Assignment 106 - UNRELIABLE NARRATION IN "THE GREAT GATSBY"

 

This Blog Is Part Of An Assignment For The Paper 106 -The Twentieth Century Literature: 1900 To World War II

Unreliable Narration In "The Great Gatsby"

Table Of Contents:-

• Personal Information
• Assignment Details
• Abstract
• Keywords
• Introduction
• Background On Unreliable Narration
• Narrator In "The Great Gatsby"
• Instances Of Unreliable Narration In "The Great Gatsby"
• Impact Of Unreliable Narration On Themes
• Character Development Through Unreliable Narration
• Conclusion
• References

Personal Information:-

Name:- Akshay Nimbark

Batch:- M.A. Sem 2 (2023-2025)

Enrollment Number:- 5108230029

E-Mail Address:-akshay7043598292@gmail.com

Roll Number:- 02

Assignment Details:-

Topic:-Unreliable Narration In "The Great Gatsby"

Paper & Subject Code:-106-The Twentieth Century Literature: 1900 To World War II

Submitted To:- Smt. Sujata Binoy Gardi, Department Of English, Mkbu, Bhavnagar

Date Of Submission:- 26 April 2024

Abstract :

This Assignment Delves Into The Use Of Unreliable Narration In F. Scott Fitzgerald's "The Great Gatsby." Through The Eyes Of Narrator Nick Carraway, We Explore How His Biases And Perspectives Shape The Story's Themes And Characters. We Analyze Instances Of Unreliable Narration, Such As Nick's Idealization Of Jay Gatsby And His Biased Views Of Other Characters Like Tom And Daisy Buchanan. Unreliable Narration Adds Depth To The Novel, Prompting Us To Question Truth, Perception, And Morality. Ultimately, "The Great Gatsby" Serves As A Timeless Exploration Of Human Nature And The Illusions That Define Us.

Keywords : 

Unreliable Narration, "The Great Gatsby", Nick Carraway, Illusion Vs. Reality, Characterization, Perspective.

Introduction :

Brief Overview Of "The Great Gatsby"

"The Great Gatsby," Written By F. Scott Fitzgerald And Published In 1925, Is A Quintessential American Novel That Explores Themes Of Wealth, Class, Love, And The Pursuit Of The American Dream. Set In The 1920s, The Story Is Narrated By Nick Carraway, A Young Man Who Moves To Long Island's Affluent West Egg To Pursue A Career In Finance. Through Nick's Eyes, Readers Are Introduced To The Enigmatic Jay Gatsby, A Wealthy And Mysterious Figure Who Throws Lavish Parties In Hopes Of Winning Back His Lost Love, Daisy Buchanan. As The Narrative Unfolds, Layers Of Deception, Desire, And Disillusionment Are Revealed, Culminating In Tragedy.

Definition Of Unreliable Narration

Unreliable Narration Is A Literary Device In Which The Credibility Of The Narrator Is Compromised, Either Intentionally Or Unintentionally, Resulting In A Narrative That May Distort Or Misrepresent Events, Characters, Or Themes. This Narrative Technique Challenges Readers To Question The Reliability Of The Information Presented And Invites Deeper Analysis Of The Story's Complexities. Unreliable Narration Can Manifest In Various Forms, Such As Bias, Omission, Or Outright Falsehoods, Ultimately Enriching The Reader's Engagement With The Text By Encouraging Critical Interpretation.

Thesis Statement: Exploring The Use Of Unreliable Narration In "The Great Gatsby" And Its Impact On The Story's Themes And Characters

In "The Great Gatsby," F. Scott Fitzgerald Employs The Technique Of Unreliable Narration Through The Perspective Of Nick Carraway, The Novel's Narrator. This Essay Will Delve Into The Instances Of Unreliable Narration In The Novel, Examining How Nick's Biases, Perceptions, And Omissions Shape The Reader's Understanding Of The Story's Themes And Characters. By Exploring The Interplay Between Truth And Illusion, Perception And Reality, This Analysis Aims To Illuminate The Profound Impact Of Unreliable Narration On The Narrative Depth And Thematic Resonance Of "The Great Gatsby."

Background On Unreliable Narration:

"Fight Club" By Chuck Palahniuk: The Unnamed Narrator Of "Fight Club" Suffers From Dissociative Identity Disorder, Leading To Unreliable Narration As He Struggles To Distinguish Between His Own Identity And That Of His Alter Ego, Tyler Durden.

