The role of Nick Carraway as the narrator of The Great GatsbyIn The Great Gatsby F. Scott Fitzgerald presents a specific portrait of society American of the Roaring Twenties and tells the story of a man who emerges from the gutter and achieves great riches. This man, Jay Gatsby, does not realize that his new wealth cannot give him the privileges of class and status. Nick Carraway, from a prominent Midwestern family, narrates the story. Nick presents himself as a reliable narrator, when in reality several events in the novel prove that he is an unreliable narrator. Although Nick Carraway can be an unreliable narrator, he is the best narrator in the novel because he creates the correct effect. Nick Carraway wants the reader to believe 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 clue to 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, just remember that not everyone in this world has had the advantages that you have had. » Obviously his father was talking to him about the importance of not criticizing others, but Nick interprets this as judgment on others (Donaldson 131). This shows how Nick's upbringing made him a critical snob towards others. He is not biased; he judges and condemns almost all the characters in the novel. He says Tom Buchanan has "straw hair, a harsh mouth, a disdainful manner, and a cruel body with which he pushes people around." Daisy Buchanan is described as insincere and snobbishly believes that she "has been everywhere, seen everything and done everything". Myrtle Wilson is said... middle of paper ... which distorts everything. Nick has a crush on Jay Gatsby because Gatsby has the courage to pursue his dreams. Gatsby represents the American dream; he has risen from the gutter to fabulous wealth and the chance to pursue the girl he loves. He can never have it because he doesn't have the same class or status as Daisy. Works Cited Daley, Linda. The Great Gatsby website. July 16 2000., 1998. 147 - 51.