Salina High School South - Mr. Edwards - The Great Gatsby

F. Scott Fitzgerald

The Great Gatsby
Character Profiles

Tom: a college acquaintance of Nick's who attended Yale (referred to as "New Haven" in the book and by people who go to Yale) and married Daisy, Nick's second cousin. He is a member of an extremely wealthy family from Chicago and enjoys polo. Throughout the novel he is involved in an affair with Myrtle Wilson, his mistress. Tom demonstrates his hypocrisy by criticizing others for disrespecting the sanctity of marriage.

Daisy: the object of Gatsby's romantic dreams. She knew and loved Gatsby before he went to war and later accumulated his fortune. However, while Gatsby was attending Oxford she married Tom who proceeded to have one affair after another. In the end she is one of the individuals responsible for Gatsby's death by refusing to assume credit for a hit and run slaying.

Jordan: a famous golf-player whose ethics are suspect following an accusation that she cheated during tournament play. She and Nick help to reunite Gatsby and Daisy which ultimately proves to be a fatal mistake. Later in the novel she is Nick's love interest.

Myrtle: Tom's mistress and wife to the hard-working and extremely loyal man known simply as George Wilson. Blinded by Tom's wealth, culture and prestige she forgets her husband's devotion. She despises Wilson for the very characteristics that make him dependable and steadfast.

George Wilson: the stereotypical hard-working stiff, Wilson is extremely devoted to Myrtle. For most of the novel Wilson is unaware and unsuspecting of his wife's affair. Soon after his discovery Myrtle is struck down in a hit and run, leaving him devastated. Following her death, Wilson's devotion transforms into a thirst for vengeance as he attempts to escape despair.

Nick: born to a wealthy family, Nick moves East to work in the bond trade for a year. After moving to a small bungalow surrounded by mansions in Long Island his stay quickly becomes anything but everyday life. He is rapidly swept up in love affairs, corruption and even murder as others choose to confide and place trust in him. He notes (perhaps) correctly that he is one of the few honest individuals he knows and his character appears quite pure in the midst of his corrupt company.

Gatsby: a lover, an adventurer but above all a pursuer of dreams. In the end it is this unswerving pursuit which brings about his demise. Gatsby is likably corrupt and always generous with his wealth. He is a pleasing character with a mysterious past who remembers others when they forget him. His devotion remains strong even during times of crisis. It is ironic that he dies at the hands of another devoted character.