The Great Gatsby Characters
The main characters in The Great Gatsby are Jay Gatsby, Nick Carraway, Daisy and Tom Buchanan, and Jordan Baker.
- Jay Gatsby, born James Gatz, is a now-wealthy bootlegger in love with Daisy.
- Nick Carraway is the narrator of the novel. He befriends Gatsby and assists him in meeting Daisy.
- Daisy Buchanan is Nick’s cousin and the former lover of Gatsby.
- Tom Buchanan is Daisy’s domineering, patrician husband. He is having an affair.
-
Jordan Baker is Daisy's lifelong friend and a professional golfer. She and Nick strike up a romance.
Characters
Jay Gatsby
Jay Gatsby, originally James Gatz, epitomizes the American Dream, rising from poverty to amass tremendous wealth. Born to indigent parents in the Midwest, he is a man of profound ambition and romantic ideals. As a young man, he forges his destiny when he crosses paths with Dan Cody, a wealthy miner. Cody becomes Gatsby's mentor, offering a glimpse into a life of opulence and materialism. Despite his crime-tinged wealth, Gatsby maintains an air of mystery and charm, hosting grand parties while remaining largely unknown to his guests. His sole motivation is to regain the love of Daisy Buchanan, a woman he met and fell in love with before going off to war.
Daisy's allure for Gatsby symbolizes the ultimate prize of his dream, yet it is intertwined with the inherent tragedy of his quest. To be near her, he purchases a mansion in West Egg, organizing extravagant gatherings in hopes of attracting her attention. His wealth, however, obtained through illicit activities, cannot mask his deep-seated insecurity nor bridge the social divide that separates him from the established elite of East Egg. In the end, Gatsby's undying commitment to his dream and his idealization of Daisy lead to his tragic downfall. Even in death, Gatsby remains an enigmatic figure, defined by his relentless pursuit of an unattainable vision.
Nick Carraway
Nick Carraway serves as the novel's perceptive narrator. A Midwesterner who moves to New York to sell bonds, he resides in a modest cottage adjacent to Gatsby's opulent estate. Nick's upbringing instilled in him a moral compass, making him both a witness and a participant in the moral complexities of the wealth-driven world he inhabits. As Daisy Buchanan's cousin, he becomes a pivotal connection between Gatsby and Daisy, facilitating their reunion.
Nick's interactions with the novel's characters reveal his introspective nature and his role as the story's moral center. He navigates the social circles of East and West Egg with a discerning eye, recognizing both the allure and the hollowness of their lifestyles. Despite being drawn to Jordan Baker, he eventually sees through her facade of detachment. Throughout the narrative, Nick's honesty and idealism stand in stark contrast to the corruption and superficiality surrounding him. He concludes that Gatsby, despite his flaws, is "better than the whole rotten bunch," symbolizing the purity of his dream against the backdrop of societal decay.
Daisy Buchanan
Daisy Buchanan, the object of Gatsby's desire, is a "golden girl" born into affluence and beauty. Her charm captivates the men around her, yet beneath her enchanting exterior lies an unhappy cynicism. Married to the unfaithful Tom Buchanan, she expresses a wistful hope for her daughter to be a "beautiful fool," reflecting her own disillusionment with her life of privilege. Daisy represents the idealized upper class, yet she is incapable of genuine love, driven instead by self-preservation and material comforts.
Daisy's allure is both her weapon and her shield, using her captivating voice and social standing to navigate her world. Her involvement with Gatsby rekindles a past romance, yet when faced with the reality of Tom's accusations and the accident that claims Myrtle Wilson's life, she retreats into the safety of her established life with Tom. In the end, Daisy's carelessness and self-centeredness contribute to Gatsby's demise, as she allows him to assume responsibility for her actions without remorse.
Tom Buchanan
Tom Buchanan, Daisy's husband, represents the brute force and moral corruption of the privileged class. Once a collegiate athlete of note, he now embodies the arrogance and entitlement of inherited wealth. Tom's physical power is matched by his intellectual shallowness and lack of moral restraint. He engages in a public affair with Myrtle Wilson, manifesting his disdain for both his wife and those beneath him socially.
Tom's interactions are marked by insensitivity and a sense of superiority, characteristics that manifest destructively. His manipulations lead George Wilson to believe Gatsby is responsible for Myrtle's death, directly causing Gatsby's murder. Tom's actions reveal his cowardice and inability to confront the consequences of his misdeeds, leaving others to pay the price for his indiscretions.
