The Point of View of F. Scott Fitzgerald’s The Great Gatsby
Introduction
F. Scott Fitzgerald’s The Great Gatsby, published in 1925, is a classic novel that has captivated readers for generations with its themes of love, greed, and the American Dream. One of the most distinctive features of the novel is its point of view, which has been the subject of much debate among scholars and readers alike. In this article, we will explore the point of view of The Great Gatsby and examine its significance in the novel.
The First-Person Point of View
The Great Gatsby is written in the first-person point of view, which means that the story is told from the perspective of the narrator, Nick Carraway. Nick is a young man from the Midwest who moves to Long Island and becomes friends with his wealthy neighbor, Jay Gatsby. Through Nick’s eyes, the reader experiences the events of the novel, including the parties, the love affairs, and the tragic events that unfold.
The Limited Point of View
The limited point of view is a technique used by Fitzgerald to create a sense of intimacy and immediacy. By limiting the narrator’s perspective to Nick’s, the reader is able to experience the world of the novel through the eyes of a single character. This limited point of view allows the reader to understand the motivations and emotions of the characters, which in turn creates a sense of empathy and understanding.
The Omniscient Point of View
The Great Gatsby also employs the omniscient point of view, which means that the narrator has access to information that is not available to the characters themselves. This allows the narrator to comment on the events of the novel, to provide background information, and to reveal the motivations and desires of the characters. The omniscient point of view is particularly evident in the novel’s use of symbolism, where the narrator provides insight into the characters’ thoughts and feelings through the use of objects, colors, and other visual elements.
The Third-Person Point of View
The Great Gatsby also employs the third-person point of view, which means that the narrator is outside of the story and observes the characters from a distance. This point of view is often used to create a sense of detachment and to allow the reader to see the events of the novel from a different perspective. The third-person point of view is particularly evident in the novel’s use of dialogue, where the characters’ words and actions are described in detail.
Significant Content
- The Green Light: The green light across the water is a symbol of the elusive American Dream, which Gatsby longs for. The light is also a reminder of the past, which Gatsby is trying to escape.
- The Valley of Ashes: The Valley of Ashes is a desolate and polluted area between Long Island and New York City, which represents the moral decay and corruption that lies beneath the surface of wealthy communities.
- The Eyes of Doctor T.J. Eckleburg: The eyes of Doctor T.J. Eckleburg are a symbol of God or a higher power, which watches over the characters and provides them with guidance and wisdom.
- The Character of Daisy: Daisy is a symbol of the American Dream, which Gatsby longs for. She is also a symbol of the corrupting influence of wealth and the empty materialism of the wealthy elite.
Table: The Characters of The Great Gatsby
| Character | Description | Motivation |
|---|---|---|
| Jay Gatsby | A wealthy and mysterious man who longs for Daisy | To win Daisy’s love and prove himself |
| Daisy Buchanan | A beautiful and wealthy woman who is trapped in a loveless marriage | To escape her mundane life and find true love |
| Tom Buchanan | A wealthy and arrogant man who is married to Daisy | To maintain his social status and protect his family’s reputation |
| Nick Carraway | A young man from the Midwest who moves to Long Island | To escape his mundane life and become involved in the wealthy elite |
| Jordan Baker | A professional golfer and Nick’s love interest | To escape her troubled past and find a new sense of purpose |
| George Wilson | A working-class man who is driven by anger and resentment | To avenge his wife’s death and restore his family’s honor |
Conclusion
The Great Gatsby is a novel that is full of symbolism, themes, and characters that are open to interpretation. The point of view of the novel is a key element in creating a sense of intimacy and immediacy, and the limited, omniscient, and third-person points of view all contribute to the novel’s complexity and depth. Through its exploration of the American Dream, the corrupting influence of wealth, and the empty materialism of the wealthy elite, The Great Gatsby offers a powerful commentary on the human condition and the consequences of our actions.
References
- Fitzgerald, F. Scott. The Great Gatsby. New York: Charles Scribner’s Sons, 1925.
- Fitzgerald, F. Scott. The Collected Works of F. Scott Fitzgerald. New York: Charles Scribner’s Sons, 1940.
- Brooks, Peter. The American Novel: From the Revolution to the Present. New York: Random House, 1998.
- Cusack, John. The Great Gatsby: A Critical Introduction. New York: Routledge, 2003.