Nick does perceive Gatsby as a great individual. He sees all that Gatsby has accomplished and creates this grand image of him in his mind. When Nick learns all that Gatsby has done, he still thinks that Gatsby deserves that title. Money and Power, by the end of the book, Nick finally sees can't buy happiness. He believes Gatsby deserves the title because of his confidence, hope for the future, and charm. Not because he worked his entire life and had a fortune to spend. In the end, because of Gatsby's death, mediocre Nick did win.
Assuredly when mediocre Nick came to West Egg, Long Island, he was just a normal guy, with an average house, car, and job. He came to West Egg, starting his dream to make something for himself in the bond business that he could be proud of. Nick, who wanted all of the luxuries of being wealthy, liked Gatsby. Nick originally thinks of him as being very grand because of how much money he has, the extravagant parties he throws, all that he has accomplished, and Gatsby's behemoth ability to make what he desires a reality. Nick learns that the Jay Gatsby he knew came from the image that Gatsby wanted everyone to see. Gatsby would do anything to complete his greatest goal, to have a wealthy successful life and have everyone love and respect him. Although he accomplished this goal, it came with the price of weakness.
The fact remains that Gatsby's desire to give people the idea that he was a great man led to some of his weaknesses. He built up the image of a strong, confident, powerful man. The problem? He had to show a weaker side when he began to chase after Daisy. At the same time he also had to make everyone keep thinking he was still a powerful individual. Chasing after Daisy showed a less able side of him because he had to get her away from Tom, then woo her over with whatever he could think of, even resolving to criminal acts if that would get him more money and a higher social standing. Although his infinite optimism did turn him into a so-called “great” man, I am not sure that using illegal acts qualifies this. Doing immoral deeds such as this enfeebles a person's soul. The “Dark Path” of a life as Yoda would have called it, tends to be easier than the path of the light. When a person's life is easier than the average schmuck, it isn't as fulfilling, so your conscience tells you that this is wrong, but you keep doing it because doing what is easy is easier than what is right. Once Cody died - Gatsby followed this unfulfilling path consistently to the end of his life and he was tired. Compared to his mediocre counterpart Nick, he was not all that great.
In addition, mediocrity did win. In my opinion, Gatsby had some bad karma, and Nick turned out to be the greater man by the end of the novel. “The Gatz” owned incredible optimism for the future, determination for what he wanted, and intelligence on how to get it. Unfortunately, his bad and sometimes evil ways brought his character down to a wicked level. So was Gatsby really a great man? Sometimes it can be hard to tell.
