the book, Gatsby seems to have a central conflict, reconquering Daisy, and achieving the American dream. Nick on the other hand, just seems to have a small identity conflict, because he wants to truimph in the East and become someone of importance, but at the same time, he constantly wonders whether or not he made a right decision leaving the Midwest. Now these two choices left me off exactly were I started from- who is the protagonist? So I decided that whoever was mentioned in the conclusion must be it, because the reader will finish the book remembering that character. once I reread the conclusion, I realized there wasn't a protagonist because Nick talks about Gatsby and what he believed in, but in the last paragraph he adds himself to the equation. He says, "Gatsby believed in the green light...it eluded US then, but that's no matter- tomorrow WE will run faster, stretch out OUR arms farther...", so does that indicate he saw Gatsby and himself as equals?
On to another topic, the compliment that Nick gives Gatsby, I think was quite truthful and heart-felt. He did not truly dissaprove of Gatsby, he dissaproved the way he obtained his fortune. But once he compared Gatsby to Tom, who did earn his fortune legally, he realized that Gatsby was a much better person than the snobs who phad "old money".
I believe that Nick is the main character of the story although the book is titled the "Great Gatsby"Gatsby is maybe just a learning lesson to Nick. Because of the choices that Gatsby has and his conflicts in achieving the American Dream and the obstacles he has to overcome. For example his obsession with wealth and he believes that the way to accomplish the American Dream is wealth. And Nick admits to feeling he is not at home and how the power of the East changes you.
Ciara Santos
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