Exploring Nick Carraway's Role: Why Is He the Moral Compass of 'The Great Gatsby'?

What is the main point of Nick Carraway's character? Unpacking the Truth

Nick Carraway's Role as the Narrator

Well, if you've read The Great Gatsby, you know that Nick Carraway is the one telling the story. But have you ever really stopped to think about why Fitzgerald chose him as the narrator? I mean, it's not like Nick is the most exciting character on the surface. Honestly, when I first read the novel, I wondered why Nick didn’t just fade into the background, but as I went deeper into the text, it became clear: Nick is a lens. His primary function is to guide the reader through the world of Gatsby and the other characters, offering an outsider's perspective.

You see, Nick is more of an observer than a participant. His neutrality gives him a unique role—he’s detached but deeply affected by what he witnesses. Through his eyes, we understand the complexity of the other characters, especially Gatsby himself. But there’s more to Nick than just being a passive observer, and that's what I want to dig into.

The Role of Nick as a Moral Compass

Nick’s Values and the Concept of the American Dream

Honestly, Nick Carraway is one of those characters who serves as a moral compass for the story, although it’s not always clear-cut. He’s raised in the Midwest with strong values of decency and honesty, but when he gets to New York, he’s surrounded by corruption, wealth, and excess. It’s fascinating because Nick doesn’t completely abandon his moral code—he’s consistently disappointed by the people around him, especially Gatsby, who represents the idealistic pursuit of the American Dream.

But here's the thing: Nick’s judgment of Gatsby and others evolves. At first, he admires Gatsby’s vision and idealism, but later, he sees the emptiness behind the façade. I remember discussing this with a friend last week. We were both confused about why Nick seemed to respect Gatsby, despite everything. It’s because, in a way, Nick is caught between the allure of Gatsby’s dreams and the realization that those dreams are ultimately flawed.

The Dilemma of Integrity in a Corrupt World

Honestly, this is where Nick's character becomes a bit of a struggle. He’s stuck in the middle of the extravagance and lies of the East Egg and the more grounded, yet equally flawed, West Egg. On one hand, you want him to stand firm in his Midwestern values, but on the other hand, he's constantly exposed to the corruption that comes with wealth. Nick is often disillusioned by what he sees, but he doesn’t completely abandon his principles.

It’s something I’ve struggled with in my own life, too—finding that balance between staying true to your core values and the temptation of the material world around you. Nick constantly wrestles with this dilemma, and in many ways, that struggle defines him.

Nick’s Relationship with Gatsby: Admiration and Disillusionment

The Mystery of Gatsby

Actually, the most fascinating part of Nick’s character is his relationship with Gatsby. At the beginning, Nick is almost in awe of Gatsby. He’s captivated by his charm, his larger-than-life personality, and the mystery surrounding him. But as the story progresses, Nick realizes that Gatsby’s greatness is only skin deep.

I can’t help but feel a bit like Nick when it comes to my own experiences with people who seem perfect at first. You know the type—everything about them looks amazing from the outside, but the closer you get, the more cracks you start to see. It’s a bit like Nick’s growing disillusionment with Gatsby: he admires Gatsby’s ability to dream big but can’t ignore the lies and corruption that underlie those dreams.

The Tragic End of Gatsby’s Dream

Now, Nick's perspective on Gatsby’s death is where the true weight of his character comes to light. He’s deeply affected by Gatsby’s tragic end, but what stands out is his sense of finality about the American Dream. Nick realizes that Gatsby’s dream—just like the dream of many others—was never going to come true. Gatsby was chasing something unattainable, and in the end, it’s Nick who has to come to terms with this. It’s a harsh realization, one that I think many of us have to face at some point in life.

I’ve had conversations with friends about how Gatsby's dream parallels some of our own youthful aspirations, the ones that seem possible when we're younger but become harder to grasp as we get older. Nick’s disillusionment with Gatsby’s dream is, in a way, a reflection of our own experiences with growing up and confronting reality.

Nick Carraway’s Character: More Than Just a Narrator

Nick as an Outsider

In many ways, Nick Carraway’s character is defined by his outsider status. He’s not part of the glamorous world of the East Egg, nor is he entirely part of the more humble world of West Egg. This position makes him perfectly placed to observe and report without being emotionally invested in the lives of the other characters.

Yet, as the story unfolds, Nick becomes more involved in the lives of those around him, especially Gatsby. His outsider perspective allows him to remain somewhat detached, but it also makes him reflect deeply on the consequences of the choices people make.

Nick’s Final Judgment

At the end of the novel, Nick’s ultimate judgment of Gatsby and the world he inhabited is one of disillusionment and loss. He’s no longer enamored with the idea of the American Dream or the glitz of New York. Instead, he returns to the Midwest, where he seeks simplicity and values that are less tainted by corruption. Honestly, I think this return to the Midwest represents Nick’s desire to reclaim what was lost—his sense of morality and hope.

Conclusion: What Is the Main Point of Nick Carraway’s Character?

To wrap it up, Nick Carraway serves as the moral center of The Great Gatsby, though his understanding of right and wrong is constantly challenged throughout the novel. He’s both an observer and a participant, caught between admiration and disillusionment. Through Nick, Fitzgerald critiques the American Dream and the corruption of wealth, showing that the pursuit of happiness can often lead to emptiness.

Nick’s character may seem passive at times, but the complexity of his emotions and his reflections make him much more than just a narrator. He’s a lens through which we see the flaws of the characters and the world they inhabit—making his perspective, in my opinion, the most crucial to understanding the novel as a whole.

Is 165 cm normal for a 15 year old?

The predicted height for a female, based on your parents heights, is 155 to 165cm. Most 15 year old girls are nearly done growing. I was too. It's a very normal height for a girl.

Is 160 cm too tall for a 12 year old?

How Tall Should a 12 Year Old Be? We can only speak to national average heights here in North America, whereby, a 12 year old girl would be between 137 cm to 162 cm tall (4-1/2 to 5-1/3 feet). A 12 year old boy should be between 137 cm to 160 cm tall (4-1/2 to 5-1/4 feet).

How tall is a average 15 year old?

Average Height to Weight for Teenage Boys - 13 to 20 Years

How to get taller at 18?

Staying physically active is even more essential from childhood to grow and improve overall health. But taking it up even in adulthood can help you add a few inches to your height. Strength-building exercises, yoga, jumping rope, and biking all can help to increase your flexibility and grow a few inches taller.

Is 5.7 a good height for a 15 year old boy?

Generally speaking, the average height for 15 year olds girls is 62.9 inches (or 159.7 cm). On the other hand, teen boys at the age of 15 have a much higher average height, which is 67.0 inches (or 170.1 cm).

Can you grow between 16 and 18?

Most girls stop growing taller by age 14 or 15. However, after their early teenage growth spurt, boys continue gaining height at a gradual pace until around 18. Note that some kids will stop growing earlier and others may keep growing a year or two more.

Can you grow 1 cm after 17?

Even with a healthy diet, most people's height won't increase after age 18 to 20. The graph below shows the rate of growth from birth to age 20. As you can see, the growth lines fall to zero between ages 18 and 20 ( 7 , 8 ). The reason why your height stops increasing is your bones, specifically your growth plates.