Who is the “Owl-Eyed Man” and what is he so fascinated by in Gatsby’s library?
Answer: The Owl-Eyed Man is a character from <em>the Great Gatsby</em>. He is fascinated because the books in Gatsby's library are real.
Explanation:
The Owl-Eyed Man is a character from Fitzgerald's novel <em>the Great Gatsby</em>. We never learn his real name, but we do find out that he is middle-aged and wears enormous owl-eyed spectacles.
Owl Eyes and Nick stumble across each other at Gatsby's party. Owl Eyes is surprised that the books in Gatsby's library are real. Since he knows that Gatsby is pretending to be someone he is not, he believed that Gatsby must have put cardboard imitations on the shelves. He is fascinated by the actual effort Gatsby put in projecting an image of himself. The Owl-Eyed Man knows that Gatsby is not being honest, but does not judge him for that. He even admires Gatsby for creating such a great illusion.
Could Fitzgerald be using him as a symbol for the concern he (Fitzgerald) had for the state of the “modern world” during the 1920’s?
Answer:
The novel is set in 1922, at the beginning of a decade known in the United States as ''the Roaring Twenties''. This time period was characterized by increased spending, new styles of dressing and new music genres. Back then, people rejected traditional values and spent time dancing and attending parties. Many Americans spent a fortune on expensive clothes.
Fitzgerald makes us see the world through the eyes of the "Owl-Eyed Man''. It could be argued that, in this way, he criticizes the state in the society in 1920s. People bought expensive goods only to impress other people. Instead of focusing on their inner happiness, it seems that people only cared about how others perceived them. This is particularly seen in Gatsby's character. Gatsby wants to present himself as an educated man who earned his wealth through hard work, even though he did not even graduate from Oxford, and only spent five weeks there. Moreover, it is possible that he was engaged in criminal activities, and thus earned the money. Although he feels empty inside, Gatsby wants other people to recognize his success and wealth.
Margaret’s message to John II in her letter of 28 October 1470 was how was she going in the country, that she had sold some 'dysshes, plateres, and sawceres' and that she send the money to him. She advised him to take into account how he spent the money. She encouraged him to be brave. She said that she thanked God for how God guided his way, but that he must take care. And she finished her letter with the following phrase:
'God make here a good wooman' (hoping that God helped her and made of her a good person)
"don't hesitate or allow yourself to make excuses, just get out and do it. just get out and do it! you will be very, very glad that you did"
He chased him around with a newspaper and a stick and forced him back into his room.
