Prejudice- Joana Tsuhlares
Prejudice, I believe, is really used as character distinction. Tom shows strong prejudice tendencies saying, "...if we don't look out the whit race will be-will be utterly submerged" (Fitzgerald 13). Nick is also very unfaithful and respectful to his wife, while she, in sharp contrast, is much more kind and less manipulative overall. You also see his (Tom) also shows the differences with this strong statement between him and more passive Nick. I think this will really show in Tom's character more often, because it shows he can be hateful, and if there is conflict this might show itself.
I can see where prejudice would play a role in a character's distincton. After all, what is personality but opinions and how you act on them? Tom does show some heavy prejudice, and that only plays into his antagonistic character even more. So it would make sense that in contrast, Nick is unbiased and kind when he rarely and unintentionally is prejudiced. -Shayla McFarland
ReplyDeleteI agree with Shayla, but in order to understand the prejudices, maybe we should look at the time period as well. This novel is in the 1920's and there is a lot of prejudices toward African Americans, immigrants, and women. Maybe Nick is unintentional with his prejudices because it is part of what the culture was like back then. I do also feel like that he is making Tom an antagonist thus far.
ReplyDelete--Luke Knollinger