Pammy Buchanan

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Daisy and Tom Buchanan's young daughter, Pammy plays a very minor role in the novel as a possession meant to be displayed. She is always dressed like her mother and represents the shallowness of her parents. Daisy herself hopes that Pammy will grow up to be a "beautiful fool."

Dan Cody

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Dan Cody is Jay Gatsby's best friend and the man responsible for who Gatsby eventually becomes. Cody employs Gatsby for five years, and Nick's observations indicate that Cody drank too much and likely participated in criminal activities. Given their history and that the twenty-five thousand dollars Cody left to Gatsby when he died were never received, it's possible Gatsby turned to crime in order to make his own fortune.

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Dan Cody's role and significance in Gatsby's life in The Great Gatsby

Dan Cody played a crucial role in Gatsby's life as a mentor and father figure, introducing him to wealth and high society. Cody's influence helped shape Gatsby's ambition and dreams, providing him with the experience and knowledge needed to pursue his own fortune. This relationship significantly impacted Gatsby's transformation from James Gatz to Jay Gatsby.

The irony of Dan Cody in The Great Gatsby

The irony of Dan Cody in The Great Gatsby lies in his role as a mentor to Gatsby. Despite his wealth and influence, Cody's life is marred by alcoholism and exploitation by others. This contrasts sharply with Gatsby's idealistic view of wealth and success, showing that material wealth does not guarantee happiness or moral integrity.

Henry Gatz

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Henry Gatz is Jay Gatsby's father. Despite being poor, he is dignified and immensely proud of his son. He remains ignorant of Jay's bootlegging and underground connections, only believing his son to have been a great man.

Klipspringer

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Mr. Klipspringer lives off Jay Gatsby's wealth by boarding in his mansion and rarely contributes beyond playing the piano for Daisy and Gatsby. Nick perceives Klipspringer to be a friend of Gatsby’s, observing how Gatsby compliments Klipspringer for the music he plays. However, after Gatsby’s death Klipspringer reveals himself to be just as shallow as the rest of Gatsby’s associates, only dwelling in Gatsby's home to take advantage of his lush and extravagant lifestyle.

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Klipspringer's Role and Significance in The Great Gatsby

In The Great Gatsby, Ewing Klipspringer is a minor character known as "the boarder" who resides in Gatsby's mansion, symbolizing the superficiality of Gatsby's social circle. He is a freeloader who plays the piano during Gatsby's reunion with Daisy, highlighting themes of wealth and happiness through the ironic songs "Ain't We Got Fun" and "The Love Nest." Klipspringer's indifference to Gatsby's death underscores the novel's critique of the hollow relationships among the wealthy.

Owl Eyes

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The minor character Owl Eyes provides a subtle commentary on the vanity of the Long Island elites and reveals aspects of Jay Gatsby’s character. He notes how remarkable it is that the books in Gatsby’s library are real. This comment not only implies the insincerity of “the secret society,” who are superficial and lack substance, but also confirms Gatsby’s character, who has a greater degree of integrity. However, the pages of the volumes have not been cut apart, revealing that while Gatsby aspires to a life of meaning and authenticity, he remains in denial, refusing to face life’s difficult truths.

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Owl Eyes' Role and Significance in The Great Gatsby

In The Great Gatsby, Owl Eyes serves as a symbol of insight and perception, offering a unique perspective on Gatsby's character and the broader themes of reality versus illusion. Encountered in Gatsby's library, he is amazed that the books are real, yet notes they are unread, indicating Gatsby's facade. Owl Eyes is one of the few who attends Gatsby's funeral, highlighting his ability to see beyond superficial appearances. His presence underscores the themes of authenticity and the emptiness of the social elite.

Owl Eyes' Role and Symbolism at Gatsby's Funeral

In The Great Gatsby, the Owl-Eyed Man's presence at Gatsby's funeral symbolizes insight and empathy, contrasting with the superficiality of other guests. Initially introduced at Gatsby's party, where he is impressed by the authenticity of Gatsby's library, he represents clear-sightedness and wisdom, akin to Dr. T. J. Eckleburg's eyes. His attendance at the funeral highlights the hypocrisy of Gatsby's social circle, as he recognizes Gatsby's genuine character, unlike those who exploited him during his life.

George Wilson

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George Wilson is married to Myrtle and is one of the primary victims of the Buchanan’s recklessness. George represents the common people victimized by the carelessness and cruelty of the extraordinarily wealthy. He is poor, earns just enough money to get by, and has to ask Tom Buchanan, the man having an affair with Myrtle, for a car so he can move away. After Daisy Buchanan accidentally kills Myrtle in a hit and run, George descends into a destructive spiral of grief. Seeing his grief as an opportunity, Tom tells George that it was Jay Gatsby who had both seduced and killed Myrtle. This causes George to murder Gatsby.

