Sex talk: An analysis of the relationship between Gatsby and Nick

In F. Scott Fitzgerald’s novel The Fantastic Gatsby, there is an undeniable chemistry between the two principal characters, Nick Carraway and Jay Gatsby. Although some may possibly see this relationship as just a sturdy friendship, there is proof to believe that Nick felt something much more than platonic. All through the novel there is a particular tone that Fitzgerald portrays in his writing when Nick speaks about his old friend, Jay Gatsby. Gatsby is always the exception for Nick when it comes to the careless personalities in each the West and East egg. With a scene that questions Nick’s sexuality, it is not far off to assume that he may be in enjoy with Gatsby. There is even a noticeably diverse tone when Nick tells his readers about Gatsby compared to the other people in West and East Egg. The two characters seem to contrast completely, and it is these clashing character traits that seems to draw them even closer.

Nick Carraway’s sexuality comes into question when his intense relationship with Gatsby turns into a deep infatuation. From the initial chapter there is an apparent distinction in the way Nick describes Gatsby to his readers. The tone that Fitzgerald uses to portray how Nick sees Gatsby shows a passion that he does not show towards any other characters. Nick goes on to describe how he despises the careless and selfish ways of the East and West Egg, but he explains that, “Only Gatsby, the man who gives his name to this book, was exempt from my reaction” (Fitzgerald 2). For some explanation Nick sees qualities in Gatsby that excuses the reality that he lives in West Egg, and is around all the folks he scorns. When describing the physical traits of Gatsby, Nick says that there is “Something beautiful about him” (Fitzgerald two). In a way there is both a physical and emotional connection between the two from the moment Nick meets Gatsby. At the party that Gatsby particularly invites Nick to, Nick immediately notices Gatsby’s smile. He says that, It was 1 of those uncommon smiles with a high quality of eternal reassurance in it, that you may come across 4 or 5 occasions in life. It faced—or seemed to face—the whole external globe for an instant, and then concentrated on you with an irresistible prejudice in your favor. (Fitzgerald 48) Nick felt that when Gatsby smiles he is understanding every little thing about him, and Nick admires that quality in Gatsby. The detail in which Nick describes Gatsby’s physical look suggests that he is interested in him far more than he is prepared to tell.

When Nick goes to a celebration with Tom Buchanan, and his mistress, he has an interesting interaction with Mr. McKee, that puts Nick’s sexuality under question. Nick, while below the influence of alcohol, notices a small detail about Mr. McKee’s face. He sees a little dab of shaving cream that is driving him practically mad, and that he have to remove. It is very peculiar that Nick notices some thing so modest about a man, specially the reality that it makes him so crazy that he has to get rid of it. Nick waits until Mr. McKee is dozing off to go more than and wipe it off instead of just telling Mr.McKee that it is there. Nick describes Mr. McKee as a “pale, feminine man” (Fitzgerald 30), and he is attracted sufficient to this “feminine” man enough to feel comfy wiping shaving cream off his face. Throughout this entire scene at a celebration, Fitzgerald has place in little work to establish Nick as purely a straight male. Even with the distraction of Tom’s mistress’ sister, Catherine Wilson, Nick appears to be more fascinated with the male in the room as it gets later into the evening. It is also to be brought up once more that Nick was highly intoxicated, and in many circumstances alcohol makes men and women much less inhibited. Even at the finish of the chapter there is some thing suspicious about the scene Nick describes. He says that Mr. McKee was, “…sitting up amongst the sheets, clad in his underwear, with a excellent portfolio in his hands” (Fitzgerald 38). Even if Mr. McKee wanted to show his portfolio to Nick he didn’t require to be practically naked to do so. This entire chapter causes a lot of speculation that Nick is confused with his sexuality. There is also numerous critics that believe that Nick has a quite confusing sexuality.

