Question

Describe the gradual revelation of Gatsby’s character. What do we learn about him and when? Why is this an appropriate way of learning about him?

Answer 1

Answer:

Gatsby is something of an enigma for the beginning of the novel. It isn't until Nick and Daisy fit into the scene that Gatsby's character slowly comes out.

Explanation:

"The Great Gatsby" is a novel by American author F. Scott Fitzgerald. The story is narrated from a first-person perspective by Nick. He is Jay Gatsby's neighbor and Daisy's - Gatsby's love interest - cousin. At first, Gatsby is an enigma to Nick and, consequently, to readers as well, since we only know what is narrated by him. However, as soon as Gatsby realizes Nick is related to Daisy, his character begins to be slowly revealed.

We get to know about Gatsby's made-up story of his past in Chapter 4. He claims to be the inheritor of his parents' fortune, to have traveled the world, and to have attended Oxford. He even has a real picture to prove it. However, even though he did attend Oxford, it was for only five months as it was an opportunity given to some army officials. Gatsby takes half-truths and embellishes them to make his life more impressive. He's ashamed to have grown up poor.

Gatsby's true story is told in Chapter 6 as per Nick's decision. He could have told it later, in Chapter 8, when Gatsby told him the story, following the real chronology of events. He chooses to do it earlier because he doesn't want readers to misjudge Gatsby. And it works. We get to know how poor and ambitious Gatsby was as a child, how meeting Daisy made him work even harder for fortune and a chance to be with her, how his criminal choices were all made with a pure heart.