In light of Gatsby's death and funeral preparations, a major shift in perspective occurs in the most prominent dynamic, round character, Nick Carraway. Earlier in the novel, Nick voiced his disapproval of Gatsby, disapproval that I did not share, because of his criminal activity or lack of compassion for Myrtle Wilson. Maybe Nick's distaste stemmed from some other source; I cannot really say because I did not understand it in the first place. However, upon realizing, when most people refuse to attend Gatsby's funeral, that he could be the only person offering Gatsby genuine affection, Nick "began to have a feeling of defiance, of scornful solidarity between Gatsby and me against them all" (Fitzgerald 165). Nick's indignation at the people surrounding Gatsby is completely justified. Gatsby offered all of them parties, entertainment, hospitality, altruistic care, sympathy, and compassion, but when it comes time to pay their respects to the great man, every single one of his guests chose to let him die alone. Not even Daisy could attend the funeral! The only man Nick successfully convinced of attending the funeral was a Mr. Henry C. Gatz, Gatsby's father. This develeopment allowed me to clear up confusion with an earlier section of Gatsby. James Gatz, the young reporter mentioned earlier in the book, was Jay Gatsby before he became the man he grew up to be. Gatsby's having a father, a father that displays great sorrow at seeing his perished son nonetheless, means that he does in fact have caring family members alive and well. Why did Gatsby lie about his family being dead and why have they been so out of touch? Just as Gatsby does not deserve to be abandoned in death, his family does not deserve to be abandoned in life.
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| Nick made a profound change in the way he viewed Gatsby. |
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