A Simple Analysis of Tthe Great Gatsby

How do we perceive a novel? What influences our impressions of certain characters? Many literary critics would agree that choosing the correct point of view is critical in developing the plot and character of any piece of writing. Quite simply, point of view can be described as the role of the narrator in the story; is the person telling the story as a detached observer, or is he or she actually involved in the events? A narrator who is not involved in the plot may be placed into one of two categories, the first being third person, while the second category is known as omniscient narration. Third person narration deals with events in an objective manner, with no comment on motives. This method has been compared to the “fly on the wall” who sees events but cannot comprehend there significance. The second manner of detached narration, omniscient, is able to reveal the thoughts and motivations of characters, whether it be one, or many. As mentioned before, there is another type of narrator, one who eventually participates in the novel’s events. This is known as narration in the first person. Easily recognized by the use of the word “I”, it involves interpretation of the novel’s events through an active participant, the narrator. This brings a definition of types of point of view, but why does a writer choose a specific viewpoint? An answer may be found by examining the strengths of each option. Narration in third person is useful because it brings objectivity to a novel. The reader’s impression of characters is not clouded by the narrator’s perception. Unfortunately, the reader is never given direct insight into the thoughts or motivations of any of the characters. This leaves the reader to find his own theme in the novel. If the author desires a stronger direction, omniscient narration overcomes this hurdle by obviously showing intentions and motives. However, this power to manipulate characters often tempts the author to editorialize; many modern critics have argued “that the author should be less in evidence and more willing to let us interpret the story ourselves.” (Burnet, 88) This leaves us with first-person narrative, which is easiest for the author to write, yet as in essay writing, use of the word “I” tends to allow the reader to dismiss the character’s feelings. It allows for total insight into the character, yet this reliance on one individual for information will likely result in a biased view. Therefore, when one examines point of view, the writer must be aware of what he wants his story to accomplish, and how he would like his character to be perceived. The reader is then responsible for examining the effect of the chosen view and its effect on the novel’s character. Point of view is an element which has evolved only recently, for it is only with the advent oft the modern novel that its use has been examined. It is this base which F. Scott Fitzgerald built upon in his American classic The Great Gatsby. Fitzgerald uses first-person narrative in an attempt to illustrate the character flaws which many individuals refuse to acknowledge within themselves. The narrator, Nick Carraway, attempts to portray himself as an individual of definite opinion, a calm observer, and a prisoner to the truth. However, the course of the novel eventually proves that Carraway’s portrayal actually conflicts with his actions, eventually causing him to change. Since Nick Carraway is the only character in the novel who seems to undergo a moral change, he is a logical choice for narrator. The presence of irony is predominant throughout The Great Gatsby. This irony is even present in the title, for it could be argued that Jay Gatsby is less than great. Irony, which is the difference between what is stated or implied and what is actually true is also apparent in Nick Carraway. Quite often Nick will make a statement, only to later contradict himself. Very early in the novel, Nick describes Gatsby by saying “there was something gorgeous about him.” (2) However, he states in the same paragraph that “Gatsby....represented everything for which I have an unaffected scorn.” Nick has similar conflicting feelings towards the Buchanans, for he “is repulsed by the Buchanans droit de seigneur and their moral carelessness, he is attracted by their nobility and their heightened life.” (Lehan, 109) When Tom states that whites are deservedly the dominant race, Nick says that “there was something pathetic in his concentration” (14) Despite this disdainful view, Nick sees that Daisy exudes “a whispered �Listen’, a promise that she had done gay, exciting things just a while since and that there were gay and exciting things hovering in the next hour.” (9-10) Nick is mesmerized by this, and says about Tom, almost wishfully, “while we were never intimate I always had the impression that he approved of