Definition And Characteristics

Unreliable Narration Is A Narrative Technique Where The Credibility Of The Narrator Is Compromised, Leading Readers To Question The Accuracy Or Truthfulness Of The Story Being Told. This Unreliability Can Stem From Various Factors, Such As The Narrator's Limited Perspective, Personal Biases, Psychological State, Or Deliberate Deceit. Characteristics Of Unreliable Narration Include Inconsistencies In The Narration, Contradictions Between The Narrator's Words And Actions, And The Presence Of Subjective Interpretations Or Interpretations Colored By The Narrator's Beliefs And Emotions.

Purpose And Effects On Storytelling

The Purpose Of Employing Unreliable Narration In Literature Is Multifaceted. Firstly, It Adds Complexity And Depth To The Narrative By Presenting Multiple Layers Of Interpretation. By Casting Doubt On The Reliability Of The Narrator, Readers Are Encouraged To Engage Critically With The Text, Questioning The Truth Behind The Events And Characters Portrayed. This Engagement Enhances The Reader's Immersion In The Story And Fosters A Deeper Exploration Of Its Themes And Motifs.

Furthermore, Unreliable Narration Can Serve Thematic And Philosophical Purposes Within A Text. It Challenges Notions Of Objective Truth And Highlights The Subjective Nature Of Perception, Memory, And Storytelling. Through The Lens Of An Unreliable Narrator, Authors Can Explore Themes Of Illusion Versus Reality, The Fallibility Of Human Perception, And The Ambiguity Of Moral Judgment.

In Terms Of Storytelling Effects, Unreliable Narration Can Create Suspense, Tension, And Ambiguity, Keeping Readers Guessing About The True Nature Of The Story's Events And Characters. It Can Also Contribute To The Development Of Unreliable Or Morally Complex Characters, Adding Layers Of Intrigue And Psychological Depth To The Narrative.

Examples Of Unreliable Narration In Literature

Unreliable Narration Is A Prevalent Literary Device Found In Works Across Various Genres And Time Periods. Examples Of Unreliable Narration In Literature Include:

"The Catcher In The Rye" By J.D. Salinger: The Protagonist And Narrator, Holden Caulfield, Is Known For His Unreliable Narration Due To His Cynical Worldview, Selective Memory, And Tendency To Embellish Or Distort Events.

"Lolita" By Vladimir Nabokov: Humbert Humbert, The Narrator Of "Lolita," Is An Unreliable Narrator Whose Account Of His Obsession With A Young Girl Is Colored By His Delusions, Rationalizations, And Manipulation Of The Reader's Sympathy.

"Fight Club" By Chuck Palahniuk: The Unnamed Narrator Of "Fight Club" Suffers From Dissociative Identity Disorder, Leading To Unreliable Narration As He Struggles To Distinguish Between His Own Identity And That Of His Alter Ego, Tyler Durden.

Narrator In "The Great Gatsby":

Introduction To Nick Carraway As The Narrator

In "The Great Gatsby," Nick Carraway Is The One Telling Us The Story. Originally From The Midwest, He Moves To New York To Work In Finance. He Rents A Modest Home In West Egg, A Wealthy Area Neighboring The Extravagant Mansion Of Jay Gatsby. Nick Comes Across As A Straightforward And Observant Guy Who Values Honesty And Decency.

Initial Portrayal Of Nick's Reliability

Initially, Nick Seems Like A Reliable Narrator. He Shares His Background And Values, Highlighting His Midwestern Upbringing, Which Suggests A Down-To-Earth Perspective. His Job In Finance Also Adds To His Credibility. He Talks About His Admiration For Gatsby's Ambition And Dislikes The Shallow Behavior Of The Wealthy.

Evidence Of Nick's Unreliability

As The Story Unfolds, We Start To Question Nick's Reliability. He Seems Overly Fond Of Gatsby, Making Him Out To Be More Heroic Than He Might Actually Be. Also, Nick's Opinions About Certain Characters Change. For Instance, He First Criticizes Tom And Daisy But Later Seems To Understand And Sympathize With Them. This Inconsistency Makes Us Wonder If Nick Is Seeing Things Clearly. It Adds Depth To The Story, Making Us Think Harder About What's Really Happening And Why.

Instances Of Unreliable Narration In "The Great Gatsby":

Nick's Idealization Of Jay Gatsby

Nick's Admiration For Gatsby: Nick Holds Gatsby In High Regard, Seeing Him As A Symbol Of Ambition And Self-Made Success. He Admires Gatsby's Determination To Win Back Daisy And His Ability To Create An Extravagant Lifestyle. However, This Admiration Might Lead Nick To Overlook Or Downplay Gatsby's Flaws And Questionable Actions.