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Why does George Wilson lock Myrtle in the bedroom?

George Wilson locks Myrtle in the bedroom because he suspects she is having an affair. He believes that confining her and planning to move away will end her infidelity. However, this action tragically backfires when Myrtle escapes and is accidentally killed by Daisy, leading to George's grief-driven quest for revenge and ultimately resulting in his and Gatsby's deaths.

How does George Wilson's character represent the Valley of Ashes as a place where citizens can't achieve the American dream?

George Wilson epitomizes the failure of the American Dream in the Valley of Ashes, a bleak area where residents, like him, struggle to improve their lives. His unsuccessful garage reflects the hopelessness and stagnation of the area. Unlike the wealth and glamour of characters like Tom and Daisy Buchanan, George's life is marked by toil and unfulfilled dreams, highlighting the disparity between the rich and the "forgotten" ordinary citizens of the 1920s.

George Wilson's realization and Fitzgerald's foreshadowing in The Great Gatsby

George Wilson's realization that Gatsby owns the car that killed Myrtle leads to the tragic climax. Fitzgerald foreshadows this event through earlier hints about the car and tension between characters, culminating in Wilson's vengeful actions.

George Wilson's Character and Role in The Great Gatsby

George Wilson in The Great Gatsby is portrayed as a poor, naive, and submissive character, operating an unsuccessful auto shop in the Valley of Ashes. He is manipulated by Tom Buchanan, who exploits George's socioeconomic status and desperation. Despite his weak demeanor, George's moral conviction surfaces upon discovering his wife Myrtle's infidelity, leading to tragic actions. Comparatively, he shares similarities with Jay Gatsby as both men are dreamers who love unfaithful women and ultimately fall victim to Tom's manipulations, highlighting the unattainability of the American Dream.

George Wilson's belief about Myrtle's fate in The Great Gatsby

In The Great Gatsby, George Wilson believes that Myrtle's fate was a result of her infidelity and that she was killed by her lover. He is convinced that the car accident was not merely an accident but a deliberate act by the person with whom Myrtle was having an affair.

Myrtle Wilson

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Myrtle Wilson is Tom Buchanan’s mistress and George Wilson’s wife. Since Tom and George stand at opposite ends of the socioeconomic spectrum, Myrtle represents the lower classes’ desire for social advancement. Her relationship with Tom is less about love and more about the appearance of wealth and desirability she earns through him. However, her fixation on status and appearances means that she is unable to fight back against Tom’s abuse. Myrtle is so obsessed with material gain that she is willing to prioritize it over her own well-being, which ultimately results in her death when she is struck and killed by a speeding car she believes belongs to Tom. In the end, her life and death exemplify the abuses suffered by the poor at the hands of the wealthy.

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In The Great Gatsby, why does Myrtle Wilson behave arrogantly towards her husband and in the city apartment?

Myrtle Wilson behaves arrogantly towards her husband and in the city apartment because she is ashamed of her lower social status and seeks to elevate herself through an affair with Tom Buchanan. She believes she deserves a higher social position and indulges in this fantasy by acting superior and adopting airs of wealth. Her behavior reflects her desire to escape her dreary life with George in the Valley of Ashes and live out her illusion of the American Dream.

How does Fitzgerald indicate that Myrtle Wilson is not an intellectual in The Great Gatsby?

Fitzgerald indicates Myrtle Wilson's lack of intellect through her social status, behavior, and environment. Living in the Valley of Ashes and married to a mechanic, Myrtle aspires to the wealth of Tom Buchanan but lacks sophistication. Her pretentious behavior, affected speech, and interest in gossip magazines rather than intellectual pursuits highlight her limited intellectual capacity. Her gaudy apartment decor and impulsive actions further underscore her lack of intellectual depth and emotional maturity.

What is the relationship between Myrtle Wilson and Tom Buchanan in The Great Gatsby?

Myrtle Wilson and Tom Buchanan are lovers.

Myrtle Wilson's incorrect assumptions in The Great Gatsby

Myrtle Wilson's incorrect assumptions include believing that Tom Buchanan will leave his wife Daisy for her and that wealth equates to happiness and status. These misconceptions lead her to make poor decisions, ultimately resulting in her tragic death.

Myrtle Wilson's regret about marrying George in The Great Gatsby

Myrtle Wilson regrets marrying George because she believes he is beneath her and cannot provide the materialistic lifestyle she desires. She expresses disdain for George, describing him as unfit to "lick my shoe," and admits she married him thinking he was a gentleman. Her behavior with Tom, flaunting her sexuality and indulging in vanity, further highlights her dissatisfaction with her marriage.

Significant quotes and character observations about Myrtle Wilson in The Great Gatsby

Significant quotes and character observations about Myrtle Wilson in The Great Gatsby often highlight her desire for a better life and her dissatisfaction with her social status. She is described as having a "vitality about her as if the nerves of her body were continually smouldering." Myrtle's affair with Tom Buchanan showcases her pursuit of wealth and status, which ultimately leads to her tragic end.

