How Does Scott Fitzgerald Create a Reliable Narrator in the Opening of the Novel?
In The Great Gatsby, F. Scott Fitzgerald seemingly establishes an honest and reliable narrator named Nick Carraway at the beginning of the novel. In the opening chapter, Nick is presented as a loyal man with high morals. Fitzgerald wants us to see Nick as a reliable person whose moral judgment the readers can trust. If we can trust the narrator, then we believe in the story.
Nick Carraway wants the reader to think his upbringing gave him the moral character to observe others and not pass judgment on them. If this were true he would be a reliable narrator. A hint to Nick's true moral character is given on the first page of the novel when he misunderstands his father's advice. His father said, "Whenever you feel like criticizing anyone just remember that all the people in this world haven’t had the advantages you’ve had.” This quotation demonstrates that he has an optimistic mind and that he is wise as he uses his Father’s advice who happens to be a veteran meaning he is rather wise. By not passing judgment on people, this means that he does not give out first impressions which can obviously lead to negative things and are never reliable. People would not trust Nick if he gave out first impressions as they mean nothing and it does not prove anything. The advise which he has been turning in his head ever since illustrates that he is reliable for the fact he doesn’t judge people without knowing their inner qualities.
In the opening chapter, Nick describes some qualities that he possesses which make him a reliable narrator. He describes himself as someone whose story we are likely to believe. It seems often that his values are pretty close to those of a politician. “I was unjustly accused of being a politician because I was privy to the secret griefs of wild, unknown men.” This illustrates trust at the highest level. Politicians in the 20th century were much respected and were known to have high morals – they were people that everyone could believe and trust. People
Nick Carraway wants the reader to think his upbringing gave him the moral character to observe others and not pass judgment on them. If this were true he would be a reliable narrator. A hint to Nick's true moral character is given on the first page of the novel when he misunderstands his father's advice. His father said, "Whenever you feel like criticizing anyone just remember that all the people in this world haven’t had the advantages you’ve had.” This quotation demonstrates that he has an optimistic mind and that he is wise as he uses his Father’s advice who happens to be a veteran meaning he is rather wise. By not passing judgment on people, this means that he does not give out first impressions which can obviously lead to negative things and are never reliable. People would not trust Nick if he gave out first impressions as they mean nothing and it does not prove anything. The advise which he has been turning in his head ever since illustrates that he is reliable for the fact he doesn’t judge people without knowing their inner qualities.
In the opening chapter, Nick describes some qualities that he possesses which make him a reliable narrator. He describes himself as someone whose story we are likely to believe. It seems often that his values are pretty close to those of a politician. “I was unjustly accused of being a politician because I was privy to the secret griefs of wild, unknown men.” This illustrates trust at the highest level. Politicians in the 20th century were much respected and were known to have high morals – they were people that everyone could believe and trust. People