The Great Gatsby
Prompt #29 · The Great Gatsby
Prompt Type: Relationship/Contrast
Analyze the relationship between Nick Carraway and Jay Gatsby. How does Fitzgerald use their bond to explore themes of loyalty, judgment, and the complexity of the American Dream? Explain how it contributes to the meaning of the work as a whole.
Quote 1
“No—Gatsby turned out all right at the end; it is what preyed on Gatsby, what foul dust floated in the wake of his dreams that temporarily closed out my interest in the abortive sorrows and short-winded elations of men.”
Chapter 1
Argument
This quote represents Nick's early judgment of Gatsby, contrasting his initial scorn with his eventual loyalty, highlighting the complexity of their relationship and the corrupting influence of the American Dream.
Quote 2
“When the butler brought back Wolfshiem's answer I began to have a feeling of defiance, of scornful solidarity between Gatsby and me against them all.”
Chapter 9
Argument
This quote demonstrates Nick's late-stage loyalty to Gatsby, standing in solidarity against the moral decay of others, revealing the depth of their bond despite Gatsby's flaws.
Quote 3
“He put his hands in his coat pockets and turned back eagerly to his scrutiny of the house, as though my presence marred the sacredness of the vigil. So I walked away and left him standing there in the moonlight—watching over nothing.”
Chapter 7
Argument
This quote captures Gatsby's isolation and Nick's conflicted role as observer, illustrating the tension between Gatsby's dream and Nick's growing disillusionment with the American Dream's emptiness.
Quote 4
“Everyone suspects himself of at least one of the cardinal virtues, and this is mine: I am one of the few honest people that I have ever known.”
Chapter 3
Argument
This quote reveals Nick's self-perception as an honest observer, which contrasts with his growing loyalty to Gatsby, illustrating the tension between his initial judgment and his eventual emotional investment in Gatsby's flawed dream.
Quote 5
"They're a rotten crowd," I shouted across the lawn. "You're worth the whole damn bunch put together."
Chapter 8
Argument
This quote represents Nick's ultimate loyalty to Gatsby, defending him against the moral corruption of others, and underscores the depth of their bond despite Gatsby's tragic pursuit of the American Dream.