In addition to the euphemisms of the Jewish underworld
boss, Meyer Wolfscheim, there are others that are, perhaps, more subtle. For instance,
Nick prides himself in Chapter Three for being "one of the few honest
people" that he has known. In this same chapter, Nick proclaims that
towards Jordan Baker he does not feel love, but "a sort of tender
curiosity." When he learns of the incident that reached the paper in
the "proportions of a scandal," he remarks that Jordan is
"incurably dishonest," and about this, he is
"casually sorry" and then, he says, "I
forgot."
In Chapter Four, Nick's apparent
penchant for euphemism continues as he narrates that he had written down the names of
those who came to Gatsby's house the one summer. Although it is disintegrating, Nick
states, he is still able to read the "grey names" of those who took advantage of
Gatsby's
hospitality and paid him the subtle
tribute of knowing nothing whatever about
him.
In Chapter Four, as
Gatsby alludes to the battle at Montenegro. a small Italian kingdom that came under
Fascist control; the conflict with Montenegro became vicious and chaotic; a guerilla war
began that cost tens of thousands of civilians their lives. But, as Nick listens to the
account of Gatsby, he states that Gatsby's smile
"sympathized with the brave struggles of the
Montenegrin people":
It appreciated full the chain of national
circumstances which had elicited this tribute from Montenegro's warm
little heart. My incredulity was submerged in fascination
now; it was like skimming hastily through a dozen
magazines.
Fitzgerald's
prolific employment of euphemisms in Nick's narration indicates the superficiality of
the characters who populate Fitzgerald's tableau of the Jazz Age, a people caught from
within in illusion.
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