Nick Carraway is a son of a well-to-do businessman from the mid-western United States. His family represents the "old-money" dynasty of America, and they have been influential in the region for about two generations. In the beginning of the novel, Carraway begins by relating a personal experience that he once had with his father. This is significant because it shows that he has a good relationship with his family, and is not overly infatuated with his worldly possessions. Although he seems humble, he is also a bit pretentious. He attended Yale University and spends substantial time away from his home in the East. The fact that he does not tend to voice his judgement others, makes it obvious that Nick is an amicable man that many are fond of. Nick keeping his judgments to himself may be why he and Daisy's husband Tom got along so well during their time at New Haven. Although Carraway does not usually voice his judgments, this does not mean he does not judge. He seems to be brutally honest, always observing his situation and that of others with a realistic view. Although Nick's family was wealthy, they are by no means as wealthy as Daisy and her husband Tom. Due to his lack of riches, it seems that Nick is only ever partially included by the social elite. He and the Buchanan's are friends, yet they live extremely far away from his home in Chicago and he admits that they rarely interact. Even when later on he moves to East Egg in New York, he lives in a quaint cottage that lies in the shadow of Gatsby's and the Buchanan's mansion. This is symbolic for his partial acceptance into the world of Daisy, Tom, and Gatsby. Although he is always so close, Nick will never be fully a part of their world. All in all Nick Carraway is a man who seems to be able to see through the gilded exterior of the posh world of the social elite and identify the social problems that lie at its core. Because of his semi-objective and realistic point of view, Carraway is able to approach the social issues of these New York barons through different eyes and relate it to the reader in a way that is simple and down to Earth.
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