Character+List

__ ** Nick Carraway: ** __
 * Description:** Narrator; Young, honest man who works in the bond business and lives in West Egg, Long island. He came from a prominent and well-to-do family. Gives the reader an unbiased view of the plot presented.


 * Analysis:** Nick primarily serves as the narrator of the story because he gives the reader an unbiased view of the conflict. He views himself as one of the few honest men in the world. He is the embodiment of truth. He is an extremely fickle person, however; he goes back forth from liking Gatsby to detesting him, to being friendly with Tom to being angry with him, and from loving Jordan to finding her flaws. He is a pessimistic character for he is never satisfied with his situation, the people he associates with, his actions ,or his choice of words. The only time different than this was when he complemented Gatsby right before his death. This symbolizes Nick's finally finding good in Gatsby. Nick is a flat character because the reader really doesn't get too much insight into teh character of Nick. Fitzgerlad does not really develope him that much. His main purpose is just to present the story of Gatsby.

__ ** Jay Gatsby: ** __
 * Description:** Title character and protagonist; Young man whos is next door neighbor of Nick. Desires to be with Daisy after being in love with her before having to leave for WWI. Tragically killed by George Wilson for being falsely accused of killing his wife.


 * Analysis:** In the novel, Gatsby represents Scott Fitzgerald in real life. Gatsby also serves as the tragic hero. His one fatal flaw was his obsessiveness with Daisy. He was a man of great potential that was only limited and ultimately ended by this fatal flaw. Gatsby always represents a man of great mystery. No one really knows what he does, where he is from, or how he is so wealthy. Gatsby is perhaps the only round character of the entire novel. The reader is able to see many different sides of Gatsby and his many different traits. He is not defined by simple one trait. The reader sees him as mysterious, friendly, scared, nervous, angry, frustrated, happy, and disappointed throughout the course of the novel. Nick's narration gives us insight into the very human mind of Jay Gatsby and all of its whims and emotions.

__**Daisy Fay-Buchannon:**__
 * Description:** Married to Tom Buchannon. Once was in love with Gatsby before he left her for WWI. Is the real driver of the car that kills Myrtle Wilson. Protagonist in the beginning but evenually potrayed as two-faced and an antagonist in the end.


 * Analysis:** Daisy is a representation of a person who is lost. She is confused as to whether or not she really loves Tom or if she loves Gatsby. She is the kind of person who runs around doing anything she pleases. From there she uses her immense wealth to pay herself out any trouble she runs herself into. She discovers, however, that money cannot recompense death. For these reasons Daisy is a flat character because that is the only side of her the reader sees.

__ ** Tom Buchannon: ** __
 * Description:** Antagonist; Husband of Daisy but is seen to be unfaithful in the beginning. Jealous of Gatsby and Daisy's love or each other. Falsely tells George Wilson that Gatsby was driving the car thatkilled his wife.


 * Analysis:** Tom represents the the manly man, lumberjack, tough guy character. He is one of those men who is all about power. He uses his physique to muscel his way through people, crowds, and in a way life. He dives into things blindly and does not think of the consequences. This is evident with his affair with Myrtle. He is married to the "golden girl" and yet finds it necessary to pursue other women. Tom is a flat character because the reader only sees these qualities.

__** Jordan Baker: **__
 * Description:** Professional female golfer; First person told about Gatsby's love for Daisy. minor role throughout novel. Dates Nick for a short time before Nick cuts things off


 * Analysis:** Jordan baker is best discribed by the Nick. Nick says that Jordan lives life like the way she drives: reckless and heedless of other drivers on the road. She expects other people to be cautious around her. This is a good princible until Nick says she meets another driver as reckless as her. This represents the character of Jordan. She lives her life doing whatever she pleases not caring about other people or their feelings per say. She expects other people to heed her and be careful around her. This goes along with Buchannon's style of life. Living it expecting others to get out of their way and bow down to them almost.

__** George Wilson: **__
 * Description:** Murderer of Gatsby before killing himself. Minor role before the death of his wife and eventual rampage in which he kills Gatsby.


 * Analysis:** George Wilson represents the weak, timid man. He has no confidence in himself. This is evident because of the fact that Tom and Myrtle push him around. However, George Wilson turns out to be a dynamic character. His weak and frail character is dissipated to a mentally unstable raging dangerous weapon out for revenge.

__** Myrtle Wilson:  **__
 * Description:** Wife of George Wilson; Had an affair with Tom before ruining things by bringing up Daisy to him. Is killed in a car crash with Daisy and Gatsby. Her death eventually causes George to kill Gatsby and himself.


 * Analysis:** Myrtle Wilson for the most part is a static flat character. Her trait is that of perhaps unhappiness. She is unhappy with her husband's personality and qualities so she seeks what she wants in Tom. However she is not happy with him either. For the few times the reader sees Myrtle, she is unhappy and not satisfied with whatever situation she is in or what person she is with.

__**Other Minor Characters Include:**__
 * Owl Eyes**- Gatsby's Friend
 * Catherine**- Myrtle's Sister
 * Mr. and Mrs. Mckee**- Couple that Myrtles and Tom often party with.
 * Meyer Wolfshiem**- Gatsby's friend and business partner