Jordan Baker
Jordan Baker, a professional golfer and Daisy Buchanan's friend, is a fixture of the East Egg social scene. Her initial allure for Nick Carraway lies in her detached demeanor and apparent sophistication. However, beneath her polished surface lies a consistent thread of dishonesty and self-interest. Her engagement with Nick is characterized by a lack of emotional depth, reflecting her broader disengagement from genuine human connections.
In many ways, Jordan epitomizes the carefree, reckless spirit of the Jazz Age. Her involvement in a golf cheating scandal underscores her moral flexibility, while her interactions with Nick ultimately reveal her inability to form lasting, meaningful relationships. Jordan's character reflects the broader moral ambiguity and superficiality of the novel's social milieu.
Myrtle Wilson
Myrtle Wilson, Tom Buchanan's mistress, is a woman of lower social standing who aspires to greater wealth and status. Her relationship with Tom provides her with the illusion of social elevation, despite the demeaning nature of the affair. She is characterized by her vitality and physicality, which stand in stark contrast to George Wilson, her spiritless husband.
Myrtle's pursuit of affluence and the world it represents ultimately leads to her tragic end. Her death is a catalyst for the novel's climax, revealing the destructive power dynamics at play within the Buchanan household. Her demise also exposes the double standards and callousness of the social elite, who remain largely unscathed by the chaos they incite.
George Wilson
George Wilson stands as a tragic figure in the novel, representing the plight of the working class. A garage owner in the Valley of Ashes, he is depicted as pale and lifeless, yet clinging to hope for a better future. His love for Myrtle is genuine, though ultimately unfulfilled as he grapples with the realization of her infidelity.
George's tragedy is compounded by his misguided faith in Tom Buchanan, whom he believes to be a confidant rather than an antagonist. The manipulation he suffers at Tom's hands leads him to murder Gatsby, mistakenly believing him responsible for Myrtle's death. George's actions underscore the novel's themes of misplaced trust and the destructive consequences of deception.
Meyer Wolfsheim
Meyer Wolfsheim, Gatsby's underworld associate, embodies the criminal element that lurks beneath Gatsby's glamorous facade. Based on the historical figure Arnold Rothstein, Wolfsheim is credited with fixing the 1919 World Series, highlighting his deep entrenchment in organized crime. His reluctance to attend Gatsby's funeral underscores his self-serving nature and lack of true loyalty.
Wolfsheim's presence in the novel provides insight into the darker underpinnings of Gatsby's wealth. While Gatsby is portrayed as a tragic dreamer, Wolfsheim represents the pragmatic and ruthless side of the American Dream—a side that exploits and discards those around him.
Owl Eyes
Owl Eyes is a minor but symbolically significant character in the novel, providing a moment of clarity amidst the illusionary world of Gatsby's parties. When he discovers that Gatsby's books are real but uncut, he recognizes the authenticity behind the facade. This revelation mirrors Gatsby's own complex nature—genuine in his aspirations yet rooted in fantasy.
Owl Eyes serves as a witness to Gatsby's life and death, attending the sparsely populated funeral. His role underscores the novel's theme of perception versus reality, as well as the isolation that accompanies Gatsby's pursuit of his dream.
Expert Q&A
Compare and contrast Daisy and Myrtle in The Great Gatsby. What is Fitzgerald revealing?
Though Daisy and Myrtle in The Great Gatsby appear vastly different, due to factors such as their differences in classes and backgrounds, they are greatly alike, as is exhibited by their materialism, affairs with other men, dissatisfaction with sharing Tom, toleration of abuse, and more.
Did any characters in The Great Gatsby cheat on their spouses or partners?
In The Great Gatsby, both Tom and Daisy Buchanan cheat on each other. Tom has an affair with Myrtle Wilson, while Daisy rekindles a romance with Jay Gatsby, visiting him frequently. Additionally, Nick Carraway, despite having a girlfriend back home, shows romantic interest in Jordan Baker, indicating a minor episode of infidelity.
Which main characters in The Great Gatsby are dynamic and which are static?
In The Great Gatsby, dynamic characters include Nick Carraway, who becomes disillusioned with the wealthy lifestyle, and George Wilson, who transforms from meek to vengeful. Static characters include Tom Buchanan, who remains arrogant; Daisy Buchanan, who stays superficial; Jordan Baker, who remains unattached; Myrtle Wilson, who clings to her dreams; and Jay Gatsby, who remains hopeful about Daisy.
How old are Myrtle Wilson, George, and Gatsby in The Great Gatsby?
Myrtle Wilson is described as being in her middle-thirties, while George Wilson's age is not specified but inferred to be between his middle and late thirties. Jay Gatsby is explicitly stated to be a year or two over thirty. Although the novel hints that other characters are around the same age as Gatsby, Myrtle and George's exact ages are not definitively given.
