What are your opinions on the first paragraph of The Great Gatsby?

[perkylovemuffin]

In my opinion I think the first paragraph of The Great Gatsby presents many of the themes of the novel, but how do you think Nick's fathers quote determins his behaviour for the rest of the novel? And what can you read into how the war might have changed him?

[Jacob Mosiniak]

My opinion on the first paragraph in the Great Gatsby is that that quote by Nick's father, in some ways, fits with Nick's attitude toward most things. Nick is shy when talking to people. Nick does not brag about how he went to Yale and had a good upbringing. He doesn't go out and buy flamboyant cars and other things. Nick attends parties and hangs out with people that are critical of other people and brag about their lives, but Nick doesn't do that.

[JayGatsby]

The beginning of the great gatsby is amazing . I think it tells why nicks character acts the way he does and why he doesnt do much to intervene in certain situations he reserves all judgment given that his father told him to do so. I think the advice given by his father in the paragraph definitely describes nick explains nicks actions better than anywhere else in the book. Nick is constantly in certain situations where he should leave or speak up or just plain slap tom in the face but givin that hes constantly rolling over this advice in his head he just cant bring himself to do so.