is nick the main character, or is gatsby? maybe someone will actually help...

i have an essay do on thursday, on who the main character is. what do you think?

Well, it is unclear in the first few chapters, but after that I think it becomes clear. Take a look at the title of the book...that should be your first hint.

Nick Carraway is the narrator, but a pretty peripheral one. Think about it. He does not take part in much of the action of the book, but simply observes it so that readers can have access to it.

Here's a little bit more on Nick's role as a narrator: http://www.shmoop.com/literary-devic...ive-voice.html

Also, check out the "character roles" link under the "characters" tab if you want to see more on why Gatsby is the protagonist.

I'd say that both are on different levels. On one level, the story is an account of Gatsby's relationship with Daisy- thus Gatsby is the main character there. On another, it's about Nick's journey (he's the only character that is changed by the novel's events).

The name of the book can be misleading. Shakespeare may have called his play Othello but Iago seems much more of a main.