nick back to the party 'as if with ropes' conveys his helpless struggle to get away from the gathering in tom and myrtle's apartment at the same time that it dramatizes his fascination with the inebriated and adulterous events that are occuring. The reader can see that much as ropes confine,restrain, and render one helpless,nick due perhaps to a lack of experience or a flawed moral code,remains discomfited yet seems underable to confront or reject the lies and pretenses of the party guests.this is significant because the reader must question nick's declaration that he is tolerant and honest