Great Gatsby – Chapter 3

“Every one suspects himself of a least one of the cardinal virtues…” (99)

Do you ever think that you have the most gifted blog, or prettiest hair in your class, or even the most easy-going personality? Maybe you think, “Wow, that was really insightful of me. I’m pretty smart!” Maybe you think you’re the most modest person in your group of friends. Or maybe you think, like Nick, you are honest. In some way, shape, or form we all perceive ourselves as pure in one respect. It is our one undeniable virtue.

Outside our own narcissisms (we all have at least one), how accurate is our memory? Nick thinks he is completely honest. Well, let’s analyze his own bias towards himself. It’s possible, if not probable, that he has a bias geared toward believing his honesty is accurate. Note he doesn’t mention how exactly he defines honesty. To him, honesty could be to tell the truth most of the time and not all of the time. Or maybe honesty is telling the truth only about him. In that case his neglect to argue that Daisy was indeed not a Catholic, would be acceptable. My point is this: We have a bias and that bias is strongly reflected on how we define something.

From a scientific article I read I’ve discovered the origin of most biases: Positive events are recalled more accurately than negative ones. The emotional connection, whether it is good or bad, strong or weak, is important to how something it recalled. Therefore, Nick cannot justifiable say he is or isn’t honest. He is the most biased and critical of his life (obviously), so his interpretation of the past will inevitable sway to one side. With sway, certain facts are eliminated. Without facts, there isn’t accuracy. Without accuracy Nick is wrong to state himself “honest.”

Just saying, we can’t just call ourselves something. We don’t remember all the facts and without them we are unjustifiable in a conclusion. It’s important to note we have faults in our own memories and perceptions. It would explain how there are two sides to every argument, as well as two interpretations.