Nick Carraway and Gatsby :

• Gatsby
  • Dreams of greatness
  • Active observer
  • He is an optimist to a delusional degree
  • He is isolated by everyone, cannot really be himself
• Nick
  • Doesn't want to be the wealthiest salesman : he prefers being the observer at the edge than being in its midst
  • Passive observer
  • He is a realist who finds Gatsby's idealism inspiring and admirable
  • He is more socially
  • Importance he places on morality and decency
  • Nick serves as a foil : he is the best possible observer of Gatsby because he is his contrast
  • He tries spinning a negative character (Gatsby) into a positive one : Nick could never see the true Gatsby who is narcissistic and criminal

Tom Buchanan and Gatsby :

• Similarities : self-centered, wealth, selfish, concerned with appearances
• They both love being powerful but they use it differently :
  • Tom is physically aggressive and threatens
  • Gatsby has much more indirect methods, he is clearly happy to have control
• They are both in love with Daisy but Tom loves Daisy as a person whereas Gatsby loves her as an idea
• Tom and Gatsby are much more similar than different through Nick's eyes