The Great Gatsby: Character & Key Quotes: Owl Eyes

Introduction to the Character:

Owl Eyes is a derelict guest at Gatsby’s extravagances that seems to see through and understand the hollowness and show of Gatsby’s parties. His character, though minor, provides piercing insights about Gatsby and his world, thereby earning him the fitting name - “Owl Eyes”.

Key Descriptions:

“I’ve been drunk for about a week now, and I thought it might sober me up to sit in a library.” Owl Eyes’s drunken state is indicative of the reckless indulgence characterising Gatsby’s parties; his sarcastic remark about the library sobering him up underscores the absurdity of the surrounding opulence.
“He had been looking at Gatsby with open curiosity until now, and even more than before he stared — with that peculiarly unreal feeling that accompanies the recognition of a hitherto ghostly celebrity of the movies.” Owl Eyes does not shy away from displaying his fascination and curiosity for Gatsby, treating him as a spectacle, demonstrating his ability to see beyond the facades.
“He snatched the book from me and replaced it hastily on its shelf muttering that if one brick was removed the whole library was liable to collapse.” This suggests Owl Eyes’s recognition of the precarious nature of Gatsby’s constructed persona and material wealth, emphasising on the superficial nature of his world.

Introductions to Themes:

“I’ve been drunk for about a week now, and I thought it might sober me up to sit in a library.” Beyond its humour, this statement indicates the escapism and excess that characterises the upper class in the 1920s.
“See!” he cried triumphantly…God’s truth about himself, although…opens at the wrong end.” The books in Gatsby’s library, real but unread, represent the illusion of intellect and culture Gatsby has created, epitomising the theme of illusion versus reality.

Use of Symbolism:

“I was immediately struck by the number of gigantic eyes.” Much like the all-seeing eyes of Dr. T.J. Eckleberg, Owl Eyes represents the judgemental gaze observing Gatsby’s life and actions, providing a moral framework for the narrative.
“Owl eyes sat on the couch next to Gatsby, unblinking…“ The unblinking stare of Owl Eyes mirrors the unchanging and unwavering pursuit of wealth and status in the society depicted in the novel.
“You’re worth the whole damn bunch put together,” Owl Eyes tells Nick. The compliments directed towards Nick, and his noticeable respect for Gatsby’s persona, hint at the notion of authenticity in a world dominated by artificiality and pretence.