Characters |
Jay Gatsby
The title character and protagonist of the novel, Gatsby is a wealthy young man living in a Gothic mansion in West Egg. He is famously know for the lavish parties he throws every Saturday night. No one knows where he comes from, what he does, or how he made his fortune. Most at the party have spoke to or seen Gatsby. As the novel progresses, Nick (His now next door neighbour) learns that Gatsby was born James Gatz on a farm in North Dakota. He was working for a millionaire, which made him dedicate his life to the achievement of wealth. The old rich do not like Gatsby because of his new way of achieving his high class status. Gatsby fell for Daisy (Nick’s cousin) back when he was training in Louisville before leaving to fight in World War I in 1917. Gatsby had to lie to Daisy about his background of wealth, once he was back from war, he dedicated his life to winning back Daisy. Nick learns that gatsby made his current fortune through criminal activity, to gain his social power and to win Daisy over. Nick views Gatsby as a deeply flawed man, dishonest and vulgar, whose extraordinary optimism and power to transform his dreams into reality make him “great” but nothing. Gatsby is constantly surrounded by people, but is ultimately alone.
Nick Carraway
The novel's narrator, who is a young man from Minnesota. He moves to New York to learn business, having been educated at Yale. Moving into the Long Island area that is for the newly rich, Nick is honest, tolerant. And is inclined to reserve judgment. He also reveals his dislike for the East Egg. Once he moved to the West Egg, he quickly finds an interest in Gatsby, his next door neighbor. Nick is a writer and begins to watch Gatsby and the romance between Gatsby and Daisy Buchanan, Nick’s cousin. The Great Gatsby is told entirely through Nick’s eyes, shaping and coloring the story.
Daisy Buchanan
Daisy is the cousin of Nick, the wife of Tom, and has a romance with Jay Gatsby. She fell in love with Gatsby before he left to war, and promised to wait for him. However, Daisy craves and needs to be loved. Her need overtook her when she met a wealthy young man,Tom Buchanan. They married and she has lived in Toms shadow, as she is unable to express her feelings. Daisy lives across from Gatsby on the Easy Egg, where Gatsby can see their light at night.
Tom Buchanan
Daisy’s very wealthy husband, who was a member of Nick’s social club at Yale. Tom has a cruel body type, aggressive, and very short tempered. He comes from a solid old family, whose attitudes are mixed with racism and sexism. Tom feels no moral setbacks about his affair with Myrtle, but when he suspects Daisy having an affair with Gatsby he becomes outraged and forces confrontation. Tom shadows Daisy, as she lives unhappily alongside of him.
Myrtle Wilson
Myrtle is Tom’s mistress, and is Wilson’s wife. She is seen as attractive, but is also stocky in figure. Myrtle is Mid 30’s, has a dog and apartment but is not of high class. She is an annoying drinker, and is left with a broken nose from tom. She presents herself as desperate and untrustworthy. In her apartment she changes her dress (costume) leading to her not being trustworthy since she wears a costume.
George Wilson
Myrtle’s husband who is lifeless and exhausted. He is the owner of a run-down auto shop at the edge of the valley of ashes. George loves and idealizes Myrtle, and is devastated when learning about her affair with Tom. George is consumed with grief when Myrtle is killed. George is comparable to Gatsby in that both are dreamers and both are ruined by their unrequited love for women who love Tom.
Meyer Wolfsheim
Gatsby’s friend, a known figure in organized crime. Before the events of the novel take place, Wolfsheim helped Gatsby to make his fortune bootlegging illegal liquor. His continued relationship with Gatsby suggests that Gatsby is still involved in illegal business, and possible crime activities.
Jordan Baker
Daisy’s friend, a woman with whom Nick becomes romantically involved with. She is a competitive golfer and cheated in order to win her first golf tournament and continues to bends the truth. Jordan represents one of the “new women” of the 1920's. Jordan is beautiful, but also very dishonest. She cheated in order to win her first golf tournament and continually bends the truth.
Mr. Gatz
Father of Jay Gatsby. Comes from the Midwest to bury his son. Gatz serves as a very tangible reminder of Gatsby's humble heritage and roots. One of the few to come after Gatsby's death.
Pammy Buchanan
Toddler daughter of Tom and Daisy Buchanan. She makes little appearances, but the reader is aware of her presence.
Catherine
Sister of Myrtle Wilson who is aware of her sister's secret life and willing to partake of its benefits.
Michaelis
Wilson's neighbor who comforts Wilson after Myrtle is killed. One of the few charitable people to be found in the novel.
Ewing Klipspringer
The freeloader who seems almost to live at Gatsby’s mansion, taking advantage of his host’s money. When Gatsby dies, Klipspringer disappears and he does not attend the funeral, but he does call Nick about a pair of tennis shoes that he left at Gatsby’s mansion.
Dan Cody
Mentor of Jay Gatsby,who took Gatsby under his wing when Gatsby was a young man and taught him much about living adventurously and pursuing dreams.