The Great Gatsby Character Analysis

Study Notes

The protagonist of the novel, a mysterious millionaire who hosts extravagant parties
Born James Gatz, but reinvented himself as Jay Gatsby to escape his humble beginnings
Driven by his desire to win back Daisy Buchanan, his lost love
Represented by the green light across the water, symbolizing his longing for something unattainable

Gatsby's lost love, now married to Tom Buchanan
Represents the old money and aristocracy that Gatsby longs for
Shallow, selfish, and indecisive, often prioritizing her own comfort over others' feelings
Voice is described as "full of money," symbolizing her luxurious and carefree lifestyle

Daisy's husband, a wealthy and powerful man from an old aristocratic family
Represents the old money and the corrupting influence of wealth
Racist, misogynistic, and hypocritical, with a tendency to exploit and dominate those around him
Has a mistress, Myrtle Wilson, which highlights his infidelity and lack of morals

The narrator of the novel, a young man from the Midwest who moves to Long Island's West Egg
Moral compass of the novel, often serving as a foil to the corrupt and decadent society around him
Observant and introspective, but also naive and impressionable

The green light across the water, first introduced in Chapter 1, symbolizes the elusive American Dream
Represents Gatsby's longing for something unattainable, specifically Daisy and the wealth and status she embodies
The light is often described as "elusive" and "fading," symbolizing the impossibility of achieving the American Dream

The desolate wasteland between Long Island and New York City, symbolizing the moral decay and corruption of society
Home to the eyes of Doctor T.J. Eckleburg, a giant billboard that serves as a moral judge and observer of the characters' actions
Represents the consequences of the excesses and superficiality of the wealthy elite

Associated with purity, innocence, and cleanliness, but often used to symbolize the opposite in the novel
Daisy and Jordan are often dressed in white, highlighting their superficial and morally bankrupt nature
The white dresses and flowers also symbolize the artificial and manufactured nature of the wealthy elite's lives

Jay Gatsby: protagonist, mysterious millionaire, hosts extravagant parties, born James Gatz, reinvented himself to escape humble beginnings, driven by desire to win back Daisy Buchanan
Daisy Buchanan: Gatsby's lost love, now married to Tom Buchanan, represents old money and aristocracy, shallow, selfish, indecisive, and prioritizes comfort over others' feelings, "voice full of money" symbolizes luxurious lifestyle
Tom Buchanan: Daisy's husband, wealthy and powerful man from old aristocratic family, represents old money and corrupting influence of wealth, racist, misogynistic, hypocritical, and exploitative, has a mistress (Myrtle Wilson) highlighting infidelity and lack of morals
Nick Carraway: narrator, young man from Midwest, moved to West Egg, moral compass, foil to corrupt society, observant and introspective, but naive and impressionable

Symbolizes the elusive American Dream, Gatsby's longing for something unattainable (Daisy and wealth/status)
Described as "elusive" and "fading" symbolizing the impossibility of achieving the American Dream

Desolate wasteland between Long Island and New York City, symbolizes moral decay and corruption of society
Home to the eyes of Doctor T.J. Eckleburg, a giant billboard, serves as moral judge and observer of characters' actions
Represents consequences of excessive and superficial lifestyle of the wealthy elite

Associated with purity, innocence, and cleanliness, but often used to symbolize the opposite
Daisy and Jordan often dressed in white, highlighting superficial and morally bankrupt nature
White dresses and flowers symbolize artificial and manufactured nature of the wealthy elite's lives