Nick's Point Of View Of The Great Gatsby

Even though Nick is not the main character of The Great Gatsby, he narrates the story in first person. He allows the reader to understand how he thinks and feels during each scene of the novel. Fitzgerald’s writing style includes imagery and metaphors which Nick expresses. His point of view influences the characters in the story, and we learn more about Nick throughout his narration. Experiencing Nick as the narrator of The Great Gatsby is important because he allows the reader to observe events through his thoughts and feelings while including the perspectives of other characters.
Continuously throughout the book, Nick tries to understand Gatsby and his morals. He witnesses many scenarios and situations with Gatsby. During events such as the

Nick reveals Gatsby’s nervousness based on his body language. Nick also recognizes that Gatsby is embarrassed so he tells Gatsby, “‘You’re acting like a little boy,” I broke out impatiently.” (Fitzgerald 66). Gatsby tries to tell himself that meeting Daisy again was a mistake, but Nick calms him and puts Gatsby back in place. Since Gatsby admires Daisy so much, he acts nervous and shies around her at first. It is important to have Nick present in this scene because he describes to the reader not only what Gatsby is saying, but also his body language. His body language is consistent throughout the novel which displays parts of Gatsby's personality. Furthermore, when Nick describes Gatsby’s actions, he foreshadows how Gatsby will act throughout the course of the novel. According to The Great Nick: Performing Authorial Masculinity in The Great Gatsby, Onderdonk mentions, “Where Nick observes both Daisy’s ideal appeal and her embodied unworthiness, Gatsby naively confuses his dream with Daisy the material object.” (206). It is crucial to experience Nick as the narrator in this scene because he analyzes Gatsby's behavior while conveying his feelings towards

Nick invited guests such as Daisy, Tom, and Meyer Wolfsheim. Nick shows the reader that he cares about Gatsby and tried to invite people so that the funeral would be special. According to the Great Gatsby, Nick states, “Nobody came.” (Fitzgerald 172). The emptiness of the funeral didn’t surprise Nick since Gatsby didn’t have many close friends. Nick felt obligated to make it right because he was the only loyal friend Gatsby had. This scene of the novel displays irony because everyone always went to Gatsby’s parties but when it came to his funeral, they didn't care enough to even show up. The one person who showed up beside Nick was in fact Gatsby’s father. Nick is able to finally meet him, and his father shows Nick Gatsby’s handwritten self-improvement goals and schedule. Nick’s narrative reveals to the reader a different side of Gatsby and he allows the reader to view his emotions toward Gatsby after his death. As stated in The Great Nick: Performing Authorial Masculinity in The Great Gatsby, “Nick’s exclusive apprehension of Gatsby’s contradictory and tragic meanings is emphasized by several moments of intense identification and sympathy in the narrative, by his fidelity after Gatsby’s death and social abandonment, and especially by his lonely, lyrical outburst at the end of the novel.” (Onderdonk 197). Nick's emotions are especially important at the end of the novel