Nick and Gatsby
How is Nick and Gatsby's relationship presented in the first chapters of
'The Great Gatsby'?
In 'The Great Gatsby', the relationship shared between Nick and Gatsby could be argued that it is based on Nick's awe and admiration for Gatsby, however I believe that the motivations for their relationships is based on entirely different reasons for each individual. Nick's view towards Gatsby seems to be fuelled by his curiosity which has been spurred on by the various rumours he has heard, whilst Gatsby may have more complex reasons for befriending Nick.
One of the main obvious reasons that connect Nick and Gatsby is Nick's cousin Daisy. We learn that the reason why Gatsby first made contact with Nick was due to his relation to Daisy. This suggests that Gatsby is merely using Nick to get close to Daisy once again and that he possibly doesn't care about his 'friendship' with Nick. This is further supported when Gatsby announces to Nick that he has a 'big request of you today' implying that all he wanted was for Nick to reintroduce him to Daisy. It could be argued that if this were true, Nick had knowledge that his relationship with Gatsby was not genuine and that he was playing it to his advantage to. When Nick first mentions Gatsby in the opening pages of the book he describes Gatsby as someone with 'an extraordinary gift for hope'. Gatsby's actions are implied to be solely focused on his reunion with Daisy, supported by the symbolism of the green light at the end of her dock - The green light represented everything Gatsby desired and hoped for, his own American Dream. It can therefore be argued that Nick has at least some inclination of Gatsby's aims and plays along to help his own goal of learning the truth behind 'Gatsby'.
Another element within Nick and Gatsby's relationship is money and society. The contrast between the two characters and the world they live in are evident in the description of their houses. Whilst Nick lives in a small and modest house
'The Great Gatsby'?
In 'The Great Gatsby', the relationship shared between Nick and Gatsby could be argued that it is based on Nick's awe and admiration for Gatsby, however I believe that the motivations for their relationships is based on entirely different reasons for each individual. Nick's view towards Gatsby seems to be fuelled by his curiosity which has been spurred on by the various rumours he has heard, whilst Gatsby may have more complex reasons for befriending Nick.
One of the main obvious reasons that connect Nick and Gatsby is Nick's cousin Daisy. We learn that the reason why Gatsby first made contact with Nick was due to his relation to Daisy. This suggests that Gatsby is merely using Nick to get close to Daisy once again and that he possibly doesn't care about his 'friendship' with Nick. This is further supported when Gatsby announces to Nick that he has a 'big request of you today' implying that all he wanted was for Nick to reintroduce him to Daisy. It could be argued that if this were true, Nick had knowledge that his relationship with Gatsby was not genuine and that he was playing it to his advantage to. When Nick first mentions Gatsby in the opening pages of the book he describes Gatsby as someone with 'an extraordinary gift for hope'. Gatsby's actions are implied to be solely focused on his reunion with Daisy, supported by the symbolism of the green light at the end of her dock - The green light represented everything Gatsby desired and hoped for, his own American Dream. It can therefore be argued that Nick has at least some inclination of Gatsby's aims and plays along to help his own goal of learning the truth behind 'Gatsby'.
Another element within Nick and Gatsby's relationship is money and society. The contrast between the two characters and the world they live in are evident in the description of their houses. Whilst Nick lives in a small and modest house