Importance of Point of View in The Great Gatsby In novels that contain intertwining plots and diverse scenes, the author's selection of point of view becomes a primary factor in its impact and effectiveness. The Great Gatsby is a novel that demonstrates this point most clearly. While Fitzgerald's decision to view the plot through Nick Carraway's eyes has some limitations, it provides the means to connect the tone and message of the novel as a whole. Scott Fitzgerald would be the first to admit that his masterpiece was not without its flaws. In a letter written to Edmund Wilson, he criticized what he felt was the novel's "BIG HIT". I gave no account (and had no sense or knowledge) of the emotional relationship between Gatsby and Daisy from the time of their reunion a la catastrophe. Undoubtedly, this constraint on detailed development was imposed almost exclusively by the point of view. Because Fitzgerald expounds the plot through the perspective of one essential character, the intimacy between any other group of characters is lost or can only be hinted at. A sort of haze surrounds these important relationships, as Nick and, in turn, the reader are blind to the details of their occurrence. In the case of Gatsby and Daisy, some of the power that supports Gatsby's dream is never presented. This situation is alleviated somewhat, however, by the integration of dialogue. This aspect of Fitzgerald's point of view not only thoroughly describes the novel's other character, but also keeps the narrator's credibility in check. Who's to say that Nick Carraway will be readers' only glimpse into the rich world of Long Island in the 1920s? He himself admitted that he is far from perfect; even "vulnerable". By providing the reader with the ability to judge each character's importance, purpose, and mission, less time is spent analyzing the narrator's credibility and more time understanding Fitzgerald's statement as a whole. message that would be lost if it were not for the selected point of view. Fitzgerald, through what Nick perceives and the changes he undergoes, specifically comments on the society of the time.