The Great Gatsby- Nick's Attitude
Nick's attitude towards Gatsby may seem to be ambiguous because o
f varying tones he uses in his narration. But when one analyzes the speaker's implied tone through
the use of specific and individual words, it is evident that Nick had a clear stance and view of Gat
sby, both before and after his death. This paper will analyze words that Nick uses during his narra
tion that express his attitude towards Jay Gatsby. At first, Nick states, "I didn't want to hear it
and I avoided him when I got off the train." (Page 181) This statement refers to a taxi driver who
told numerous stories pertaining to Gatsby. This quotation implies that Nick is tired of hearing th
e same old stories about the great Gatsby. Many of which are false and most of which superficial in
thought and have no basis. Nick wants to move on instead of brooding over the past and he wants to
forget about Gatsby's existence. "I spent my Saturday nights in New York because those gleaming, da
zzling parties of his were with me so vividly that I could still hear the music and the laughter, fa
int and incessant, from his garden, and the cars going up and down his drive." (Page 181) The use of
certain words in this quotation suggests a sarcastic tone regarding Gatsby. Those gleaming...parti
es of his were with me so vividly that I could still hear the music...faint and incessant. The use
of the darkened words suggests a sarcastic tone because it categorizes Gatsby's parties in a class o
f its own. They have a downbeat tone to them that makes the reader believe that Nick did not sympat
hize with Gatsby because he gave such extravagant parties. A similar tone is developed when the nar
rator states that someone he saw at Gatsby's front steps was probably "some final guest who had been
away at the ends of the earth and didn't know that the party was over." (Page 181) This statement
emphasizes the notoriety of the issue regarding the recent events that had occurred. Through this r
emark, he means to use guest in a sardonic manner, which mocks Gatsby's party guest for not knowing
that the party is over. The use of the word 'some' also creates a deep negative feeling that Nick h
as towards Gatsby because it implies that Gatsby's partygoers, in general, are people of little cons
equence. Nick's reference to Gatsby's mansion as a "huge incoherent failure of a house" (Page 181) f
urther supports the statement that he had a negative attitude towards Gatsby. This is simply inferr
ed from the usage of the words incoherent and failure. He emphasizes more on Gatsby's failure than
on the success that is clearly demonstrated by the immensity and luxuries of his home. A contrastin
g tone that he displays in this passage is one of sympathy. This is exhibited when he narrates the
following: "Gatsby believed in the green light, the orgastic future that year by year recedes before
us. It eluded us then, but that's no matter---tomorrow we will run faster, stretch out our arms fa
rther... And one fine morning---" (Page 182) The use of the words 'us' and 'ours' along with optimis
m, create an impression that Nick commiserates with Gatsby and can relate to him, but has an optimis
tic outlook for himself. In conclusion, the predominant mood that Nick illustrates towards Jay Gatsb
y is that of sympathetic disapproval. He understands and condemns Gatsby's lifestyle, but on the ot
her hand, he seems to understand his problem and holds a more optimistic view of tomorrow. Thus, Ni
ck's distasteful attitudes towards Gatsby outweigh his supportive tone throughout the course of this
passage, and although there is a hint of sympathy towards Jay, the connotation of the words used by
Nick create simply pessimistic view of Gatsby.
great gatsby nick attitude nick attitude towards ga
tsby seem ambiguous because varying tones uses narration when analyzes speaker implied tone through
specific individual words evident that nick clear stance view gatsby both before after death this pa
per will analyze words that uses during narration that express attitude towards first states didn wa
nt hear avoided when train page this statement refers taxi driver told numerous stories pertaining t
his quotation implies tired hearing same stories about great many which false most which superficial
thought have basis wants move instead brooding over past wants forget about existence spent saturda
y nights york because those gleaming dazzling parties were with vividly could still hear music laugh
ter faint incessant from garden cars going down drive page certain words quotation suggests sarcasti
c tone regarding those gleaming parties were with vividly could still hear music faint incessant dar
kened suggests sarcastic tone because categorizes parties class they have downbeat them makes reader
believe sympathize with gave such extravagant similar developed when narrator states someone front
steps probably some final guest been away ends earth didn know party over page statement emphasizes
notoriety issue regarding recent events occurred through remark means guest sardonic manner which mo
cks party guest knowing party over word some also creates deep negative feeling towards implies part
ygoers general people little consequence reference mansion huge incoherent failure house further sup
ports statement negative simply inferred from usage incoherent failure emphasizes more failure than
success clearly demonstrated immensity luxuries home contrasting displays passage sympathy exhibited
narrates following believed green light orgastic future year year recedes before eluded then matter
tomorrow will faster stretch arms farther fine morning ours along optimism create impression commis
erates relate optimistic outlook himself conclusion predominant mood illustrates sympathetic disappr
oval understands condemns lifestyle other hand seems understand problem holds more optimistic view t
omorrow thus distasteful attitudes outweigh supportive throughout course passage although there hint
sympathy connotation used create simply pessimistic viewEssay, essays, termpaper, term paper, termp
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