The Great Gatsby: Characters

Jay Gatsby

Jay Gatsby from The Great Gatsby

Jay Gatsby, the titular character of F. Scott Fitzgerald's novel The Great Gatsby, is a complex and enigmatic figure. Throughout the book, Gatsby is portrayed as a mysterious and wealthy man who has made a fortune through shady means. However, as the story unfolds, it becomes clear that Gatsby's wealth and status are all in service of one goal: to win back his lost love, Daisy Buchanan.

Gatsby's obsession with Daisy is the driving force behind all of his actions in the novel. He throws extravagant parties in the hopes that she will attend, and when he finally reunites with her, he is so nervous and anxious that he knocks over Nick's clock. Gatsby's pursuit of Daisy is all-consuming, and he is willing to go to great lengths to win her back.

Despite his wealth and status, Gatsby is also portrayed as a lonely and isolated figure. He is constantly surrounded by people at his parties, but he remains distant and aloof, always watching and waiting for Daisy to arrive. He is also deeply secretive about his past, and even his closest confidant, Nick, only learns bits and pieces of Gatsby's history throughout the course of the novel.

Gatsby's tragic flaw is his inability to move on from his past. He is still in love with Daisy years after their initial romance, and he has built his entire life around the hope of winning her back. His desire for Daisy is so strong that he is willing to overlook her flaws and even take the blame for a crime she commits. This fixation ultimately leads to his downfall, as his attempts to win back Daisy end up causing a series of tragic events that ultimately result in his death.

Despite his flaws, however, Gatsby is also portrayed as a sympathetic character. His desire for love and acceptance is universal, and his willingness to go to great lengths to achieve his goals is admirable in its own way. He is a tragic figure, a man who has everything except the one thing he truly wants. Gatsby's character represents the American Dream gone wrong - he has achieved wealth and status, but he is still unable to find happiness and fulfillment.

Overall, Jay Gatsby is a complex and multifaceted character who embodies the themes of love, desire, and the corrupting influence of wealth and power. His obsession with Daisy drives the plot of the novel, and his tragic end serves as a warning about the dangers of clinging too tightly to the past. Despite his flaws, Gatsby is a sympathetic and compelling character who remains one of the most iconic figures in American literature.

Nick Carraway

Nick Carraway from The Great Gatsby

Throughout the novel, Nick is portrayed as a reliable and observant narrator. He provides a window into the world of the wealthy elite of the 1920s and is able to offer insights into the personalities and motivations of the other characters. Nick is also an outsider in this world, which allows him to be both critical and sympathetic towards the other characters.

Nick is a moral character who values honesty and integrity. He is critical of the excesses and superficiality of the wealthy elite, and he is not afraid to call out their hypocrisy and cruelty. However, Nick is also a compassionate character who tries to understand the motivations of the other characters, even when he disagrees with their actions.

One of Nick's defining characteristics is his sense of empathy. He is able to understand and sympathize with the pain and loneliness that Gatsby and other characters experience. For example, he recognizes the hollowness of Daisy's life and the desperation that drives Gatsby's pursuit of her. This empathy allows Nick to connect with the other characters on a deeper level and to understand their actions and motivations.

Nick's moral compass and empathy are tested throughout the novel as he becomes more deeply involved in the lives of the other characters. He becomes friends with Gatsby and is drawn into his world of wealth and excess. He also becomes romantically involved with Jordan Baker, a wealthy socialite who represents the world of privilege that Nick both admires and despises.

As the novel progresses, Nick becomes increasingly disillusioned with the wealthy elite and their shallow values. He sees the damage that their excesses and selfishness can cause, and he begins to question his own role in their world. This culminates in his decision to cut ties with the other characters and return to his Midwestern roots.

Overall, Nick Carraway in The Great Gatsby is a complex and nuanced character who serves as both a window into the world of the novel and a voice of moral authority. He is a sympathetic and compassionate character who is able to connect with the other characters on a deeper level, but he is also critical of their flaws and excesses. His journey throughout the novel serves as a commentary on the values and excesses of the wealthy elite of the 1920s, and his moral compass and empathy make him one of the most memorable characters in American literature.

Daisy Buchanan

Daisy Buchanan from The Great Gatsby

Daisy is portrayed as a beautiful and charming woman who exudes a sense of elegance and grace. She is admired by both Gatsby and Tom, who both see her as a symbol of wealth and status. However, beneath this exterior, Daisy is a complex and nuanced character.

