Consider the Narrator's Role in the Great Gatsby
Paper 2: Essay
Question 1. Consider the Narrator’s role in The Great Gatsby.
Norman Ng 5.17 Philippians
Mentor: Mr. Greg Stanta
Abstract The Great Gatsby is a novel based on the American Dream set in the 1920s when there was an economic boom and people were at liberty to climb social classes and determine their futures. The influx of money allowed many Americans to get rich quick and live their dreams and craft their own future. Their backgrounds hardly mattered as long as they worked hard and were clear on what they wanted. This age was termed by F. Scott Fitzgerald as the Jazz Age where parties and social events were the norm. The pursuit of happiness left many disillusioned about reality and what others perceived of them. Fitzgerald capitalized on this and exposed it in his novel when he portrayed various characters and their ideas.
Introduction The novel is seen as a recount by a character Nick Carraway and is more of a reflection of past events by him with occasional afterthoughts and background information filled in by Nick himself explaining the events and the possible thought processes of the characters themselves. This gives the reader a semi-omniscient perspective because they are able to read Nick’s thoughts whilst seeing the events unfold as the story progresses. The character himself hardly voices his opinion to the others and remains mostly neutral with his interaction with the others. However, his thoughts are reflected at times and the reader is able to get a stance, which Nick takes in pertinence to an issue in the novel.
There are times, however when the reliability of the recount is at question because Nick after all, plays a part in the novel itself. Perhaps he has an objective to glorify certain people and their actions or maybe he has omitted certain events from the reader. Because he does not directly take part in pivotal discussions or activities, he is seen as a bystander who does not interfere much with the events
Question 1. Consider the Narrator’s role in The Great Gatsby.
Norman Ng 5.17 Philippians
Mentor: Mr. Greg Stanta
Abstract The Great Gatsby is a novel based on the American Dream set in the 1920s when there was an economic boom and people were at liberty to climb social classes and determine their futures. The influx of money allowed many Americans to get rich quick and live their dreams and craft their own future. Their backgrounds hardly mattered as long as they worked hard and were clear on what they wanted. This age was termed by F. Scott Fitzgerald as the Jazz Age where parties and social events were the norm. The pursuit of happiness left many disillusioned about reality and what others perceived of them. Fitzgerald capitalized on this and exposed it in his novel when he portrayed various characters and their ideas.
Introduction The novel is seen as a recount by a character Nick Carraway and is more of a reflection of past events by him with occasional afterthoughts and background information filled in by Nick himself explaining the events and the possible thought processes of the characters themselves. This gives the reader a semi-omniscient perspective because they are able to read Nick’s thoughts whilst seeing the events unfold as the story progresses. The character himself hardly voices his opinion to the others and remains mostly neutral with his interaction with the others. However, his thoughts are reflected at times and the reader is able to get a stance, which Nick takes in pertinence to an issue in the novel.
There are times, however when the reliability of the recount is at question because Nick after all, plays a part in the novel itself. Perhaps he has an objective to glorify certain people and their actions or maybe he has omitted certain events from the reader. Because he does not directly take part in pivotal discussions or activities, he is seen as a bystander who does not interfere much with the events