Nick: a reliable narrator?

Taken from Google Images

 

Based on the first three chapters of The Great Gatsby, determine whether or not you think Nick is a reliable narrator.  Give specific reasons for your assertions.

Also, discuss how Gatsby is portrayed in chapter 3.  What about his character generates more questions than answers?  Why do you suppose Fitzgerald chose to introduce his main character this manner?

"The Horror..."

"The Horror!"
Taken from Google Images

The words uttered in Kurtz's final breaths were "The horror!  The horror!" and have become one of the most famous phrases in literary history.  What do you make of Kurtz's last words?  What is the importance of them?  How they tie into the message in which Conrad was sending to readers?  Why do you suppose Marlow lied to Kurtz's Intended and told her that his last words were her name?

Heart of Darkness

Taken from Google Images.

What do you think Conrad's "Big Picture" message was when he wrote HOD?  What does this story say about good and evil?  What purpose does the title serve?