One of Daisy's defining characteristics is her sense of fragility. She is often depicted as delicate and vulnerable, and she is prone to emotional outbursts and fits of hysteria. This fragility is a result of the pressure and expectations placed on her as a woman in the society of the 1920s. She is expected to be beautiful, graceful, and charming, but she is not given the freedom to express her own desires or pursue her own interests.

Daisy is also portrayed as a morally ambiguous character. She is not evil, but she is not entirely good either. She is selfish and self-centered, and she is willing to use her charm and beauty to get what she wants. She is also willing to ignore or overlook the immoral behavior of those around her, including her husband's infidelity and Tom's racist and misogynistic attitudes.

Despite these flaws, Daisy is a sympathetic character who is trapped in a world that limits her freedom and agency. She is unable to express her own desires or pursue her own interests, and she is forced to rely on the men in her life for protection and security. Her relationship with Gatsby is a reflection of this. She is drawn to him because he represents a sense of freedom and possibility that is absent from her life with Tom, but she is also afraid to leave the security and status that her marriage provides.

Ultimately, Daisy's tragic flaw is her inability to take responsibility for her own actions. She is content to let the men in her life make decisions for her and to use her charm and beauty to avoid confronting difficult truths. This lack of agency and accountability leads to the tragic ending of the novel, in which Gatsby dies and Daisy retreats back into her privileged and protected life with Tom.

In conclusion, Daisy Buchanan is a complex and nuanced character who serves as a symbol of the pressures and limitations placed on women in the society of the 1920s. She is beautiful and charming, but she is also fragile and morally ambiguous. Her tragic flaw is her inability to take responsibility for her own actions, which ultimately leads to the tragic ending of the novel. Despite her flaws, Daisy is a sympathetic character who is trapped in a world that limits her freedom and agency, and her story serves as a commentary on the gender roles and power dynamics of the society of the 1920s.

Tom Buchanan

Tom Buchanan from The Great Gatsby

In The Great Gatsby, Tom Buchanan is a symbol of the corruption and decay of the American Dream in the 1920s. He inherited his wealth and status from his family, and he uses his power to maintain his position in society and to assert his dominance over others. He is dismissive of those he deems beneath him, including people of different races and social classes, and he uses his privilege to perpetuate the systemic inequalities of the era.

Despite his wealth and status, Tom is deeply unhappy and dissatisfied with his life. He is married to Daisy, but he is also having an affair with Myrtle Wilson, a working-class woman from the Valley of Ashes. His affair with Myrtle is a reflection of his desire for power and control, as he enjoys exerting his influence over those he deems inferior to him. However, his affair also reveals his own moral corruption and his willingness to break social norms and moral codes for his own pleasure.

Tom's character is also defined by his fear of change and his obsession with maintaining the status quo. He is resistant to the social and cultural changes of the 1920s, including the rise of the New Money class and the erosion of traditional gender and class roles. He sees these changes as a threat to his power and privilege, and he uses his influence to maintain the existing social order.

Despite his many flaws, Tom is a complex character who elicits both fear and pity from the reader. His fear of change and his obsession with maintaining the status quo reflect the anxieties and insecurities of the old money elite in the 1920s. His affair with Myrtle is a reflection of his own moral corruption and his willingness to break social norms for his own pleasure. His racism and misogyny are a product of the systemic inequalities of the era, and they serve as a reminder of the enduring legacy of oppression and discrimination in American society.

In conclusion, Tom Buchanan is a complex and nuanced character who serves as a symbol of the corruption and decay of the American Dream in the 1920s. He is a wealthy and influential man who uses his power to maintain the existing social order and to exert his dominance over others. His fear of change and his obsession with maintaining the status quo reflect the anxieties and insecurities of the old money elite, while his racism and misogyny are a product of the systemic inequalities of the era. Despite his many flaws, Tom is a character who elicits both fear and pity from the reader, and his story serves as a powerful commentary on the enduring legacy of oppression and discrimination in American society.

Jordan Baker

Jordan Baker from The Great Gatsby

Jordan Baker is a self-assured, sophisticated, and competitive young woman. She represents the modern, independent woman of the 1920s who challenged traditional gender roles. She is confident in her golfing abilities and often flaunts her achievements. Jordan is also a bit of a gossip, and she enjoys discussing the lives of others. However, she is not malicious and does not seem to intend any harm. She is just curious and likes to be in the know.

