Some characters act as intermediaries between others, helping the reader understand the nature of the characters they link. In at least two works you have studied, compare the roles of such intermediary characters, and the effects achieved.

INTRODUCTION: Intermediary characters link two other characters to portray their true nature by highlighting the two characters' similarities and differences. In F. Scott Fitzgeralds novel The Great Gatsby Nick Carraway acts as the intermediary character between Jay Gatsby and Daisy Buchanan, while Pearl acts as an intermediary character between Hester Prynne and Reverend Dimmesdale. Carraway conveys Gatsby's similarities and devotion to Daisy, while Daisy's superficiality in her true nature; resulting in their contrived relationship. Pearl also conveys Dimmesdale's weakness, contrasting Hester's strong nature, which ultimately makes her a heroine to women and the end of the romance.
PARAGRAPH 1 EXCERPT:Carraway begins the novel by establishing the fact, in the readers mind, that he (as a narrator) likes Gatsby. Despite Gatsby representing "everything for which " Nick has "an unaffected scorn" he still says that "there was something gorgeous about him". He goes on to compare him to a seismograph, "related to one of these intricate machines that register earthquakes ten thousand miles away". This metaphor is also significant to the context of the novel, the 1920s or roaring 20s where machines were a status of wealth and seen as something great as they were new developments. Carraway's biased narrative, due to his unreserved judgement, presents, Daisy Buchanan as a superficial character with very little dynamic. Carraway first addresses Daisy and her husband Tom as "tow old friends whom he scarcely knew at all" the underlying sarcasm already conveys Carraway's distaste for Daisy.

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