If we did, our viewpoint on Gatsby would be very different and if that happened we"d be reading a different novel. The "anti-hero" is a more modern device portrayed in films and comic books. Fitzgerald refrains from turning Gatsby into this as we are meant to see a hero with faults not a villain with morals.
From Nick's viewpoint and therefore from the reader's perspective Gatsby is a hero. Nick is a critical narrator, casting an unattractive view of all the major characters, except for Gatsby. It's his judgemental stance that personifies his idealization of Gatsby. Nick follows Gatsby's dream, that dream is Daisy Fay Buchanan. She is a woman who, as Fitzgerald has informed us from her introduction, is shallow, self-absorbed and lives for money. Her husband, Tom Buchanan, is a man whom we are not supposed to like and who never shows affection to Daisy in any way. Daisy's love for him is founded on his money and reputation. Gatsby wants to replace him. He has earned his fortune and now he wants the girl. He loves Daisy and he believes that she"ll make him happy. Gatsby still lacks the fame and reputation the Buchanan name carries. That's what it comes down to. Love doesn't matter. We as readers want Gatsby to succeed. Fitzgerald has established him as our hero and for that we are lead to give him our full support:.
" "The Great Gatsby" is a dramatic affirmation, . of the American spirit in the midst of an American world that denies the soul. Gatsby exists in, and for that affirmation alone." .
It's what he represents and what he dies for that makes Gatsby a hero in our minds. As one critic states: "Although he is defeated, the dream gives Gatsby a dignity and a set of qualities lacking in other characters," and it is this which ************Our liking of Gatsby is encouraged by the narration of Nick Carraway. Many critics believe Nick is key to the novel. He leads us into the life of Gatsby and the Buchanans.