What adjectives describe Daisy, Tom, and Jordan in The Great Gatsby?
In The Great Gatsby, Daisy, Tom, and Jordan are described as shallow and wealthy, prioritizing their desires over loyalty or morality. Tom is characterized as arrogant, abrasive, racist, and cruel. Daisy is intelligent, flirtatious, dissatisfied, weak, and practical, often taking the easy way out. Jordan is enigmatic, dishonest, and emotionally unflappable, maintaining a cool demeanor amidst chaos. All three are socially privileged and comfortable in their elite circles.
In The Great Gatsby, compare the characters Gatsby and Myrtle Wilson.
Gatsby and Myrtle Wilson both strive to ascend the social ladder despite their humble origins. Gatsby engages in criminal activities to achieve wealth and status, while Myrtle becomes Tom Buchanan's mistress, hoping for marriage. Gatsby is more successful financially, living in luxury, whereas Myrtle is dependent on Tom's whims. Ultimately, both fall victim to the materialistic society they longed to join, dying as part of their tragic pursuits.
In The Great Gatsby, how are Daisy and Gatsby similar and different?
Daisy and Gatsby share similarities, such as experiencing intense emotions during their reunion and enjoying irritating Tom. Both are associated with cheaters, like Jordan Baker and Meyer Wolfsheim. However, they differ in patience and care. Daisy lacked the patience to wait for Gatsby during the war and married Tom, while Gatsby was willing to wait. Unlike the "careless" Daisy, Gatsby is meticulous and does not exploit others, contrasting with Daisy's and Tom's recklessness.
How are Gatsby and George Wilson alike in The Great Gatsby?
Gatsby and George Wilson share a detachment from reality in The Great Gatsby, driven by illusory visions. Gatsby is obsessed with reclaiming past romance with Daisy Buchanan, while Wilson fails to see his wife's infidelity and misinterprets the billboard of Dr. T. J. Eckleburg as divine. Both are destroyed by their ties to the wealthy Tom Buchanan, and dedicate their lives to women, ultimately leading to their tragic ends.
Which characters from The Great Gatsby fit different character descriptions?
In The Great Gatsby, Jordan Baker and Myrtle are flat characters. Jordan remains an egocentric socialite throughout, and Myrtle is depicted as an obnoxious, party-loving woman. Nick Carraway is the most dynamic character, evolving from being torn between allure and repulsion of the rich lifestyle to becoming more cynical and returning to a traditional Midwestern life.
Compare and contrast Jordan Baker and Nick Carraway in The Great Gatsby.
Nick Carraway is non-judgmental, responsible, and a good listener, which makes him endearing to others. Conversely, Jordan Baker is portrayed as shallow, ornamental, and careless, using people for her advantage. While Nick works for a living and has been to war, Jordan indulges in recreational activities like golf. Their brief relationship highlights their differences, with Nick's sense of responsibility contrasting Jordan's self-centeredness.
What does the following quote reveal about women's portrayal and the characters of Tom and Daisy Buchanan in the novel?
“Oh, yes." She looked at me absently. "Listen, Nick; let me tell you what I said when she was born. Would you like to hear?"
"Very much."
"It'll show you how I've gotten to feel about—things. Well, she was less than an hour old and Tom was God knows where. I woke up out of the ether with an utterly abandoned feeling and asked the nurse right away if it was a boy or a girl. She told me it was a girl, and so I turned my head away and wept. 'All right,' I said, 'I'm glad it's a girl. And I hope she'll be a fool—that's the best thing a girl can be in this world, a beautiful little fool.”
This quote reveals that women in the novel's society are valued for beauty over intelligence, with Daisy expressing a belief that being a "fool" is preferable for a woman's happiness. Daisy's narrative highlights her feelings of abandonment by Tom, who is absent during significant moments such as their child's birth. This reflects Tom's selfishness and insensitivity, while Daisy's statement also mirrors her disillusionment with marriage and her emotional response to Tom's infidelity.
How do characters in The Great Gatsby demonstrate determination?
In The Great Gatsby, characters like Gatsby epitomize determination through their relentless pursuit of goals. Gatsby's life is driven by his obsession with marrying Daisy, despite her being married. His determination is evident in his rise to wealth from nothing, and his refusal to abandon his dream even after Myrtle's death. This unwavering resolve, seen when he stands outside Daisy's house, highlights his inability to let go of his romantic vision.
What are the similarities between Tom Buchanan's and George Wilson's issues with women?
