Question

Nick says, "i was looking at an elegant young roughneck...whose elaborate formality of speech just missed being absurd. some time before he introduced himself i'd got a strong impression that he was picking his words with care." what is fitzgerald trying to convey here about gatsby? how should we feel about gatsby here?

Answer 1

In this excerpt, Nick makes it clear that Gatsby does not seem to be like the other people around him. He picks his words with care, as if he was playing a part. He also seems to be trying too hard, as Nick tells us that his formality of speech "just missed being absurd." It seems like Gatsby is not as sophisticated as everyone else, but he does not want anyone to notice. However, Nick can see through it, developing the theme that Gatsby is an outsider in this luxurious world.

Answer 2

Fitzgerald is trying to convey that Gatsby does not quite belong among the rich. Instead, he is putting on an act and trying to fit in. Nick, however, can see through Gatsby.
The reader is able to sympathize with Gatsby here; after all, everyone can understand wanting to fit in. Most people play a part at some point in their life; thus, the effect of this description on the reader is to make him a more relatable and sympathetic character.