The Power of Perspective

凉拌折耳根

Nick's Journey from Reservation to Judgment in The Great Gatsby

Before reading The Great Gatsby in its original version, I had already watched the movie adaptation twice. It has become one of my favorite films, especially for its stunning visual moments. The scenes capture the excess of the Jazz Age to perfection — champagne splashing at parties, pools reflecting neon lights, pearl curtains swaying in the breeze. The colors are saturated but not chaotic, and even the play of light and shadow seems tangible, almost as if you could reach out and touch the era's fleeting glamour. I was curious about how these spectacular cinematic moments were described in the novel.

Today, I want to start by discussing one of the most intricate character designs — Nick.

Nick’s opening line, “I’m inclined to reserve all judgments,” reveals his unique narrative position of being both "in the midst of the story and yet apart from it." This stance is essential for the natural progression of the plot, providing an indispensable logical foundation. As Daisy’s cousin, Tom’s college friend, and Gatsby’s neighbor, Nick is already at the heart of the story’s relational network. His "reserve of judgment" earns him the trust of the key characters, which allows him to connect the scattered fragments of the plot. Without this advantage of acquiring information, these crucial scenes would lose their logical cohesion, leaving readers confused.

Nick’s perspective is so skillfully designed. It uses a limited viewpoint to create suspense by focusing on event details, while also employing a retrospective lens to integrate information, allowing readers to accept the unfolding narrative. This is built on his foundational principle of "not passing judgment too quickly."

Nick is not indifferent, however. On the contrary, he is in constant struggle. He "participates with restraint" but chooses silence, unwilling to shatter Gatsby’s illusion. This internal conflict propels the plot toward its inevitable tragedy.

At Gatsby’s funeral, those who flocked to his parties are conspicuously absent, leaving only a few to mourn. This scene becomes a sharp, silent critique of the seemingly glamorous society. At this point, Nick finally breaks his initial vow and angrily condemns Tom and Daisy, delivering his ultimate defense of Gatsby with, “They’re a rotten crowd… You’re worth the whole damn bunch put together.”

This transition from "reserve" to "judgment" is a thematic elevation. This narrative strategy of starting with suppression and ending with assertion sets the tone for the entire novel. The story closes its circle within the framework of "observation — understanding — judgment."