Question

What does the narrator mean when he says "It's preyed on Gatsby what foul dust floated in the wake of his dreams that temporarily closed out my interest in the abortive sorrows and short-winded elations of men"?

Option 1: Gatsby was haunted by the consequences of his actions, which made the narrator lose interest in other people's problems.
Option 2: Gatsby's dreams were tainted by corruption, leading the narrator to disengage from the superficial sorrows and fleeting joys of others.
Option 3: The narrator found Gatsby's dreams disturbing and chose to focus on the more significant issues of society.
Option 4: Gatsby's success made the narrator envious, leading to a lack of concern for others.

Answer 1

The narrator's statement suggests that Gatsby's dreams were tainted by corruption, leading the narrator to disengage from the superficial sorrows and fleeting joys of others.

Step-by-step explanation:

The narrator's statement suggests that Gatsby's dreams were tainted by corruption, leading the narrator to disengage from the superficial sorrows and fleeting joys of others. Gatsby's pursuit of wealth and success was accompanied by sinister intentions and illegal activities, which ultimately caused the narrator to lose interest in the common struggles and triumphs of ordinary people. This quote showcases the stark contrast between Gatsby's dreams and the reality of the consequences that followed.