Question

How does hearing about Gatsby through the point of view of his guests impact the readers view of Gatsby and his guests?

Answer 1

Answer: It becomes obvious for the readers that Gatsby's guests like to spread gossips about him, but the readers do not take those rumors so seriously.

Explanation:

Although people attend Gatsby's parties, they often spread rumors about him. His guests discuss the means of acquiring his wealth, often implying that Gatsby is a criminal. In Chapter II, Myrtle and her sister mention that rumor has it that Gatsby got his money from Kaiser Wilhelm, who is his relative. This makes Gatsby suspicious and dangerous in the eyes of a reader, implying that he is hiding something. In this light, when Gatsby is shot and killed by George Wilson, his guests probably believe that this is what he deserves. However, as for the readers, they are probably not convinced that easily that Gatsby is a negative character. Despite the rumors, they recognize his unconditional love for Daisy and his generosity, which makes it unlikely that he is engaged in criminal activities.