Nick's Corruption In The Great Gatsby

Nicks last words to Gatsby before he died was “they’re a rotten crowd... you’re worth the whole damn bunch put together” (154). This quote links to a numerous amount of excerpts from the novel that all convey the shared theme of moral corruption. Nick is complementing Gatsby by saying that he is better than Tom, Daisy, Jordan, or any ‘rotten’ East Egger. This quote transmits a large amount of significance as it ties in Nick’s change in character. Nick is viewed by the reader as a non-judgemental individual who can be trusted. However, it is evident that he juxtaposes whom he is acquainted to and calls Gatsby on his superiority. Nick is certainly conflicted about Gatsby as he goes on to say he "disapproved of him from beginning to end (154). Nevertheless, throughout the entire book, he does find admirable qualities in Gatsby, and he cannot help but express them. …show more content…
Nick even states at the beginning of the novel, “Gatsby turned out alright at the end; it is what preyed on Gatsby, what foul dust floated in the wake of his dreams that temporarily closed out my interest in the abortive sorrows and short-winded elations of men” (2). Here, Nick makes a clear differentiation between Gatsby and all other characters in the book. Gatsby is in one category while all other men and their “short-winded elations” are in the other. The distinctive trait between the two groups is that Gatsby possessed this ability to dream, while the dreams of men are only ever “short-winded”. The undercurrent of Nick’s tone suggests his appreciation for this