Owl Eyes in The Great Gatsby by Fitzgerald

Table of Contents

Introduction
Owl Eyes Roles in Scott Fitzgeralds Novel The Great Gatsby
Conclusion
Works Cited

Introduction

Owl Eyes is a minor character from Scott Fitzgeralds novel The Great Gatsby. While only being present a few times in the story, his character is important to the overall message of the book and to the readers understanding of its characters. The audience first meets him in Gatsbys library during a party, where the man examines books. While there, Owl Eyes notices that Gatsbys books are real, but have not been read. It fooled me. This fellas a regular Belasco. Its a triumph. What thoroughness! What realism! Knew when to stop, too didnt cut the pages. But what do you want? What do you expect? (Fitzgerald and Turvey) Much like other parts of Gatsbys character, the books in the library exist only as a method of keeping public appearances, and Owl Eyes has caught onto this fact. Contrary to the actions of other partygoers, he wants to know more about the host.

Owl Eyes Roles in Scott Fitzgeralds Novel The Great Gatsby

In another scene, the car that Owl Eyes uses to leave the party crashes. This act can be seen as symbolic to other events of the book, as well as its overall commentary on the real world. First, the car crash is a commentary on the American partygoer culture of the time. Even after drunk driving and subsequently crashing the car, both the driver and Owl Eyes blame the manufacturers instead. In addition, the event can be seen as foreshadowing the future car crash in the novel.

Conclusion

Overall, Owl Eyes plays a number of roles in the book. On page 58, the audience can see that Gatsby puts up his guard in public, existing to project an image of a perfect affluent man. Despite this, characters like Owl Eyes see through him. He is the impartial observer, noticing many things about Gatsbys life without trying to change them or having personal stake. The man understands that Gatsbys lifestyle is a fake, seeing through the facade that fooled others. Despite his observation skills, however, the man is still a part of the destructive hedonistic culture of Jazz Age, going as far as getting into an accident due to drunk driving (Bellot). The contradiction of Owl Eyess initial introduction scene with his latter behavior reinforces the theme of reality vs appearance.