The Great Gatsby

[kelby_lake]

The quote you paraphrased is:
"They're a rotten crowd," I shouted across the lawn. "You're worth the whole damn bunch put together." I’ve always been glad I said that. It was the only compliment I ever gave him, because I disapproved of him from beginning to end.

I think it's sort of hero-worship, because Nick doesn't have an exciting life himself. He works in finance or something, and so the idea of Gatsby is both seductive and repulsive. He's torn between hating him and loving him, and I think his compliment is really sweet.

[ktm5124]

He works in finance or something, and so the idea of Gatsby is both seductive and repulsive.

Ah, that's a great point!

I think perhaps we disagree on what we mean by hero-worship. I only meant to point out how mixed Nick feels about Gatsby, and how often Gatsby comes across as pathetic.

[kelby_lake]

Ah, that's a great point!

I think perhaps we disagree on what we mean by hero-worship. I only meant to point out how mixed Nick feels about Gatsby, and how often Gatsby comes across as pathetic.

Maybe he's just conflicted about his hero-worship.