The Great Gatsby

Are there any little white lies?

If so, what are they and was there a bad outcome from it?

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The "little white lies" in "The Great Gatsby" are so minute in comparison with the "big lies," that they almost get lost in the translation. Gatsby lies by evasion, not direct lies, but still lies.... Jordan tells lies about things as little as leaving the top down on a rental car (she did), a small dishonesty compared to her cheating. Nick, our narrator, lies about being honest, “Everyone suspects himself of at least one of the cardinal virtues, and this is mine: I am one of the few honest people that I have ever known.” No one is perfect, and no one is completely honest all the time.... but that's his "little white lie." I hope these examples help you with your assignment.

Source(s)

The Great Gatsby

Thanks this did help, but are there any that someone told just to make someone feel better or to not hurt someone's feelings?

Hmmmm, I've never thought about that aspect. Let me check for you.

My first thoughts turn to Daisy. She knows her husband is having an affair, but she doesn't admit it, and she doesn't question it. Thus, she's lying to herself... to make herself feel better.

There is also this early exchange between Daisy and Nick;

“You see I think everything’s terrible anyhow,” she went on in a convinced way. “Everybody thinks so — the most advanced people. And I know, I’ve been everywhere and seen everything and done everything.” Her eyes flashed around her in a defiant way, rather like Tom’s, and she laughed with thrilling scorn. “Sophisticated — God, I’m sophisticated!”

The instant her voice broke off, ceasing to compel my attention, my belief, I felt the basic insincerity of what she had said. It made me uneasy, as though the whole evening had been a trick of some sort to exact a contributory emotion from me."

Source(s)

The Great Gatsby

Thanks!