Examples Of Ambiguity In The Great Gatsby

In the novel The Great Gatsby by F Scott Fitzgerald, the author insinuates Gatsby is a morally ambiguous character. Fitzgerald supports this claim by the description of Gatsby’s decisions, his words, and the way Nick describes Gatsby, resulting in a more complex and deeper story. Through the choices Gatsby has made, the words he used, and how Nick illustrates Gatsby, it is shown that he is an ambiguous character.

First, Gatsby’s choices and actions reveal his moral ambiguity. An example would be the decisions he’s made to become wealthy. Tom brings up that, “‘He and this Wolfsheim bought up a lot of side-street drug-stores here and in Chicago and sold grain alcohol over the counter. That’s one of his little stunts. I picked him for a bootlegger the first time I saw him, and I wasn’t far from wrong.’” (pg 133) During an argument between Tom and Gatsby, Tom shares with everyone that Gatsby is a bootlegger, and that is how he gets his

An example would be what he says in response to learning about Myrtle’s death. After Myrtle’s death, Gatsby asks, “‘Was she killed?’ ‘Yes.’ ‘I thought so; I told Daisy I thought so. It’s better that the shock should all come at once. She stood it pretty well.’” (pg 143) Gatsby finds out Myrtle has died from Nick and only seems to care how Daisy handled it. Gatsby’s lack of empathy towards Myrtle and concern for Daisy immediately makes him morally ambiguous because he cares for Daisy and helps her, but shows no concern or worry about what happened to Myrtle. This causes us to question what he thinks is right and wrong. An additional example would be his kind words to Nick. When Gatsby first met Nick he said, “‘If you want anything just ask for it, old sport,’ he urged me.” (pg 48) Gatsby is saying to Nick that he can help him with anything and depend on him. Gatsby shows he cares, but lies to everyone throughout the story, which makes him morally