Tom Buchanan and George Wilson both face the realization that their wives are unfaithful, which makes them "sick" with the revelation. This shared experience highlights a profound emotional impact despite their differences. However, George is unaware of Myrtle's lover's identity, while Tom knows Daisy's affair is with Gatsby, whom he deems inferior. Additionally, Tom is aware that Jordan and Nick knew about the affair but kept it from him, which doesn't seem to bother him much.
In The Great Gatsby, how is Gatsby, despite his criminal activities, portrayed as more sensitive to life than other characters?
“If personality is an unbroken series of successful gestures, then there was something gorgeous about him, some heightened sensitivity of the promises of life, as if he were related to one of those intricate machines that register earthquakes ten thousand miles away."
Gatsby is portrayed as more sensitive to life than other characters through his profound belief in the "promises of life," particularly his dream of rekindling his romance with Daisy. This sensitivity is akin to the optimism of early American settlers. Gatsby's lavish parties and attention to detail, like replacing a guest's gown, further demonstrate his sensitivity and contrast sharply with Tom Buchanan's callousness. Gatsby's gestures are "gorgeous" because they reflect an extraordinary pursuit of his dreams.
How does Gatsby's obsession with Daisy affect other characters?
Gatsby's obsession with Daisy affects other characters significantly. It drives Nick and Jordan to facilitate their reunion, involving Nick deeply in their lives. Daisy's affair with Gatsby strains her marriage to Tom, leading to a confrontation that exposes Gatsby. Daisy's reckless driving results in Myrtle Wilson's death, prompting her husband, George, to seek revenge. Misinformed by Tom, George kills Gatsby and himself, making Gatsby's obsession a catalyst for tragedy.
Compare and contrast Gatsby and Tom from The Great Gatsby.
Gatsby and Tom are contrasted as the hero and villain of The Great Gatsby. Tom, a wealthy, racist, and abusive character, treats others as possessions and is involved in an affair with Myrtle, leading to tragic events. Gatsby, in contrast, is an idealistic hero who pursues wealth to win Daisy's love, though he engages in illegal activities. Both are infatuated with money, but Gatsby's love for Daisy is more genuine. Nick's evolving perspective highlights Gatsby's sincerity over Tom's moral failings.
The characters most responsible for the deaths in The Great Gatsby
The characters most responsible for the deaths in The Great Gatsby are Tom Buchanan, Daisy Buchanan, and Jay Gatsby. Tom's deceit and manipulation, Daisy's reckless driving and failure to take responsibility, and Gatsby's obsessive pursuit of a dream lead to the tragic events in the novel.
Analysis of Jordan, Daisy, and Myrtle's attitudes towards men, their motivations, and their relevance to contemporary women
Jordan, Daisy, and Myrtle in The Great Gatsby exhibit varying attitudes towards men shaped by their social aspirations and personal desires. Jordan is independent and cynical, valuing her autonomy. Daisy is driven by material comfort and social status, leading to her shallow relationships. Myrtle seeks escape from her lower-class life through an affair. Their motivations reflect ongoing issues of autonomy, materialism, and social mobility relevant to contemporary women.
Analysis of Heroes and Villains in The Great Gatsby
In The Great Gatsby, heroes and villains are complex and multifaceted. Jay Gatsby can be seen as a hero for his relentless pursuit of his dreams and love for Daisy, but also as a villain for his involvement in illegal activities. Tom Buchanan is often viewed as a villain due to his arrogance, infidelity, and oppressive behavior, yet he also exposes Gatsby's criminal background. The characters' actions and motivations blur the lines between heroism and villainy.
Antagonist in The Great Gatsby
In F. Scott Fitzgerald's The Great Gatsby, Tom Buchanan is often seen as the antagonist due to his wealth, arrogance, racism, and misogyny. He opposes Gatsby's pursuit of Daisy, his wife, and plays a pivotal role in Gatsby's downfall by revealing Gatsby's criminal activities and indirectly causing his death. Daisy Buchanan is also viewed as a villain for her self-centeredness and willingness to let Gatsby take the blame for Myrtle's death. Gatsby, despite his flaws, is depicted as a tragic hero driven by idealism and the American Dream.
The significance and roles of both major and minor characters in "The Great Gatsby."
In The Great Gatsby, major characters like Gatsby, Daisy, and Nick drive the main plot, highlighting themes of the American Dream and social stratification. Minor characters, such as Jordan Baker and Myrtle Wilson, serve to deepen the narrative and provide contrast to the main characters, emphasizing the novel’s exploration of moral decay and the pursuit of wealth.
Get Ahead with eNotes
Start your 48-hour free trial to access everything you need to rise to the top of the class. Enjoy expert answers and study guides ad-free and take your learning to the next level.
Already a member? Log in here.
