Who Is Nick Carraway A Foil In The Great Gatsby

Writing About The Great Gatsby

Throughout Fitzgerald's novel, The Great Gatsby, the pursuit of the American Dream is a dominant theme, the characters and their actions especially illustrate the superficiality of the 1920s. The narrator Nick Carraway, initially appears to be a foil to the materialistic society as he is a reliable narrator. His strengths such as his honest and humble nature set him apart from others. However, as the story unfolds, his true colors are revealed. Though Nick claims to be the only honest person he knows, it is apparent that he is not completely honest with himself. Overtime, he begins to realize the disillusionment of the American Dream and the impact it begins to take on his lifestyle. Fitzgerald’s critique reveals

He attempts to be non-judgemental, as his father taught him, “Whenever you feel like criticizing anyone, just remember that all people in this world haven’t had the advantages that you’ve had (?).” His personality attracts people to confide in him and tell him secrets. He is perceived as someone who respectively listens to others and is “within and without”- involved in the other characters lives but distanced from them (?). An example of this is seen through his experiences at Gatsby’s parties. The first time he attends one of his parties, he had never met Gatsby before. He feels uneasy and uncomfortable as he wants to introduce himself to the host. Ironically, all most of the other people at the party were not invited and gossip about Gatsby. His strengths to see through the illusion of class and materialism allow the reader to view him as reliable. Fitzgerald carefully constructs Nick’s character to capitalize the corruption of the upper class. The reader would not believe the story if it were told from the perspective of any other character. The formulation of Carraway contributes to the impact of Fitzgerald’s commentary as his honest and humble nature foil that of the other

His association and participation with the society illustrate his inability to remain true to himself. Nick tells the reader is he is the only honest person he knows, yet it becomes evident that he is not completely honest with himself. This is evident in the way in which he views himself. For example, he explains his family background, “My family have been prominent, well-to-do people in the middle-western town for three generations” giving the reader the impression that he is wealthy. This is revealed to be an exaggeration, as his father could only support him for a year at college and he professes that he is too poor to marry. He declares that he is “descended from the Dukes of Buccleuch,” but it turns out that his grandfather's brother immigrated here, implying that he does not in fact come from nobility. Additionally, his ethics are challenged as he participates in the society that he judges. Although he claims to be nonjudgmental, he actively stereotypes and even asserts sexist remarks. When describing Jordan’s tendencies to lie and cheat he explains, “It made no difference to me. Dishonesty in a woman is a thing you never blame deeply — I was casually sorry, and then I forgot” (?). His relationship with Jordan reveals his unconscious change in character as he begins to become careless. As he