Nick vs. Tom

NICK vs. TOM There are numerous types of people in this world. Apart from physical features, it is the characteristics of a person that makes him/her unique. Nick Carraway the narrator of The Great Gatsby has characteristics, which are the total opposite of those of Tom Buchanan, his cousin-in-law. In the novel, the author, F. Scott Fitzgerald, uses the comparison between two cousins to show how their differing characteristic reflects the themes of morality …

…conscience proves that he is a clean-hearted person; whereas tom insensitive conscience proves that he is a selfish person. The theme of morality is shown through their conscience actions. The characteristics of human beings, can say a lot about what kind of person they are. Both Nick and Tom have characteristics that are quite the opposite. In showing the differing characteristics of Nick and Tom, Fitzgerald portrays the themes of morality and reality versus illusion.