Contradictions In Gatsby's Character: Despite Nick's Admiration, There Are Contradictions In Gatsby's Character That Nick May Not Fully Acknowledge. Gatsby Is Depicted As Charming And Generous, Yet His Pursuit Of Wealth And Status Involves Shady Dealings And Deceit. Nick's Reluctance To Fully Recognize These Contradictions May Stem From His Idealized View Of Gatsby.

 Nick's Romanticization Of The Past

Nostalgia And Idealization Of The Jazz Age: Throughout The Novel, Nick Reflects On The Jazz Age With Nostalgia And Romanticism, Portraying It As A Glamorous And Exciting Era. He Reminisces About The Parties, The Music, And The Sense Of Freedom, Creating An Idealized Image Of The Past. However, This Idealization Overlooks The Darker Aspects Of The Jazz Age, Such As The Materialism And Moral Decay That Underlie The Glittering Facade.

Discrepancies In Nick's Memories: Nick's Romanticized View Of The Past May Lead To Discrepancies In His Memories. He Recalls Events And Interactions Through A Nostalgic Lens, Which May Distort The Reality Of What Actually Occurred. This Selective Memory Contributes To The Unreliability Of His Narration, As It Reflects His Subjective Interpretation Of The Past Rather Than An Objective Recounting Of Events.

Nick's Biased Perspectives On Other Characters

Judgments Of Tom Buchanan And Daisy Buchanan: Nick's Opinions Of Tom And Daisy Buchanan Are Colored By His Biases And Personal Experiences. He Initially Criticizes Tom For His Arrogance And Infidelity And Views Daisy As A Victim Of Tom's Callousness. However, As The Story Progresses, Nick's Perspectives On The Buchanans Become More Nuanced, Reflecting His Evolving Understanding Of Their Motivations And Complexities.

Justification Of Gatsby's Actions: Nick Often Justifies Gatsby's Actions, Portraying Him As A Tragic Figure Driven By Love And Idealism. He Sympathizes With Gatsby's Relentless Pursuit Of The American Dream And Overlooks The Moral Ambiguity Of His Methods. This Biased Perspective Aligns With Nick's Admiration For Gatsby And His Desire To See The Best In People, But It Also Contributes To The Unreliability Of His Narration By Downplaying Gatsby's Flaws.

These Instances Of Unreliable Narration In "The Great Gatsby" Highlight The Complexity Of Nick Carraway As A Narrator And Invite Readers To Question The Veracity Of His Accounts. By Exploring Nick's Biases, Idealizations, And Subjective Interpretations, Readers Gain Insight Into The Nuanced Portrayal Of Characters And Themes In The Novel.

Impact Of Unreliable Narration On Themes:

Illusion Vs. Reality

Examination Of The Facade Of The American Dream: Unreliable Narration In "The Great Gatsby" Prompts Readers To Question The Authenticity Of The American Dream Portrayed In The Novel. Nick's Idealization Of Gatsby And His Pursuit Of Wealth And Status Highlight The Illusionary Nature Of The American Dream, Emphasizing The Gap Between The Promise Of Success And The Reality Of Moral Compromise And Disillusionment.

Contrast Between Appearance And Truth: Through Nick's Unreliable Narration, The Novel Explores The Contrast Between Outward Appearances And Inner Truths. Characters Present Themselves In Certain Ways To Project An Image Of Success And Happiness, But Nick's Narrative Reveals The Hidden Flaws And Insecurities Beneath Their Facades. This Discrepancy Between Appearance And Truth Underscores The Theme Of Illusion Versus Reality, Challenging Readers To Look Beyond Surface Impressions.

Perception And Deception

Exploration Of Characters' Perceptions Vs. Reality: Unreliable Narration In "The Great Gatsby" Sheds Light On The Subjective Nature Of Perception And The Potential For Deception. Nick's Biased Perspectives And Selective Observations Influence How Characters Are Perceived By Readers, Blurring The Lines Between Truth And Interpretation. The Novel Invites Readers To Question The Reliability Of Their Own Perceptions And Consider Alternative Viewpoints.

Consequences Of Distorted Perceptions: The Consequences Of Distorted Perceptions Are Evident Throughout The Novel, As Characters' Misconceptions And Misunderstandings Lead To Tragic Outcomes. Nick's Idealization Of Gatsby, For Example, Blinds Him To Gatsby's Flaws And Vulnerabilities, Ultimately Contributing To Gatsby's Downfall. This Theme Of Perception And Deception Highlights The Dangers Of Relying On Surface Appearances And Emphasizes The Importance Of Seeking Truth And Understanding.

