Nicks Evolving Perceptions of Gatsby in Fitzgeralds The...

The line of attack we use in order to identify individuals around us is an intriguing thing. Our perception is forever shifting, forever building, and affected not only by the person’s actions, but by the actions of those around them. In Scott F. Fitzgerald’s novel The Great Gatsby Nick Caraway’s perception of Jay Gatsby is always changing. All the way through the novel, Nick’s perception of Gatsby changes from him perceived as a rich chap, to a man that lives in the past, to a man trying to achieve his aspirations but has failed. At the beginning of the book Nick sees Gatsby as a mysterious shady man. In the beginning of the chapter Nick somewhat resents Gatsby. In Nick’s opinion Gatsby was the representation of â€Å"†¦everything for†¦show more content†¦What he finds out, however, is the final thing he anticipated- Gatsby is in love with his cousin, Daisy. When Gatsby reveals to about his relationship with Daisy, Nick’s re lationship with Gatsby takes a full u-turn as it rapidly advances their association from simple acquaintances to close friends. Nick’s outlook of Gatsby undergoes a similar transformation. When Nick learns of the previous relationship between Gatsby and Daisy, Gatsby’s actions make sense to Nick. The mansion, the extravagant parties, and the green light were all in the efforts for making Daisy notice him. Gatsby lives his life for the past life that he lived. He spends his life seeking the attention of his love, Daisy, and as Nick explains, â€Å"He wanted to recover something, some idea of himself perhaps, that had gone into loving Daisy. His life had been confused and disordered since then, but if he could once return to a certain starting place and go over it all slowly, he could find out what that thing was†¦Ã¢â‚¬  (Fitzgerald 110). Gatsby sought out the American dream in order to win over the love of Daisy which creates a different perception of himself to Nick. Nick, now knowing Gatsby’s intentions worries about Gatsby’s possible rejection, and then warns him that, â€Å"[he] wouldn’t ask too much of her, you can’t repeat the past.† (Fitzgerald 110) But Gatsby, blinded by love, strives to win Nick’s married cousin’s heart. Nick perceives Gatsby as a man dwelling on the pastShow MoreRelatedViews of Entitlement in the Great Gatsby1596 Words   |  7 PagesThe Great Gatsby as Fitzgerald’s explanation of an American Reality which contradicts the American Dream That was always my experience—a poor boy in a rich town; a poor boy in a rich boys school; a poor boy in a rich mans club at Princeton.... However, I have never been able to forgive the rich for being rich, and it has colored my entire life and works.   —F. Scott Fitzgerald: A Life in Letters, ed. Matthew J. Bruccoli. New York: Scribners, 1994. pg. 352. The Great Gatsby, by F. ScottRead MoreA Critique Of The American Dream2151 Words   |  9 PagesEnglish III 21 April 2015 A Critique of the American Dream In F. Scott Fitzgerald’s, The Great Gatsby, the story takes place during a historical time in America as veterans had just arrived from World War I and societal culture was beginning to change. Through Nick Carraway’s storytelling, we learn more about the Roaring 20’s and its extravagance. During this era, profound economic and social change occurred, characterized by the great wealth that circulated among the citizens of the United States. VariousRead MoreWindows In The Great Gatsby Analysis1879 Words   |  8 PagesIn The Great Gatsby by F. Scott Fitzgerald is the story of the eccentric millionaire Jay Gatsby as told by Nick Carraway that depicts the lifestyle of the rich contrasted with the poor. The depiction of life throughout the 1920s grasps the atmosphere of the era unmasking the characters underlying emotions and beliefs regarding their roles and needs throughout the novel. The perception of characters changes due to the differing lenses that appear in situations, that shape the outlook from the characters