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The One Where Madison Overthinks Things

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In thinking about this week’s post, I asked several people in my life who their favorite narrators were. I don’t think that is cheating, I’m call it inspiration. I have chosen a life that inundates me with narrators, so I tried to narrow it down some by hearing what others thought. When I asked what their answer would be, I was surprised at how quickly the people in my life were able to come up with an answer. My fiance immediately said his father. My mom said James Patterson. My students ranged from Holden Caulfield to J. K. Rowling to Kendrick Lamar.

Everyone seemed to be able to choose their favorite at the drop of a hat. So why is this so hard?

I made a list of about 10 that I thought were solid responses, but I couldn’t narrow it down to one specific person. Each had their flaws or reasons that made me think they weren’t “good enough.”


So I’m ripping the bandaid off. Going with my gut. Fully understanding that my choice is valid, and that this question is subjective by nature. None of us will have the same choice. And quite honestly, mine is a little boring compared to some of my classmates.

My immediate reaction is to say that Nick Carraway is my favorite narrator. But he is moody and I sometimes find him insufferable. Other times he is poetic and mysterious, always telling one of the most heartbreaking and tragic stories. I think his complicated nature and unreliability make him my favorite. He seems more relatable to be because of these traits. We all can be moody and insufferable at times, and we also can be beautifully
complicated. Nick, as a character, admires Gatsby’s “an extraordinary gift for hope, a romantic readiness such as [he] have never found in any other person and which it is not likely [he] shall ever find again.” Despite the circumstances of Gatsby’s life, and the immorality Nick acknowledges, Gatsby still believes in something.

I’d like to think Nick’s draw to Gatsby is indicative of my being drawn to others. That someone’s belief in something great, like love or motivation or a dream, is so powerful that is is contagious. And this belief has the power to change the way I see the world. I see glimpses of myself in Carraway. I think this is why he is my favorite, and I keep coming back to his story.

Here’s my list for those who are curious:
Nick Carraway
Tyrion Lannister
Grandma Mim
Andy Cohen
Browning’s Duke from “My Last Duchess”
Nelly Dean
J. K. Rowling (surprisingly not as high as I thought she would be)
Trevor Noah
The Brothers Grimm
Shakespeare

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