Morality And Ethics

Evaluation Of Characters' Moral Compasses: Unreliable Narration In "The Great Gatsby" Complicates The Evaluation Of Characters' Moral Compasses. Nick's Biased Narration Often Portrays Characters In Morally Ambiguous Terms, Making It Challenging For Readers To Make Definitive Judgments About Their Actions. The Novel Raises Questions About The Nature Of Morality And The Complexities Of Human Behavior, Inviting Readers To Consider The Shades Of Gray Between Right And Wrong.

Influence Of Biased Narration On Moral Judgment: The Influence Of Biased Narration On Moral Judgment Is A Recurring Theme In The Novel. Nick's Sympathetic Portrayal Of Gatsby, For Instance, Mitigates The Moral Implications Of Gatsby's Illegal Activities And Romantic Pursuit Of Daisy. Similarly, His Changing Perceptions Of Tom And Daisy Buchanan Complicate Moral Assessments Of Their Actions. This Theme Underscores The Subjective Nature Of Moral Judgment And Highlights The Role Of Perspective In Shaping Ethical Considerations.

Character Development Through Unreliable Narration:

Analysis Of Gatsby's Characterization Through Nick's Lens

Nick's Portrayal Of Gatsby Shapes Our Understanding Of The Character. Nick Sees Gatsby As A Heroic Figure, Driven By Love And Ambition. He Admires Gatsby's Wealth And Charisma, But Also Sympathizes With His Longing For Daisy. However, Nick's Idealized View Of Gatsby May Overlook His Flaws And Questionable Actions, Painting A One-Sided Picture Of The Character.

Impact Of Nick's Biases On The Portrayal Of Other Characters

Nick's Biases Influence How Other Characters Are Depicted In The Story. For Example, His Initial Criticism Of Tom And Daisy Buchanan Later Softens As He Gains A Deeper Understanding Of Their Motivations And Struggles. Similarly, Nick's Sympathetic Portrayal Of Gatsby May Lead Him To Downplay The Flaws Of Other Characters, Such As Jordan Baker. These Biases Shape Our Perceptions Of The Characters And Add Layers Of Complexity To Their Development.

Exploration Of Character Complexity And Depth

Through Nick's Unreliable Narration, Characters In "The Great Gatsby" Are Revealed To Be Multi-Dimensional And Complex. Gatsby, Initially Presented As A Romantic Hero, Is Later Shown To Be Flawed And Morally Ambiguous. Similarly, Characters Like Tom And Daisy Buchanan Are Portrayed With Nuance, As Nick's Evolving Perspective Allows Us To See Beyond Their Surface Appearances. This Exploration Of Character Depth Adds Richness To The Narrative, Inviting Readers To Consider The Complexities Of Human Nature And Behavior.

Conclusion:

In "The Great Gatsby," We've Journeyed Through The World Of Unreliable Narration, Guided By Nick Carraway's Perspective. We've Seen How Nick's Biases Shape Our Understanding Of Characters Like Jay Gatsby And The Buchanans, Blurring The Lines Between Truth And Interpretation. Through Nick's Lens, We've Explored Themes Of Illusion Versus Reality, Perception And Deception, And Morality And Ethics, Gaining Insight Into The Complexities Of Human Experience.

Unreliable Narration Adds Layers Of Depth To The Story, Challenging Us To Question Our Assumptions And Consider Alternative Viewpoints. As We Reflect On Nick's Narrative, We're Reminded That Truth Is Often Subjective, And Understanding Requires Empathy And Critical Thinking. "The Great Gatsby" Invites Us To Look Beyond Surface Appearances, To Explore The Complexities Of Human Nature, And To Confront The Illusions That Shape Our Lives.

In The End, Through The Lens Of Unreliable Narration, "The Great Gatsby" Emerges Not Just As A Story Of Love, Longing, And Loss, But As A Timeless Exploration Of The Human Condition—A Mirror Reflecting Our Own Hopes, Dreams, And Contradictions.

Reference:

Boyle, Thomas E. “Unreliable Narration in ‘The Great Gatsby.’” The Bulletin of the Rocky Mountain Modern Language Association, vol. 23, no. 1, 1969, pp. 21–26. JSTOR, https://doi.org/10.2307/1346578. Accessed 24 Apr. 2024.

Hanzo, Thomas A. "The Theme and the Narrator of" The Great Gatsby"." Modern Fiction Studies (1956): 183-190. https://www.jstor.org/stable/pdf/26273109.pdf    Accessed 23 Apr. 2024

RAUF, RAAD SABIR. "THE ART OF NARRATION IN F. SCOTT FITZGERALD'S THE GREAT GATSBY." (2015). https://www.researchgate.net. Accessed 23 Apr. 2024

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