Jordan plays a significant role in the novel as a romantic interest for Nick Carraway. She is his first girlfriend since coming back from the war, and he finds her to be an alluring and fascinating woman. Jordan, on the other hand, is attracted to Nick's reserved and cautious demeanor. They share similar personalities, and they both prefer to keep their feelings private. However, their relationship is complicated by Nick's growing infatuation with Daisy, which leads to their eventual break up.

Jordan's character is also significant in terms of the novel's themes. She represents the pursuit of pleasure and the rejection of traditional values. Her carefree attitude and her lack of commitment to others mirror the attitudes of the other characters in the novel, who are all seeking to satisfy their desires, regardless of the consequences. Her relationship with Nick is short-lived, and it serves to highlight the fleeting nature of relationships during the Roaring Twenties.

Jordan's relationship with Daisy is also essential in the novel. They are good friends, and Jordan often acts as a confidant to Daisy. However, their friendship is superficial, and they do not share a deep emotional connection. Jordan is aware of Daisy's affair with Gatsby, but she does not confront her friend about it. Her silence demonstrates the lack of loyalty and commitment that characterizes the relationships in the novel.

In conclusion, Jordan Baker is a complex and intriguing character in The Great Gatsby. She represents the modern woman of the 1920s, who challenges traditional gender roles and values. Her confident and independent personality contrasts with the other characters' insecurity and conformity. Although her relationship with Nick is short-lived, it serves to highlight the fleeting nature of relationships during the Roaring Twenties. Jordan's character is an essential part of the novel's exploration of the pursuit of pleasure and the rejection of traditional values.

Myrtle Wilson

Myrtle Wilson is a pivotal character in F. Scott Fitzgerald’s novel, The Great Gatsby. Although she is not one of the main characters, her presence throughout the novel influences the plot and provides insight into the social classes and relationships of the 1920s.

Myrtle is first introduced in Chapter 2 when Nick accompanies Tom to the Valley of Ashes, where Myrtle lives with her husband George. Myrtle, who is dissatisfied with her life and marriage, is portrayed as a materialistic woman who longs for a luxurious lifestyle. She appears to be opportunistic and shallow, as she immediately becomes enamored with Tom's wealth and status. Tom takes advantage of Myrtle's interest and starts an affair with her, using her for his own pleasure without any consideration for her feelings or well-being.

Myrtle's obsession with Tom and the lavish lifestyle he represents are revealed in Chapter 2 when she buys a puppy and a new dress, both of which Tom provides for her. She also insists that Tom buys her a dog leash, which she wears as a necklace, symbolizing her desire to be controlled by him. This shows her willingness to compromise her dignity and self-respect in order to attain the material possessions she believes will bring her happiness.

In Chapter 3 of The Great Gatsby, Myrtle is invited to attend one of Gatsby's parties in West Egg. During the party, Myrtle becomes drunk and confronts Tom about his marriage, revealing to the guests that she is his mistress. Tom becomes angry and violent, hitting her and breaking her nose, exposing his abusive nature. This scene highlights the extreme power dynamic between Myrtle and Tom, as well as Tom's cruelty and hypocrisy.

Myrtle's death in Chapter 7 is the result of her being accidentally struck by Gatsby's car, driven by Daisy. Her death is symbolic of the consequences of the immoral actions of those who seek to rise above their social class without regard for the consequences of their actions. Her death also marks the end of the relationship between Tom and Daisy, as Tom is devastated by the loss of his mistress.

Overall, Myrtle is portrayed as a tragic character who is used and discarded by those around her. She is a victim of the society in which she lives, where wealth and status are valued above all else. Her obsession with material possessions and her desire to escape her social class ultimately lead to her downfall. Fitzgerald uses Myrtle's character to criticize the values of the time and to show the destructive nature of the pursuit of the American Dream.

George Wilson

George Wilson is a minor character in The Great Gatsby. However, his role is significant as he serves as a symbol of the American Dream gone wrong. George is the owner of a garage in the Valley of Ashes, he is a hardworking man, but his dreams of success and a better life are crushed by the corrupt and immoral people he encounters.

At the beginning of the novel, George is described as "spiritless and anemic," and he appears to be in a loveless marriage with his wife Myrtle. George is a simple man who is content with his life but is unaware of his wife's infidelity with Tom Buchanan. When Myrtle is killed in a hit-and-run accident, George is consumed by grief and a desire for revenge. He spends his last moments on Earth trying to find the driver responsible for his wife's death, believing it to be Gatsby, and ultimately killing himself.

