Fictional Phenom
One of the most brilliant things about humans and characters alike, is that not one is exactly the same as the other. Each person, character, holds specific characteristics that make each of them different, even if by a meer amount. Within their work, authors develop these intriguing, intricate characters that are all distinct in their own ways. Nick Carraway, from the novel The Great Gatsby, is certainly no exception. Author F.
Scott Fitzgerald is able to elaborately create the character of Nick in a way that’s captivating and vastly unique, a development that sets him apart from the rest within the world of books. One thing that every single person strives for in life is the extravagance that comes with copious amounts of money. When people come in close proximity to such elegance, it is almost an immediate reaction for them to try and match it or absorb as much of it as they possibly can while it lasts. However, this isn’t the case with Nick Carraway. One thing that sets Nick apart from just about every character and every human being is that he doesn’t allow himself to become blinded by the glitz and glamour that the people surrounding him have, even though he holds the desire to be one of them. He doesn’t allow his aspirations to outweigh his moral beliefs, and that’s a quality that very few possess.
Most others ignore what it is their conscience is trying to tell them. But Nick uses his conscience as motivation for the lifestyle he lives and for the decisions he’s forced to make. He holds his wits about himself, and firmly believes in what he deems as morally right. Carraway is self-perceived as honest and level-headed. He believes himself to be this person that reserves judgement. Yet, throughout the entire course of the book, Nick is consistently judging everyone around him.
He serves as a sort of focal point within the plot of the story, even so while remaining in the background, making his situation one that is entirely unique. Seeing that he has two roles within the plot of the story, Carraway then reveals himself to be the contrary of everything that he first, and insistently, claimed to be. He sincerely believes that he’s this honest person that reserves his judgement toward those that he is surrounded by. However, through his narration, Nick stands in the background of what is brought to light, judging the decisions the other characters make and the situations they’re in, thus revealing this obliviously hypocritical side of himself. After having come to New York with the main intention of making some sort of fortune within the stocks, Nick goes on to judge those that are affluent, in spite of the fact that Nick came to New York to be one of them in the first place.
It’s stereotypical for characters within works of fiction to become completely engulfed in the idea of fortune or a secondary character within the story that’s being told. It’s stereotypical for the guy to get the girl, for the girl to get the guy. Hardly do we ever see a male protagonist become utterly infatuated with another male within the story. With Nick Carraway, another thing that makes him so diverse compared to so many other characters that are known, is that he is remarkably obsessed with Jay Gatsby. Throughout the story, Nick is constantly judging those around him, but he seems to reserve his judgement the most when it’s in regards to Gatsby.
The infatuation he has for Jay is brilliantly unique. Gatsby seems to be the only person throughout the entire story that makes Nick question his moral senses and personal integrity, with just about anything. In truth, it’s actually Gatsby that heightens Nick’s personal integrity. It’s blatantly shown when Gatsby dies and Nick falls into this downward spiral that ends with a total depletion of his mental stability. At that moment, the severity of Nick’s infatuation is revealed, and it’s what ultimately breaks him.
Nick Carraway exceeds the stereotypical characters that are often found within fictional pieces of work. He is hypocritical and shows this through the roles he takes on both the forefront, and the back burner. He isn’t marveled by fortune but disgusted with it despite his desire to obtain it. He’s besotted with the idea of Jay Gatsby, and that’s something that’s very rarely found between fictional characters. Nick is somewhat of a “froot loop in a bowl of cheerios”, and he’s a character that could never be replicated, no matter how hard someone tried.
