What role does Nick Carraway play in "The Great Gatsby"?

Nick Carraway serves primarily as the moral compass and observer of the American Dream in F. Scott Fitzgerald’s "The Great Gatsby." As the narrator, Nick offers unique insights into the complex social dynamics and moral decay surrounding him, particularly in the context of the Jazz Age and the lives of the wealthy characters, such as Jay Gatsby and Daisy Buchanan.

His Midwestern background provides him with an outsider's perspective, allowing him to critique the excesses and ethical ambiguities of East Coast society. Nick's reflections on his experiences, his attempts to understand Gatsby's motivations, and his judgments of the other characters contribute to the novel's exploration of the American Dream and its disillusionment. Through Nick, readers witness the contrasting ideals of ambition and wealth versus authenticity and moral integrity, making him an essential figure who highlights the thematic concerns of the narrative.

This understanding of Nick’s role emphasizes how he encapsulates the novel’s critique of aspiration and the pursuit of happiness, alongside the ultimate hollowness of such pursuits in a materialistic society.