The Great Gatsby, widely known for its extravagant character, Jay Gatsby, and his unending romantic endeavor, does not revolve around the man inscribed in the title, but rather around Nick Carraway, the narrator. As every well-rounded protagonist should, Nick Carraway takes readers through his journey of development and discovery. As the storyline unfolds and Gatsby remains the same, chasing the past, Nick evolves, forming new ideas and opinions. After parting ways in 1917, Gatsby becomes determined to rekindle his romance with Daisy. Throughout the book, Gatsby’s decisions are influenced by his desire to relive his past with Daisy. After moving within close proximity of Daisy, Gatsby continues his quest by using Nick as a reopening into …show more content…
Upon his arrival, wide-eyed Nick Carraway is intrigued by the wealth and prestige of the nearby East Egg. Nick describes his excitement of his living conditions with the line “...so I had a view of the water, a partial view of my neighbor’s lawn, and the consoling proximity of millionaires-- all for eighty dollars a month” (5). Nick is originally fascinated by the upscale lives of his prosperous neighbors and finds excitement in their close proximity. However, as the book progresses and Nick familiarizes himself with many of his neighbors, he discovers the carelessness that has stemmed from their privilege. Nick specifically notes the carelessness of Tom and Daisy Buchanan who are partly responsible for the death of Gatsby. Nick states, “They were careless people, Tom and Daisy -- they smashed things and creatures and then retreated back into their money or their vast carelessness,” (179). By the end of the novel, Nick realizes that Tom, Daisy, and many other residents of the East Egg have no appreciation for anyone or anything in their lives. Nick fulfills his role of the protagonist, taking the reader on his journey from fascination to