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Emily E. Pearson
Mrs.Kwiatkowski
Honors English 11
18 April 2016
Gatsby: An Innocent Crush or Creepy Infatuation
In the Great Gatsby, Jay Gatsby is the most eccentric character in the novel. He
is an interesting character, because hes mysterious and alluring. Nick, the narrator of
the story, is Gatsbys neighbor and he doesnt know him that well at first. Gatsbys grand
gestures can be perceived in two ways by the people around him: romantic or alarming.
Gatsby is always throwing lavish parties in hopes of attracting the attention of one
person, Daisy. Nick gets to watch Gatsby as he throws parties for Daisy's attention,
reunites with her, and eventually plan his funeral. Nicks thoughts and actions towards
Gatsby and Daisy helps the reader understand how Nick feels about Gatsby.
To some people Gatsbys lavish party-throwing in hopes of Daisy attending is
viewed as creepy. At the beginning of the novel, Nick is perplexed by Gatsby, the way
he spends money on crates of oranges and lemons, the source of his wealth, and why
he isnt drinking at his own grand party. Nick spends a majority of the novel confused
about Gatsby especially his motives towards Daisy. Why spend that much money and
put in that much effort to simply hope she will make an appearance? If Gatsby is that
desperate to see her isnt there a cheaper and less time consuming way to cross paths
with her? His roundabout way to try to get her attention is grand, but its also usual
because he has obtained this money to grab her attention. Gatsby himself isnt normal
though, he has an overwhelming amount of money and to him its very disposable. With
his wealth, he hopes he can lure her to his home. Is this stalkerish behavior, or is Gatsby
just clinging to the past like people often do? The definition of a stalker is a person who
harasses or persecutes someone with unwanted and obsessive attention. Gatsby
doesnt harass Daisy or give her unwanted attention. Daisy is oblivious to the fact that

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Gatsby is living so close to her and she is ignorant that for 5 years Gatsby has been
hopelessly eager to see her. This doesnt meet the definition of a stalker, it just makes
Gatsby strange. It is flattering for him to have such high hopes, unwavering for 5 years.
Gatsby doesnt want to be without Daisy even if she broke the promise to wait for him
after the war, and is now married and doesnt seek him out like he does her. When Nick
invites Gatsby and Daisy to bring them together, as requested by Gatsby, Nick notices at
Gatsbys mansion [Gatsby] hadnt once ceased looking at Daisy,(Fitzgerald 96) and
becomes aware of just how infatuated Gatsby is with her. When Gatsby brings Daisy to
his home, Nick then realizes how long Gatsby has been waiting for this opportunity to
show Daisy his home as though a faint doubt had occurred to him as to the quality of
his present happiness. Almost five years! (101) This house and everything in it has
been bought in hopes Daisy would see it I think he revalued everything in his house
according to the measure of response it drew from her well-loved eyes.(96-97). Nick
begins piecing together how long Gatsby has been preparing for Daisy to look at all he
has accomplished. Nick doesnt pass cruel judgement, but instead in detail describes
how happy Gatsby is.
Nick also feels comfortable with leaving them alone. If Nick was apprehensive
about Gatsby's motives concerning Daisy, he might be a little wary to leave them alone.
Instead, at times he is very eager to leave them by themselves and even feels like the
uncomfortable third wheel. Gatsby is overly concerned when Nick is leaving him and
Daisy alone at Nicks house Where are you going? demanded Gatsby in immediate
alarm. (Fitzgerald 92) Its a combination of being nervous around Daisy and wanting
Nick there as a safety net. When Nick returns, he struggles to make his presence
known and Gatsby and Daisy on the couch together seem to be sharing a very intimate
moment, and Nick went in-after making every possible noise in the kitchen short of
pushing over the stove.(94) Shortly after this Gatsby is ready to have Nick and Daisy

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come to his house. Nick asks whether he should really go with the couple, but with an
Absolutely, old sport.(95) the trio head to Gatsby's mansion. This shows how Gatsby
doesnt want to be alone with Daisy, which makes him open and doesnt alarm the
reader or Nick that Gatsby has other motives other than to show Daisy the house and all
his nice things. Nick, being the narrator, has to be around to give the reader insight on
what is going on, but he also needs to be there to make sure Gatsby doesnt come off as
a creep. If Gatsby was at any point in the story insistent about being alone with Daisy it
would set off red flags. Gatsby was sneaky and mysterious, but he wants to be an open
book when it comes to Daisy. He wants her to feel at ease, comfortable, and happy with
him. Gatsbys makes no advances on Daisy while she is at his house, he is just making
it a fun day to show her what he has amounted to. Nick never seems wary of Gatsby
and Daisys relationship, he does not think they shouldnt be seeing each other even
though Daisy is married with a child. He just marvels at them.
After Gatsby is killed Nick takes it upon himself to get together people to attend
Gatsby's funeral. It is ironic that Nick has to struggle to find people to attend Gatsby's
funeral when so many went to his parties. That shows just how flawed and selfish
humanity can be, but that's a rant for another time. One of Nick's earliest thoughts when
planning the Great Gatsby's funeral is calling Daisy. Unfortunately, Daisy has fallen off
the face of the planet. It is suggested that Tom has taken her to a foreign destination.
Nick asks about her and puts effort into contacting Daisy. This further proves that
Gatsby was not a stalker, at least not to Nick, because he believes Daisy would like to
attend Gatsby's funeral. This shows how even to Nick, it is obvious Daisy had feelings
for Gatsby.
Nick did not believe Gatsby was a stalker, while he might not consider
him completely romantic, Nick does admire Gatsby. He admires his parties and his air of
sophistication, sometimes he finds Gatsby peculiar but not creepy. Overall, using Nicks

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reactions to Gatsby's funeral planning, his comfortability with leaving them alone, and his
feelings towards Gatsby in general it can be concluded that Gatsby is not a stalker. He
is an admirer of Daisy and it is perfectly normal to have a crush for many years.

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Citation

Fitzgerald, F. Scott, and Matthew J. Bruccoli. The Great Gatsby. Print.