Think about the narrator's role so far in the book (chapters one and two). He functions as both an observer and participant in the action. How does Fitzgerald bring Nick to the center of activity or effectively place him in the background as a bystander? What is the significance of Nick in these different roles? Use textual evidence to support your claims.
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ReplyDeleteNick has a proper job in bonds and is well educated. "My family has been appointed well to do for three or so generations" But at the same time he isn't so privileged he has a bias. So he can look at a situation from more informed view than the readers obtained by his privileged upbringing
DeleteI like how the narrator of The Great Gatsby is also involved as a participant in the action as well. It adds something to the story and explains what happens in the book, but then provides an inside perspective (from nick) as well. In Chapter One, Nick explains many things to the reader but also reflects on things that have happened in his past, in his "more vulnerable" years. In Chapter Two, Nick explains what happens with Tom's mistress but it also goes into present activity involving Nick. When Nick is narrating it kind of brings him to the center. But, in some scenes when Nick is not narrating he sometimes stands as a bystander while the author tells a part of the story in which Nick is not so much involved. For example, on page 25, there is dialogue between Tom and Wilson. Nick is not involved in this conversation, BUT after it takes place, Nick starts narrating..."His voice faded off and Tom glanced impatiently around the garage. Then I heard footsteps on a stairs, and in a moment the thickish figure of a woman blocked out the light from the office door..." Nick narrated. I like how it shows the significance of Nick whether he is in the center of activity or in the background as a bystander.
ReplyDeleteI agree that Nick being both a bystander and a presence in the book gives good perspective from both angles. We get to see what is going on in Nicks mind, but also how the other Characters are interacting.
DeleteNick is always present. Weather he is actually in the conversation or just in the scene. For example when Nick was with Tom getting his mistress he was a bystander. "Though I was curious to see her, I had no desire to meet her-but I did." Nicks presence in this scene shows that Tom isn't keeping her a big secret. Tom had just met Nick and he is already showing Nick his mistress. Nicks role is important because we are seeing everything through his eyes. The things that happen are his interpretation of the situation.
ReplyDeleteFitzgerald purposely made Nick as the center of attention in his book, The Great Gatsby. The story seems to be driven by Nick and his adventures throughout the areas of and around East and West Egg.
ReplyDeleteWe see an example of this when chapter two begins, "I went up to New York with Tom on the train one afternoon and when we stopped by the ashheaps he jumped to his feet and, taking hold of my elbow, literally forced me from the car. 'We're getting off,' he insisted. 'I want you to meet my girl.'"
For no apparent reason at all, Tom wants to introduce his affair to Nick, who had very little involvement with the situation in the first place. Furthermore, it was a more of an insistent offer, rather than a more casual suggestion. The transition that Fitzgerald makes for the story to progress is subtle, but still exists.
This however could draw questioning from the event. Why would Tom want to show another person his distant lover when instead, he could have been spending time with her? Is their relationship bound by love or something else?
My conclusion of this event must mean something greater; probably a build-up of an event that will be realized shortly. Nevertheless, Nick is the lens in which the reader can experience the story and, according to recent events in the book, will eventually have a significant role to play in Fitzgerald's novel.
Fitzgerald wanted a protagonist and he chose Nick. If Nick wasn't here we would have no story. Which is why I would agree that Tom taking Nick to New York has absolutely no reasoning at all and yeah you should question it. It is kind of a dumb decision but I will give the credit that it could lead to a greater purpose so it's cool for now
DeleteJohn, I think you make some really great points, like why would Tom want to bring Nick to meet his mistress. I agree that there Tom's and Mrs. Wilson's relationship are bound on something else, like lust.
DeleteBecause Nick is a second cousin to Daisy, Fitzgerald is involving Nick to the center of activity. As it is shown in the book, "[Nick] went up together to New York" (Fitzgerald 24) with Tom and Mrs. Wilson. The author is deliberately involving Nick into Tom's affair, which shows Nick's activity in the book.
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