How Does Nick Carraway Change In The Great Gatsby

F. Scott Fitzgerald's novel The Great Gatsby revolves around the enigmatic, proud, and charming Jay Gatsby, as seen through the eyes of our seemingly unbiased narrator, Nick Carraway. Set in the Roaring Twenties, an era known for its lavish parties and carefree lifestyle, the story gradually reveals the complexities of the American Dream through Nick's point of view and his relationship with Gatsby. As the story progresses, we learn more about the American Dream and Jay Gatsby's true nature. Despite Gatsby’s enormous wealth and outstanding charm, Gatsby still has many insecurities, including a fear of abandonment, low self-esteem, and an unstable sense of self. These are all evident when we see him pursue Daisy Buchanon, his change from James Gatz to Jay Gatsby, and his fixation with Daisy Buchanon.

He organises extravagant parties and builds his entire life around the hope of rekindling their romance. Nick Carraway speaks about Gatsby's longing for the past, stating, "He talked a lot about the past, and I gathered that he wanted to recover something, some idea of himself perhaps, that had gone into loving Daisy" (Fitzgerald, 117). This quote highlights Gatsby's fear of losing Daisy again, as he did in the past, and his insecurity about maintaining her affection is more evident than ever. Additionally, Gatsby's readiness to take the blame for Daisy's actions during the accident emphasises his desperate desire to protect her, further illustrating his fear of losing her. Moreover, Gatsby's reaction to Tom Buchanan's confrontation also highlights his fear of abandonment. When Tom challenges Gatsby about his relationship with Daisy, Gatsby desperately asserts, "Your wife doesn't love you," said Gatsby quietly. She's never loved you. She loves