The Great Gatsby Character Analysis

Character Analysis

Jay Gatsby

• 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

Daisy Buchanan

• 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

Tom Buchanan

• 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

Nick Carraway

• 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

Symbolism

The Green Light

• 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 Valley of Ashes

• 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

The Color White

• 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

Character Analysis

• 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

Symbolism

The Green Light

• 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

The Valley of Ashes

• 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

The Color White

• 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