Great Gatsby :: essays research papers

Pride in the Great Gatsby Adam Bussey English IIIA, Period 3 5/26/99 Adam Bussey Mrs. Forchion English IIIA, Period 3 26 May 1999 Outline Thesis: F. Scott Fitzgerald uses Nick Carraway in the Great Gatsby to analyze pride and its effects in a man’s life. I. Nick tells the reader about his background and family history. II. Nick Carraway’s interactions between the many characters in the novel show a reflection of pride. A. Interactions between Tom and Nick show examples of pride. B. Interactions between Gatsby and Nick show examples of pride. C. Interactions between other minor characters show pride throughout the novel. III. Discussions arise that give Nick certain biased or critical opinions, these opinions reflect his pride and other people’s opinions reflect it as well. A. Discussions about money and other financial issues help flesh out the idea of pride. B. Discussions about social situations and interactions between certain couples show Nick’s conce rn over his pride. 1. Nick talks or discusses the relationship between Tom and his mistress. 2. Nick discusses the relationship between Tom and his mistress. 3. Nick talks about the relationship between Gatsby and Daisy. Adam Bussey Mrs. Forchion English IIIA, Period 3 26 May 1999 Pride in the Great Gatsby Pride. The dictionary defines it as â€Å"quality or sate of being proud; an unreasonable opinion of one’s own superiority over others; and as the reflection of this quality in disdainful or arrogant behavior.† Many people experience different kinds of pride. Some show off, others reflect their family’s history with powerful pride. Pride can also effect a man in many different ways. It could show a person to be shallow, concerned or important, for example. A novel is a good way of showing one’s own interpretation of pride. F. Scott Fitzgerald uses Nick Carraway in the Great Gatsby to analyze pride and its effects in a man’s life. F Scott Fitzgera ld told the story of The Great Gatsby through the eyes of its humble and quiet narrator, Nick Carraway. The novel starts out, simply enough, with Nick detailing his background. This itself was the beginning of Fitzgerald showing pride in the novel. Nick started by telling about something his father said, â€Å"Just remember that all the people in the world haven’t had the advantages you’ve had.†(5) Right away the author is establishing the pride of the narrator. His father has instilled in him the idea that he is better than others and above them with this advice.