Significant Quote

"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 the beginning to end. First he nodded politely and then his face broke into that radiant understanding smile, as if we'd been in ecstatic cahoots on that fact all the time."


This quote is said by Nick to Gatsby when he sees him for the last time before he his killed. It is significant because it shows the character development in Nick. In the very beginning of the book, Nick says the he is "inclined to reserve all judgements" however in this chapter, at the end of the book we see that Nick has made judgements about different characters in the book, especially the Buchanan's and other upper class people. This shows that through out the book Nick has become more upfront and candid about his opinions. It is also significant because it sets a mood between Gatsby and Nick. Before this quote, we knew how much Nick treasures his friendship with Gatsby but it is unclear how Gatsby feels about Nick. In this quote, through Gatsby's smile he shows us how much he also appreciates his friendship with Nick.