Fitzgerald's portrayal of Myrtle Wilson in The Great Gatsby reflects his attitude towards her character

Fitzgerald's portrayal of Myrtle Wilson in The Great Gatsby reflects a critical attitude towards her character. He depicts her as materialistic and shallow, driven by a desire to escape her lower-class status. Myrtle's tragic end underscores the futility of her aspirations and the harsh realities of pursuing the American Dream through superficial means.

Meyer Wolfsheim

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A selfish and insecure man, Meyer Wolfsheim is one of Jay Gatsby's associates in the criminal underworld. He is a mobster who focuses on bootlegging and racketeering. For Nick, Wolfsheim serves as a window into the clandestine part of Gatsby's life because their association clarifies how Gatsby acquired his wealth. However, Nick separates Gatsby and Wolfsheim based on character. Whereas Gatsby cares about others, such as Daisy, Wolfsheim is insensitive and selfish. He even refuses to attend Gatsby’s funeral, claiming that he cannot let such a scandal interfere with his own business interests. Based on his characteristics, Wolfsheim is considered a fictionalized version of Arnold Rothstein, a racketeer and mob kingpin in New York City who was shot to death in 1928.

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What does Meyer Wolfsheim assume Nick wants when they first meet?

Meyer Wolfsheim assumes that Nick is looking for "a business gonnection," implying a job within the criminal underworld. Gatsby quickly clarifies that Nick is just a friend, not seeking employment. This interaction reveals to Nick that Gatsby is associated with criminal activities, such as bootlegging, and raises doubts about Gatsby's character.

Gatsby's relationship with Meyer Wolfsheim and what it suggests about his background

Gatsby's relationship with Meyer Wolfsheim suggests a connection to organized crime and a less-than-honorable background. Wolfsheim is a gambler and a figure involved in illegal activities, indicating that Gatsby's wealth may have been acquired through illicit means. This relationship highlights the moral ambiguity and corruption underlying Gatsby's seemingly glamorous lifestyle.

Meyer Wolfsheim's Role and Impact in The Great Gatsby

Meyer Wolfsheim in The Great Gatsby is a significant character representing the criminal underworld. He is Gatsby's mentor, helping him amass wealth through illegal bootlegging, and symbolizes the darker side of the American Dream. Wolfsheim's involvement in fixing the 1919 World Series highlights his infamy and influence. His character adds a cynical tone to the narrative, revealing Gatsby's murky past. Fitzgerald's depiction of Wolfsheim also reflects anti-Semitic stereotypes, as seen in the focus on his nose.

Catherine

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Myrtle Wilson's sister, Catherine is proud of Myrtle's connection to the wealthy Tom Buchanan, and she is unconcerned with the questionable morality surrounding the affair.

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Who is Catherine in The Great Gatsby?

Catherine in The Great Gatsby is Myrtle Wilson's sister. She lives in New York City and provides Myrtle with alibis for visiting Tom Buchanan, with whom Myrtle is having an affair. Catherine is a minor character but plays a significant role by connecting to the main plot, especially during Myrtle's inquest, where she lies to protect her sister's reputation.

Michaelis

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Michaelis is a young Greek man who owns a coffee shop next door to George and Myrtle Wilson. After Myrtle is struck and killed by a car, Michaelis is the chief witness to the events.

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Michaelis' role and significance in The Great Gatsby

Michaelis serves as a minor yet significant character in The Great Gatsby, acting as a witness to Myrtle Wilson's death. His role highlights the theme of the moral decay and carelessness of the wealthy. As an outsider, he contrasts with the main characters, emphasizing their detachment from reality and the consequences of their actions.

Mr. and Mrs. Mckee

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Mr. and Mrs. Mckee live in the apartment below the one that Tom rents for his dalliances with Myrtle. They attend gatherings at Tom and Myrtle’s flat. Mrs. Mckee is a shrill and “horrible” woman who incessantly flatters Myrtle, believing her to be of the upper classes. Mr. Mckee is a photographer and he tries to use Nick Carraway's and Tom Buchanan's elevated statuses to gain access to the more affluent artistic circles.

Mr. Sloane

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Mr. Sloane is a friend of Tom’s who stops by Gatsby’s house while horseback riding with a young woman and Tom. The young woman accompanying Mr. Sloane invites Gatsby over to dinner and Gatsby accepts, not realizing that the invitation was extended as a formality. In order to re-establish the social order, Sloane departs before Gatsby is finished getting ready. This scene, and Sloane’s surprise over Gatsby’s acceptance of the invitation, serves as a reminder that even though Gatsby is wealthy, he does not have the upper-class upbringing of Tom, Daisy, and Sloane.

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