Inside The Great Gatsby

TGG by Matilde Marquez

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Blog Post #5 Jay Gatsby

February 3, 2025 /

Jay Gatsby is the main character in F. Scott Fitzgerald’s classic novel, The Great Gatsby. He’s depicted as a wealthy, enigmatic, and hopeful guy whose life is consumed by his intense love for Daisy Buchanan, a woman he has idolized for years. Gatsby stands out with his striking looks, including tan skin and short hair, which only adds to his mysterious charm. A true dreamer, he has big ambitions that showcase his relentless chase of the American Dream. Living in a lavish mansion on Long Island, Gatsby’s home represents his newfound wealth and social standing. Even though he throws extravagant parties, he often feels like a lonely figure, not really engaging in the celebrations happening around him. His love for Daisy drives everything he does, as he strives to win her heart and prove he’s deserving of her love. What makes Gatsby even more fascinating is his secretive past and how he came into his wealth. Originally named James Gatz, he grew up in a struggling farming family in North Dakota and reinvented himself into a key player among the elite of Long Island. There are whispers that he built his fortune through shady dealings, like bootlegging during Prohibition. Gatsby’s obsessive quest for Daisy and his efforts to craft a perfect image of himself are key themes in the story. He represents the idea of the “self-made man,” but his tragic flaws and the impossibility of his dreams ultimately lead to his demise. His journey and ambitions propel the narrative, making him a captivating and multi-dimensional character who embodies the contradictions of the American Dream.

“So we beat on, boats against the current, borne back ceaselessly into the past.” Jay Gatsby

This quote from “The Great Gatsby” really captures who Gatsby is. It shows him as someone who’s desperately trying to move forward in life but is constantly held back by his past. You can think of it like a boat struggling against a strong current, trying to push ahead but getting dragged back by memories and regrets. Gatsby’s life is deeply tied to his obsession with Daisy, the love he lost and longs to get back. This obsession drives him but also leads to his downfall, which is why he’s often described as being “borne back ceaselessly into the past.” The repetition of this phrase highlights how he can’t escape his history, making his quest feel tragic and pointless as he tries to outrun what’s already happened.

Blog Post #1: Nick Carraway

January 27, 2025 /

I talk about the words and actions Nick Carraway does in The Great Gatsby.

Nick Carraway, the narrator of “The Great Gatsby,” is frequently perceived as a somewhat unreliable, yet an “honest” Observer of the East Coast’s wealthy and morally compromised society. He portrays himself as a detached observer attempting to make sense of his surroundings while professing to withhold judgment. However, his narration ultimately exposes his own biases and vulnerabilities. Despite his self-proclaimed honesty, readers are prompted to scrutinize his viewpoint, as he is profoundly influenced by the events and individuals he interacts with, especially his relationship with Jay Gatsby

Nick often claims he’s “one of the few honest people” he knows, which is a significant aspect of his character and plays a crucial role in how he wants others to perceive him. He believes that his integrity sets him apart in a world filled with deceit. However, readers frequently find themselves questioning this assertion due to the biased nature of his storytelling and his active involvement in the surrounding drama. His perspective often seems skewed, leading to doubts about his reliability as a narrator. This contrast between his self-perception and the reality depicted in the narrative raises important questions about honesty, perception, and the complexities of human nature.

Key Quotes:

“I was privy to the secret griefs of wild, unknown men. Most of the confidences were unsought—frequently I have feigned sleep, preoccupation, or a hostile levity when I realized by some unmistakable sign that an intimate revelation was quivering on the horizon.“ Nick Carraway

Nick shares his thoughts right at the start of the novel, and what he says hints at what’s to come. The whole tale he’s about to tell stems from his role as a confidant to two very different guys, Tom Buchanan and Jay Gatsby. The clash between these two leads to some serious fallout, leaving Nick stuck in the crossfire. This situation sheds light on why, as he mentions in the next line, he now does everything he can to steer clear of other people’s secrets. Showing in the beginning that was he honest.

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I talk about the words and actions Nick Carraway does in The Great Gatsby.

Nick Carraway, the narrator of "The Great Gatsby," is frequently perceived as a somewhat unreliable, yet an "honest" Observer of the East Coast's wealthy and morally compromised society. He portrays himself as a detached observer attempting to make sense of his surroundings while professing to withhold judgment. However, his narration ultimately exposes his own biases and vulnerabilities. Despite his self-proclaimed honesty, readers are prompted to scrutinize his viewpoint, as he is profoundly influenced by the events and individuals he interacts with, especially his relationship with Jay Gatsby

Nick often claims he's "one of the few honest people" he knows, which is a significant aspect of his character and plays a crucial role in how he wants others to perceive him. He believes that his integrity sets him apart in a world filled with deceit. However, readers frequently find themselves questioning this assertion due to the biased nature of his storytelling and his active involvement in the surrounding drama. His perspective often seems skewed, leading to doubts about his reliability as a narrator. This contrast between his self-perception and the reality depicted in the narrative raises important questions about honesty, perception, and the complexities of human nature.

Key Quotes:

“I was privy to the secret griefs of wild, unknown men. Most of the confidences were unsought—frequently I have feigned sleep, preoccupation, or a hostile levity when I realized by some unmistakable sign that an intimate revelation was quivering on the horizon.“

Nick shares his thoughts right at the start of the novel, and what he says hints at what's to come. The whole tale he’s about to tell stems from his role as a confidant to two very different guys, Tom Buchanan and Jay Gatsby. The clash between these two leads to some serious fallout, leaving Nick stuck in the crossfire. This situation sheds light on why, as he mentions in the next line, he now does everything he can to steer clear of other people's secrets. Showing in the beginning that was he honest.

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