Keyword Guide · character-analysis
F. Scott Fitzgerald’s The Great Gatsby uses a tight cast of characters to explore 1920s American excess, longing, and moral decay. Whether you’re prepping for a quiz, drafting an essay, or gearing up for class discussion, understanding each character’s core traits and narrative purpose is critical. This guide breaks down the most impactful figures with practical study takeaways.
Start with the four central characters that drive the novel’s plot: Jay Gatsby, Nick Carraway, Daisy Buchanan, and Tom Buchanan. Gatsby is defined by his relentless, idealized pursuit of the past, while Nick serves as both narrator and a quiet moral compass. Daisy embodies the emptiness of old-money privilege, and Tom represents unapologetic, entitled power. For study, map how each character’s choices collide to spark the novel’s tragic climax.
Supporting figures like Jordan Baker, Myrtle Wilson, and George Wilson deepen the novel’s themes. Jordan, a cynical professional golfer, mirrors the casual dishonesty of the wealthy elite. Myrtle, Tom’s mistress, chases upward mobility only to be crushed by the class divide, while George’s quiet desperation highlights the invisible casualties of the 1920s boom. For essays, pair these characters with core figures to highlight thematic contrasts (e.g., Myrtle vs. Daisy as two sides of wealth obsession).
Create a quick reference sheet for each key character’s core motivation: Gatsby = recapture lost love with Daisy; Nick = navigate moral ambiguity while documenting Gatsby’s story; Daisy = protect her comfortable, privileged lifestyle; Tom = preserve his social status and dominance. For quiz prep, memorize how these motivations directly cause key plot events, and practice linking them to Fitzgerald’s critique of the American Dream.
For class discussions, focus on unspoken character dynamics: How does Nick’s own bias shape his portrayal of Gatsby? What do Daisy’s small, passive choices reveal about her moral core? For essays, avoid surface-level descriptions; instead, argue how a character’s traits illustrate a broader theme (e.g., Gatsby’s obsession as a critique of the hollow American Dream). Use specific character actions (not direct text quotes) to back your claims.
Jay Gatsby is the primary symbol of the American Dream’s failure. His relentless hard work and wealth accumulation are driven by a single, idealized goal, yet he is ultimately unable to recapture the past or gain acceptance into the old-money elite, exposing the dream’s emptiness.
Nick claims to be “one of the few honest people that I have ever known,” but his admiration for Gatsby and quiet judgment of other characters can skew his portrayal. For analysis, note moments where his personal biases may color his account of events.
The wealthy characters (Daisy, Tom, Jordan) embody the “Jazz Age” excess and moral apathy, while working-class figures (Myrtle, George) show the era’s hidden inequality. Gatsby, a self-made millionaire, represents the era’s obsession with quick wealth and reinvention.
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