Nick is the novel's narrator, and he serves as a filter through which readers experience the events of the story. He is a character who is often portrayed as being more grounded and honest than the other characters in the novel. He comes from a modest background and is not motivated by wealth or material possessions. Instead, he is driven by a desire to understand the world around him and to find meaning in his experiences.
On the other hand, Gatsby is a character who is defined by his wealth and his pursuit of the American Dream. He is a self-made man who has accumulated his wealth through illegal means, and he is driven by a desire to win back his former love, Daisy Buchanan. Gatsby is a romantic figure who is obsessed with the past and with recapturing the feelings of his youth.
In terms of larger themes in the text, Nick and Gatsby represent two different sides of the American Dream. Nick embodies the idea that hard work and determination can lead to success and fulfillment, while Gatsby embodies the idea that wealth and material possessions are the keys to happiness and success. The novel explores the corrupting influence of wealth and the ways in which it can lead to moral decay and disillusionment.
Additionally, both Nick and Gatsby are searching for meaning and purpose in their lives. Nick is searching for a sense of belonging and connection in a world that is marked by superficiality and materialism, while Gatsby is searching for love and acceptance in a world that has rejected him. Their quests for meaning and fulfillment reflect the larger theme of the search for the American Dream and the ways in which it can be both empowering and ultimately unfulfilling.