George is a tragic figure, and his character is used by Fitzgerald to show the dark side of the American Dream. Unlike Gatsby, who pursues his dreams with passion and determination, George is a victim of the Dream. He is unable to escape his poverty and is at the mercy of those who have achieved success. He is a symbol of the working-class people who are often forgotten and left behind in the pursuit of wealth and status.

In addition to representing the American Dream gone wrong, George also serves as a contrast to the other male characters in the novel. Unlike Tom and Gatsby, who are wealthy and have achieved some level of success, George is poor and struggles to make ends meet. He is a stark contrast to the lavish lifestyles of the other characters, highlighting the vast divide between the rich and poor in America during the 1920s.

Overall, George Wilson is a tragic character who represents the darker side of the American Dream. His struggle to achieve success and his eventual demise are a commentary on the corrupt and immoral nature of the society portrayed in The Great Gatsby. Through his character, Fitzgerald highlights the flaws and failures of the American Dream, reminding us that success and happiness are not always attainable, even for those who work hard and do everything right.

Owl Eyes

Owl Eyes is a minor character in The Great Gatsby, but his appearance in the novel is significant as he serves as a symbol of the disillusionment and emptiness of the Roaring Twenties. He is first introduced at Gatsby's extravagant party, where he is described as a "spectacled owl-eyed man" who is surprised to learn that Gatsby's books are real.

Owl Eyes is a symbol of the decline of culture and the pursuit of pleasure and materialism in the 1920s. His fascination with Gatsby's books reflects the lack of intellectual depth and substance in the society portrayed in the novel. His character represents those who are lost and disillusioned in the face of the excess and extravagance of the Jazz Age.

Despite his brief appearance in the novel, Owl Eyes plays a significant role in highlighting the hollowness of the society depicted in The Great Gatsby. His disillusionment and skepticism towards the opulent lifestyle of the wealthy characters serves as a stark contrast to their hedonistic attitudes and frivolous pursuits. He is a reminder that, beneath the glitz and glamour of the Roaring Twenties, there is a lack of substance and meaning that ultimately leads to a sense of emptiness and despair.

In conclusion, Owl Eyes serves as a symbol of the disillusionment and hollowness of the society portrayed in The Great Gatsby. His fascination with Gatsby's books and his skepticism towards the extravagant lifestyle of the wealthy characters highlight the lack of intellectual depth and substance in the Jazz Age. His character is a powerful reminder that, beneath the surface, there is a sense of emptiness and despair that accompanies the pursuit of pleasure and materialism.

Klipspringer

Klipspringer is a minor character in The Great Gatsby who is often overlooked. He is a frequent guest at Gatsby's parties, and despite being referred to as the "boarder," he seems to have made himself at home in Gatsby's mansion.

Klipspringer is a symbol of the parasitic nature of the guests at Gatsby's parties. He is often described as "the piano man," playing music and singing for the guests, but he never contributes anything meaningful to the conversations or events taking place at the parties. He is simply there to enjoy the luxurious surroundings and the company of other wealthy guests.

Klipspringer's presence at Gatsby's parties highlights the superficiality and emptiness of the society depicted in the novel. He represents those who are content to live off the wealth and generosity of others without contributing anything of value in return. His character serves as a reminder that, for many of the characters in The Great Gatsby, the pursuit of pleasure and materialism is more important than genuine human connection or moral values.

Meyer Wolfsheim

Meyer Wolfsheim is a minor character in The Great Gatsby, but his presence is significant. He is portrayed as a shady and mysterious figure with alleged connections to organized crime. Wolfsheim is introduced as Gatsby's business associate, who helped him accumulate his wealth through unspecified means.

Wolfsheim's character represents the corrupt and criminal side of the society depicted in the novel. He symbolizes the dark underbelly of the American Dream, which suggests that success can be achieved through any means necessary, regardless of their moral implications. Wolfsheim's presence serves to illustrate the moral decay and corruption of the society in which the characters live.

Furthermore, Wolfsheim also plays a significant role in Gatsby's story. He is suspected of being involved in Gatsby's criminal activities, and he is also rumored to have been responsible for fixing the 1919 World Series. Wolfsheim's character, therefore, adds to the mystery and intrigue surrounding Gatsby's past and his rise to wealth and power. Overall, Wolfsheim's character serves as a reminder of the darker aspects of the American Dream and the moral compromises that are often made in the pursuit of success.