The role of Nick Carraway as the narrator of The Great GatsbyIn The Great Gatsby F. Scott Fitzgerald presents a specific portrait of American society during the Roaring Twenties and tells the story of a man who rises from poverty to great wealth. This man, Jay Gatsby, does not realize that his newfound wealth cannot give him the privileges of class and status. Nick Carraway, from a prominent Midwestern family, tells the story. Nick presents himself as a reliable narrator, when in reality several events in the novel demonstrate that he is an unreliable narrator. Although Nick Carraway may be an unreliable narrator, he is the best narrator in the novel because he creates the correct effect. Nick Carraway wants the reader to think that his upbringing gave him the moral character to observe others and not judge them. If this were true he would be a reliable narrator. A hint at Nick's true moral character is given on the first page of the novel when he misunderstands his father's advice. His father said, "Whenever you feel like criticizing someone, remember that all the people in this world have not had the advantages that you have had." Clearly his father was telling him the importance of not criticizing others, but Nick interprets this as judging others (Donaldson 131). This shows how Nick's upbringing has actually made him a judgmental snob towards others. It is not partial; he judges and condemns almost all the characters in the novel. He says that Tom Buchanan has "straw hair, a hard mouth, an arrogant manner, and a cruel body with which he pushes people around." Daisy Buchanan is described as insincere and snobbishly thinks that "she has been everywhere, seen everything and done everything". Myrtle Wilson says... middle of paper... distorts everything. Nick has a soft spot for Jay Gatsby because Gatsby has the courage to chase his dreams. Gatsby represents the American dream; he has risen from the gutter to fabulous wealth and has the chance to chase the girl he loves. However, he can never have her because he doesn't have the same class or status as Daisy.Works CitedDaley, Linda. The Great Gatsby website. July 16th 2000., 1998. 147 - 51.