Guide Mentor

Nick Carraway

Well, we had to get him in here somewhere. Nick serves as a guide for a few different people. The first one, the easy one, is Gatsby. Nick helps Gatsby out by giving him advice – unfortunately, Gatsby never listens. Nick enables Gatsby’s affair with Daisy, using action to help his friend. He later uses words, advising Gatsby that he "can’t repeat the past." He is also the one to warn Gatsby that he ought to leave town after the Myrtle’s death. Again, the man just doesn’t listen. The interesting part comes in at the end of the novel, when Nick says that we are all "borne back ceaselessly into the past." Because this stands in contrast to what Nick told Gatsby earlier, and because it in fact mirrors Gatsby’s prior sentiments, you could argue that Gatsby in return acts as a guide for Nick. We definitely didn’t see that one coming.

Dan Cody

Dan Cody serves as Gatsby’s friend and mentor. He not only gives Gatsby a taste of "elite" life, but he also provides him with the only education he receives – a by-the-seat-of-your-pants education that gives Gatsby the skills and experience to head off in pursuit of wealth and class.