(1) “A sense of the fundamental decencies is parceled out unequally at birth.” (Chapter 1)
When the main character of The Great Gatsby, Nick Carraway, was a child his father gave him the advice not to be judgmental of people who were not born into the same privileges as he was. This is the advice that he prides himself in living with. The words of his father have guided in him in his decision to move to New York as well as the way he treats others. His thoughts regarding others however always seem to start off as a judgment and then he has to be reminded of what his father told him. In other words, thinking in this manner does not come easily to him. (Words: 111)
(2) “Reserving judgments is a matter of infinite hope.” (Chapter 1)
Nick finds himself however losing his ability not to judge others in the West Egg. He finds out that living there is difficult for his values and he begins to stray away from his morals in the first chapter, although, there is “infinite” hope for him to not judge others. This sentence is short but effective because this is how Nick bases his everyday life on. He uses the word “hope” to promote the belief in a positive outcome related to events and circumstances in his life. The sentence is simple, as is his lifestyle and what he tries to accomplish with his social ability. (Words: 105)
(3) “I’m inclined to reserve all judgments, a habit that has opened up many curious natures to me and also made me the victim of not a few veteran bores.” (Chapter 1)
The author continues to mention that Nick reserves his judgments and prides himself in being an open minded and decent person for his values. Although he is challenged in living in New York because many of the inhabitants of East Egg and West Egg use an outward show of wealth to cover up their inner dishonesty and moral deterioration. Nick’s description of his life in New York likewise calls attention to the difference between material things and appearance, as it stresses both the extravagant glamor of the city and its dangerous lack of stability. The two classes that border each other create an unsteady feel to the society. (Words: 110)
(4) “Only Gatsby, the man who gives his name to this book, was exempt from my reaction — Gatsby, who represented everything for which I have an unaffected scorn.” (Chapter 1)
Here the author shows that Gatsby undoubtedly poses a challenge to Nick’s customary ways of thinking about the world, and Nick’s struggle to come to terms with that challenge transforms everything in the novel. Gatsby seems to use his resources to disguise something profound in his life, unlike the rest of the town that uses their money and objects to hide their inner sorrows. Nick is drawn to Gatsby because of his mysterious charm and politeness and he is interested in knowing the truth about Gatsby and can therefor overlook his initial thoughts about him. Gatsby is almost like the exception to Nick’s rule. (Words 104)
(5) “It made no difference to me. Dishonesty in a woman is a thing you never blame deeply — I was casually sorry, and then I forgot.” (Chapter 3)
Nick feels similarly conflicted about Jordan. He realizes that she is dishonest, selfish, and cynical, but he is attracted to her strength nevertheless. Their potential relationship highlights the extent to which Nick becomes accustomed to life in the East, leaving behind his Midwestern values and concerns in order to take advantage of the excitement of his new surroundings. This is very contradictory to his original goal in Chapter one, and it also seems contradictory for him to not “blame” Miss Baker for her dishonest. Living in the East has changed him not only with his thinking but with his morals. (Words 100)
