The story of self-discovery is narrated by Nick Caraway in The Great Gatsby by F. Scott Fitzgerald. Nick attends a number of Gatsbys parties along with many other people who thrive off of rumors and gossip. As partygoers, Owl Eyes and Klipspringer represent two extremes of character: Owl Eyes portrays the very fewincluding Nick who are invited to Gatsbys parties and acknowledge Gatsby as a real person; on the other hand, Klipspringer, like the rest of the partygoer population, is very shallow and takes advantage of Gatsbys generosity. The epitome of their personalities proves true on the day of Gatsbys funeral as only those who considerate attend.
Although his appearances are few, Owl Eyes clearly demonstrates his practical view of Gatsby from beginning to end. He is introduced to the readers at the first Gatsby party that Nick attends, and is described as a stout, middle-aged man, with enormous owl-eyed spectacles (p 45). Nick and Jordan find him in Gatsbys large library [wheeling] excitedly around very anxious to show them as soon as they entered that the books in the library were absolutely real (p 45).
Owl Eyes gives the impression that the library intrigues him not only with the books, but also with Gatsbys legitimacy. The thoroughness and realism (p 46) of Gatsbys books supports the sincerity of Gatsbys personality and also helps Nick and to see an honest aspect of Gatsby even before they meet. Owl Eyes does not appear again until Gatsbys funeral, showing the dedication of his interest and sympathy for Gatsbys realism.
Contrasting Owl Eyes opinion of Gatsby, Klipspringer not only takes advantage of Gatsby, but also thinks of him as a mere idea and fails to acknowledge his death, thus showing no real feelings for him. Klipspringer is introduced to the readers as the boarder (p 63) at Gatsbys house, for he seems to never leave before or after parties and is there so often and so long (p 63). The readers later see him as a disheveled man in pajamas.
He could be best characterized as a freeloader who wander[s] hungrily (p 91) hoping to receive something generous from Gatsby, though he proves he does not think fondly of Gatsby. After playing the piano for a small group, Klipspringer searched unhappily for Gatsby in the gloom (p 95). Later in the novel, after Gatsbys death, Nick recalls that he was one of those who used to sneer most bitterly at Gatsby on the courage of Gatsbys liquor (p169). This statement made by Nick depicts Klipspringer for who he truly is: a scrounger who uses Gatsby for his kindness.
The true nature of the characters is revealed after Gatsbys death at the funeral. Nick calls Klipspringer, a potential attendee, but his invitation was rejected, and Klipspringer brushed off the subject of the funeral in a suspicious tone; instead, he insensitively asked about a pair of shoes [he] left there (p 169). Nick then goes on to describe a certain shame for Gatsby (p 169) demonstrating his compassion for him. Although Nick waited for half an hour at the start of the ceremony, he soon finds that nobody came (p 174).
Like the extremely large majority of those who attend Gatsbys parties, Klipspringer and Meyer Wolfsheim go on living their lives, not at all concerned with Gatsbys death. When confronting a Jewess, Nick receives an untrue statement that Mr. Wolfsheims gone to Chicago (p 170), but when Mr. Wolfsheim reveals himself, a conversation full of excuses follows.
He states that he cant get mixed up in it (p 171). Diverging from the large majority, Owl Eyes, Nick, and even Mr. Gatz attend, showing their love or admiration for Gatsby. Nick shows the most dedication towards Gatsby, for he arranged virtually the whole funeral, and put the most effort into inviting people. Mr. Gatz made an unexpected appearance at the estate, as it is obvious that his pride in his son and in his sons possessions was continually increasing (p 172) during his visit. Other than pride, pity was also demonstrated at the funeral through Owl Eyes.
While Nick and Owl Eyes spoke by the gate Owl Eyes took off his glasses and referred to Gatsby as the poor son-of-a-b*tch, because nearly everybody took advantage of Gatsby and it seemed he never cared, for he had a separate agenda (p 175). Regardless, Owl Eyes, Nick, and Mr. Gatz display their consideration as they stand in the rain, all wet to the skin (p 174) to give their respect to Gatsby. Death can bring together the people who loved the one who passed, but also clearly highlights those who do not.
Although Nick did not know Gatsby at the beginning of the novel, he developed a fond knowledge and acquaintance for Gatsby. Owl Eyes aided in this development as he initially pointed out the most genuine things about Gatsby. On the other hand, Klipspringer never fully acknowledges Gatsbys presence as a human being, but rather using him without respecting him. Similar to Klipspringer, Tom and Daisy also fail to attend Gatsbys funeral, which shows that they were [all] careless people (p 179). The juxtaposition of Owl Eyes and Klipspringer most vividly shows the different perspectives of Gatsby as a real person in comparison with an idea.
