How_Does_Fitzgerald_Tell_the_Story_in_Chapter_1_-_Great_Gatsby

Write about some of the ways Fitzgerald tells the story in Chapter 1 We are introduced to one Nick Carroway almost as soon as the book commences, and from first glance, its obvious that Fitzgerald is telling the story from the future. Furthermore, Nick explains to us that his Father was a judgemental man, however he is in fact not. Despite telling us this he goes on to rudely describe his father and friends alike in a very judgemental way himself. By telling the story as though it has already occurred, Fitzgerald has created the illusion that his protagonist has already experienced the events that are unfolding. This ensures that Nick is a retrospective narrator throughout the book, as well as a somewhat bias story teller. Nick has also already met these people, and formed his own personal judgements of them, meaning that he is going to act as a bias narrator, giving out perhaps inaccurate information to the reader. The chapter also outlines a few aspects of Nicks life in New York when he lived there in 1922 and his life in West Egg. The purpose of the chapter is to mainly introduce the characters of the book and set a tone for the rest of the book (e.g. ideas of social class, characterisation of Gatsby). The chapter is also crucial in conveying the relationship between Tom and Daisy Buchanan to the reader. Furthermore, the housing that is presented makes a huge statement about the sort of wealth that is being thrown around in terms of class. This is due to the fact that Nick's home, an inexpensive rental looks very poor in comparison to Daisy and Tom's home which is an ancient representation of old money. This is seen with Gatsby as well, as his house is a huge, fake mansion which is merely purchased in order to fit in with people's idealisation of Gatsby. Not only does this ostentatious manor present Gatsby's new wealth, but it also creates a symbol for his personality, in that as I said he simply purchases all of these items in order to create a big-shot alias for himself. As it's said further on in the novel, Gatsby cannot marry Daisy, as he is still poor. However as soon as he finds all of this wealth, he purchases a huge house and a ridiculous car in order to show off his money. And although this was probably assumed from most readers, I believe that this is because he is doing everything he can to prove to Daisy how rich he has become, and now that he drives a stupid car and wears odd suits he is finally worthy of her. Therefore this is why I believe Fitzgerald has created this over the top and showy life for Gatsby, in order to over demonstrate how hard Jay is trying. The audience already know that Nick is new into this lifestyle, and that he is not particularly wealthy within his own devices. However I think it's clear from the start that Nick will have to change his personality also in order to fit in with his peers. This is due to the fact that w hen Nick leaves the Buchanans’ house, he is “confused and a little disgusted.”. And this is aimed at the attitude Daisy has towards Tom's evident promiscuity. He's confused as to why Daisy doesn’t simply leave Tom and find someone else, but as I said he has yet to adjust to the mind set of the rich and stupid. This is done well by Fitzgerald however, as it gives Nick a sense of lower status in comparison to his friends in that before he becomes involved them he must first adjust his personality. Not only does this work on a human level, but it also reveals more about Nick's character as he explained how genuine and non-judgemental he is, although he acts completely fake in front of these friends he has made. [The likes of which can also be deemed as fake]. Some readers are irritated by Nick Carraway as a narrator. What is your view of Nick' As a narrator, I like Nick Carroway. Although he has more than one clear flaw, I believe that there is good in him, and that he exercises this particularly from the penultimate chapter onwards. Of course he has his downfalls, and sometimes he doesn’t always do the right thing, but isn’t that a common trait of all of us' I think that the reason some readers are irritated by the narrator is due to the fact that they see a piece their selves in Nick. Allow me to explain. "Whenever you feel like criticizing any one...just remember that all the people in this world haven't had the advantages that you've had." - This in my opinion is the first case of Fitzgerald pointing towards the reader and asking them to talk a look at themselves. This is because of the fact that we all judge our friends, our family, and other members of community in our mind, but we do not all have the courage to come out and say it. And although Nick does no explain his opinions to his friends, the sole point of his book is to outline the life and times of Jay Gatsby, meanwhile giving personally accurate descriptions of the people involved. And of course we cannot trust him completely because of his bias toward his dear Gatsby, but I think that in a way Nick can be considered reliable because of his own personal opinions that aren’t held back, he merely says what is on his mind. While Nick is fundamentally a pretty honest guy when first we meet him, it doesn’t mean that he’s always a very nice one. He’s skilled in the art of getting along with everyone in public and rather sassily analysing them in private (that is, to us, his readers). Nick may be polite and easy to get along with on the outside, but he’s not afraid to tell it like it is. Nick still seems to see himself as a good Midwestern boy with high standards for everyone he meets, including himself, and prides himself on maintaining his standards, even in the corrupt, fast-moving world of East coast high society. Nick ultimately realizes that he has no place in West Egg or in New York, in the callous, judgmental, and fast-moving East; unfortunately, we have to wonder if he can really go back home again, after seeing what he has seen. Though he used to believe that you couldn’t turn back the clock and return to the past, Nick’s perspective has changed: his neighbour Gatsby is gone. Tom and Daisy are gone. Jordan Baker is gone. Nick's greatest fear –' that he will be alone –' has come true.
' In saying this, I think that Nick is a very real and genuine character, and that Fitzgerald has created an accurate depiction of the average american man. He isn’t born to old money, and isn’t born in to new money, he’s just born into a regular family, making his own judgements. Even though Nick can be considered a closet hypocrite. And even though he claims to be appalled and disgusted by the vulgarity of the super-rich posing & cheating that goes on, it fascinates him, and he can't just walk away. And I think that this is where Fitzgerald has tapped into the human mind. I refuse to believe that you can hate Nick. He's just a boy who's trying to fit in with the big kids. And although it ultimately ends in disaster, it isn’t as if he walks away empty handed. He sees it through and arranges his friends funeral, he calls up his Father, and puts the whole episode to bed. I like Nick, and I think that there's a piece of Nick in all of us.