Nick's description of Gatsby's early life reveals the sensitivity to status that spurs Gatsby on. His humiliation at having to work as a janitor in college contrasts with the promise that he experiences when he meets Dan Cody, who represents the attainment of everything that Gatsby wants.
In his first direct contact with Gatsby, Nick notices his extraordinary smile—“one of those rare smiles with a quality of eternal reassurance in it.” Nick's impression of Gatsby emphasizes his optimism and vitality—something about him seems remarkably hopeful, and this belief in the brilliance of the future impresses ...
“You're worth the whole damn bunch put together.” Nick addresses these words to Gatsby the last time he sees his neighbor alive, in Chapter 8. This moment nicely captures Nick's ambivalent feelings about Gatsby. Even though he disapproves of Gatsby until the end, Nick still winds up taking his side.
Nick was very impressed after meeting Gatsby. He was surprised that such a young man could have enormous wealth. He was expecting an older gentleman who would be outgoing and pompous, which Gatsby was not. He admires Gatsby for not drinking at his own party and sets him above most people in the world.
Though Nick's first impression of Gatsby is of his boundless hope for the future, Chapter 4 concerns itself largely with the mysterious question of Gatsby's past.
0:092:54The Great Gatsby | Chapter 3 Summary & Analysis - YouTubeYouTubeStart of suggested clipEnd of suggested clipNow Nick and Jordan they go searching for Gatsby Nick begins to talk to a man at the bar the manMoreNow Nick and Jordan they go searching for Gatsby Nick begins to talk to a man at the bar the man turns out to be Gatsby himself they realized they serve them the same division during the war.
All the way through the novel, Nick's perception of Gatsby changes from him perceived as a rich chap, to a man that lives in the past, to a man trying to achieve his aspirations but has failed. At the beginning of the book Nick sees Gatsby as a mysterious shady man.
Chapter 4 of The Great Gatsby reveals much about Gatsby's past and his true wishes. Nick believes Gatsby's account of his past, which endears Gatsby to Nick and makes Nick trust the man more. The chapter also hints at Gatsby's current, possibly nefarious, business with the introduction of Meyer Wolfsheim.
Nick admires Gatsby highly, despite the fact that Gatsby represents everything Nick scorns about New York. Gatsby clearly poses a challenge to Nick's customary ways of thinking about the world, and Nick's struggle to come to terms with that challenge inflects everything in the novel.
What does Nick think of Gatsby when he first meets him? Doesn't know who he is, he describes his smile, and finds him easy to talk to. he says he is mysterious.
2. Describe Gatsby the first time Nick sees him? When Nick first sees Gatsby, he describes him as "standing with his hands in his pockets." You just studied 9 terms!
Nick's character changes entirely when he is invited to one of Mr. Gatsby parties and agrees to help him meet up with Daisy Buchanan after five long years of separation. Nick's character changes in terms of behaviour, attitude, and relationships when he meets Gatsby and is ambitious to help him and act more like him.