Life Isn't Black and White. It's a Million Gray Areas... Characters with perfect morals are difficult to come by in a well written book, such as the Great Gatsby. Moral ambiguity not only makes the work more interesting, but adds a sense of realism to it as well. One of the many characters that could be described as morally ambiguous is none other than Jay Gatsby himself. Fitzgerald created Gatsby as a morally ambiguous character to add to the mystery behind him. One of the first monologues of Nick leads us to believe that Gatsby is an exceptional character, “If personality if an unbroken series of successful gestures, then there was something gorgeous about [Gatsby].” (p. 2) Next, we are told that Gatsby is extremely wealthy, “On week-ends his Rolls-Royce became an omnibus, bearing parties to and from the city between nine in the morning and long past midnight…” (pg. 39) We see Gatsby’s parties, his immense wealth, and his seemingly heart of gold, “When I was here last I tore my gown on a chair, and [Gatsby] he asked me my name and address -- inside a week I got a package from Croirier’s with a new evening gown in it.” (p. 42) Gatsby didn’t have to replace her gown, nor should he have to, but he did. …show more content…
“I’ll bet he’s killed man...he was a German spy during the war…” (p.44) This suggests the Gatsby may not be the man we previously thought. Secrets and rumors present a sort of equivocal mist surrounding Gatsby. His secretive nature makes the reader wonder if he has something he wishes to hide. Which nudges the reader into believing that Gatsby may not truly be made of