The Great Gatsby Nick Carraway Selfish

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“I am one of the few honest people that I have ever known” (Fitzgerald 30). Nick Carraway in The Great Gatsby said this about himself after he saw how dishonest people were. Nick is a 30 year old man in 1920s New York. He is a bond salesman and lives in a small cottage on West Egg. Nick has a wealthy cousin that he visits throughout the book, and a wealthy neighbor he becomes best friends with, Jay Gatsby. The readers will see that throughout the book he is a big third wheel or as some say a wingman. He tries his best to stay out of his friends' disagreements, but always seems to be stuck in between. Nick Carraway’s social locations in 1920s New York society as an older, singlish, and middle class status influence his actions. Nick’s age influences him to want to go home rather than spending time with his friends. In a discussion with Tom Buchanan, his friend said, “Won’t you come in, Nick?” “No, thanks.” I was feeling a little sick and I wanted to be alone” (Fitzgerald 69). Nick had just spent an exhausting day …show more content…

Nick stated, “I’m inclined to reserve all judgments…” (Fitzgerald 3). Nick started narrating The Great Gatsby by describing what his father had taught him growing up. He tries his best to not judge people without really knowing them or what they came from. Stereotypically, people who are in the middle class tend to be more understanding and do not judge based on how much money a person has. Nick is a part of the middle class which is one of the reasons he is nonjudgmental. He grew up having to work harder to get what he wanted. Nick was not so poor that he was worried he would not eat, but he did have to work in order to take care of himself. He was not handed an inheritance like the ‘old money’ people. Therefore, Nick’s class status causes him to be nonjudgmental and open minded towards people no matter their