How does the narrator, Nick Carraway, go through any changes ?

'Coming of age' = transition from childhood to adulthood
Nick starts out hopeful, excited about his new life
He presents himself as trustworthy and non-judgmental at the beginning of the novel (Chapter I)
He appears naive and inexperiences, full of hope
Admired and inspired by Gatsby
Drawn in Gatsby's smile : Nick becomes skeptical, suspicious about his origins
At the beginning, Nick is impressed by Daisy and Tom but he rapidly realizes that they are shallow, superficial, selfish, cruel. He cannot stand them anymore
Feels attracted by Jordan Baker at the beginning, but disenchantment at the end : the relation to Jordan reflects Nick's feeling about the rich
Nick becomes cynical, disillusioned
He gets better insight in human behavior
He becomes more mature
He knows where he belongs at the end of the novel and returns home
Myrtle's death was a warning to Nick of the emotional and moral destruction that awaits him if he pursues the American Dream as passionately as she did
Nick has become aware of the unpredictability of people and the East-centered, party- and sensation-filled life he aspired to
He wanted to be like Gatsby but realizes that it is all superficial happiness
Nick does not want to be part of such a cruel population

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