There is a distinct contrast in how Nick describes female characters compared to how he describes males. The amount of detail Nick pours into his descriptions makes it possible for readers to see deeply into every one particular of the characters, but yet there is nevertheless a noticeable difference in the work he makes use of to describe the male characters. Even when Nick describes his important other, Jordan Baker, there is a lack of passion in his tone. He says that she is, …a slender, little-breasted girl, with an erect carriage which she accentuated by throwing her physique backward at the shoulders like a young cadet. Her grey sun-strained eyes looked back at me with polite reciprocal curiosity out of a wan, charming discontented face. (Fitzgerald 11)Nick and Jordan are collectively for most of the novel, but but this is just about the extent of what is stated about her. Nick never goes into any more particulars about her physical look, but when Nick talks about Gatsby’s appearance and character he throws in a certain fire or passion in the words he uses. Some of the words incorporate “gorgeous,” “extraordinary,” and “romantic” (Fitzgerald 2). Not once did he use such potent words to describe any other characters, not even ladies that he seems to be in a “relationship” with. Nick can't support but describe Gatsby in a a lot more vivid way since he admires Gatsby more than any individual else, and notices far more information about him.

Even a critic from The Atlantic notices that it is odd that Nick never appears to notice Tom’s mistress. He says that, “In the book, he recognizes her appeal, but seems unmoved or even disgusted by it” (Berlatsky). It is not a coincidence that a number of men and women notice this glitch in Nick’s descriptions. Also taking into account that Nick is remembering this summer time from the previous, it is feasible that he only remembers specific specifics about Gatsby due to the fact of the strong feelings he had for him. There are many causes for Nick to feel so strongly about Gatsby even although they have been so different. The qualities that they see in every single other are the qualities they want they had themselves. That is why Nick is so curious and intrigued by Gatsby. John Henry Raleigh wrote an article about these variations and mentioned that, “…the bond in between them reveals that they are not opposites but rather complements…” (103). The phrase “opposites attract” is employed quite literally in this sense because of how contrasting the two are. Raleigh says that Nick is, “…reason, expertise, waking, reality, and history”, whilst Gatsby is, “imagination, innocence, sleeping, dream, and eternity” (Raleigh 103). All of the qualities of Nick and Gatsby balance each and every other out in a way that no one else can do. For instance, when Nick invites Daisy to his house, at Gatsby’s request, Gatsby becomes very uneasy and nervous. Nick serves as a levelheaded particular person that Gatsby can speak to and use to calm his nerves. At this point in their friendship they have not even established a partnership, but but Gatsby is nevertheless comfortable sufficient to confide in Nick at his most vulnerable state. This trust and reassurance is just the start off of a deep trust in each and every other.

An additional note to take into account is that we are reading this book in the eyes and filter of Nick Carraway. Fitzgerald was able to give us enough textual proof to make recommendations of Nick’s sexuality, but there is no way to confirm without reading amongst the lines. Even a professor undertaking investigation on The Great Gatsby picked up on the hints Fitzgerald place in his function. She notices that, “Nick is, himself, invested in sexual passing” (Froehlich). The particular tone appropriate from the beginning begins hinting at their relationship, but when Nick starts to single Gatsby out as the only exception to every little thing he scorns it is affordable to assume that there is anything going on beyond a platonic connection. Following that with a scene with Nick and Mr. McKee, Nick’s sexuality comes even additional into query. There is an intense connection in between them that individuals may possibly not understand simply because of how different they are, but it is fairly clear when reading a tiny closer that they recognize every other in a way that other people can't. It is clear that Nick Carraway and Jay Gatsby’s connection is unique, but at some point Nick crosses over from curiosity to infatuation.

Citations

Berlatsky, Noah. “The Excellent Gatsby Movie Required to Be More Gay.” The Atlantic. Atlantic Media Organization, 13 Might 2013. Net. 05 May 2016.Fitzgerald, F. Scott. The Excellent Gatsby. New York: Scribner, 2013. Print.Froehlich, Maggie Gordon. “Jordan Baker, Gender Dissent, and Homosexual Passing in The Great Gatsby.” (n.d.): 1-23. Monmouth. 2010. Web. 5 Might 2016. Raleigh, John Henry. “F. Scott Fitzgerald’s The Wonderful Gatsby: Legendary Bases and Allegorical Significances.” F. Scott Fitzgerald: A Collection of Critical Essays. Ed. Arthur Mizener. Englewood Cliffs, N.J.: Prentice-Hall, 1963. 99-103. Print.