Dominique Rankin
Ms. Locano
AP Lit.-1
5 December 2013
Gatsby Morally Ambiguous or Not?
F. Scott Fitzgerald is known for using all different types of literary techniques. In his book ,The Great Gatsby ,three main techniques are used. The techniques that he uses are as follows: imagery, dialogue and symbols. In this novel he displays more morally ambiguous characters than anything. Jay Gatsby embodies the characteristic that discourages readers from identifying him as purely evil or purely good. We can tell that he is based on his actions and how he handles certain situations.
The Great Gatsby begins with a man named Nick Caraway, whose narration paints a picture of his perception of Gatsby. Nick is a young man from Minnesota, who moves to New
York in the summer of 1922 to learn about the bond business. He rents a house in the West Egg
District of Long Island (a wealthy but unfashionable area populated by the new rich). Nick’s next door neighbor is a mysterious man who goes by the name of Jay Gatsby. He lives in a gigantic gothic mansion and throws extravagant parties every Saturday night. There are many rumors going around the town about Gatsby. The people of the town would say things like “somebody told me they thought he killed a man once” (44) and “it’s more that he was a German spy during the war” (44). These lines are specifically used to create an unreal image of who Gatsby really is.
But the truth is that nobody has ever really seen him until Nick came along. These lines tell the

reader that rumors can give you a misleading perception on things. Fitzgerald wants the world to know that you shouldn’t believe everything you hear because you never know how true it is.
A series of events can show the reader that love can be blinding. One of the most important events in the novel is when Gatsby asks Nick for a favor. He wants Nick to ask his cousin Daisy over for tea, but little does she know this is all a plot to get her back into his arms.
He is patient when he asks Nick and even says “I don’t want to put you to any trouble” (82) and
“Would you rather put it off for a few days?” (82). This setting shows a more considerate side of
Gatsby, it tells the reader that he isn’t as selfish as he may seem. It tells the reader that you can’t always judge a person based on a first impression. In the same setting he insults Nick suddenly and says, “Why, I thought- why look here old, old sport you don’t make much money, do you?”(82). From this line the reader can discern that Gatsby is a very blunt character. He then says, “I want to get the grass cut.” (82). Gatsby immediately assumes that Nick’s house isn’t as dazzling as it should be for Daisy to come. Gatsby goes out of his way and has his servants fix up his yard and orders all sorts of flowers to fix up Nick’s house. The reader can now tell how much Gatsby yearns for Daisy. Fitzgerald uses these lines to show how love can make you do the most ridiculous things.
Aside from being blunt Gatsby is really affectionate, he tries to look out for Nick
(knowing that he doesn’t have much money) by saying, “I thought you didn’t if you’ll pardon my---you see, I carry on a little business on the side, a sort of side line you understand.” “And I thought that if you don’t make very much---You’re selling bonds aren’t you, old sport? (82).
From these lines the reader will be able to tell that Gatsby cares for the people who care for him.
He wanted Nick to have more money in his pockets so he tries to turn him on to more money.

Another important event that happened was when Gatsby is confronted by Tom. As the people of the town would say “he would never so much as look at a friend’s wife” (72). Tom has figured out that he is deeply in love with Daisy, and instead of looking at his own imperfections he wants to try and expose Gatsby. Tom says, “That’s a great expression of yours isn’t it?” “All this old sport business, where’d you pick that up?” (127). These lines tell the reader that Gatsby really isn’t who he says he is. Fitzgerald uses these lines to show that whatever is done in the dark will eventually come to the light.
The novel continues on with telling us about our morally ambiguous character (Gatsby).
We later on find that Gatsby set himself up for a huge downfall. Later on in the book, once
Myrtle Wilson is killed with his car he goes into a deep stage of depression to protect Daisy. He knows that she was the one who was driving but refuses to let anyone know that. “The truth was that Jay Gatsby of West Egg, Long Island, sprang from his platonic conception of himself.” (98) and “for a while these recurrences provided an outlet for his imagination; they were a satisfactory hint of the unreality of reality, a promise that the rock of the world was founded securely on a fairy’s wing.” (99). From these lines the reader can input that you should never try to be something your not, in the end it will not be worth it. Fitzgerald uses this line to tell the world that you should always be the best you can be and if people don’t love you for that then forget them.