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Analysis of the character in the book “The Great Gatsby” by F. Scott.

Fitzgerald

Anailis M. Vicente Arias

Colegio Cristiano Betel

ELA 11th grade

Ms. Shannon Conaghan

June 5, 2023
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Abstract

This essay will analyze The Great Gatsby's characters and show how each one exhibits a distinct

symbolism. I will explain how the character’s actions affect them, and finally, I'll discuss various

characters' personalities and how they manifest themselves in their own lives. I'll also discuss

how the character's actions affect them. will analyze how each character develops over time and

how they interact with each other.

Keywords: Façade, non-judgmental, symbology, book, metaphors.

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Analysis of the character in the book “The Great Gatsby” by F. Scott

Fitzgerald

The Great Gatsby is a book with great depth, full of different symbology and metaphors.

Such an enigmatic book shows us a great variety of characters; each of these different and

purposeful in the story. Moreover, by relying on the symbolism of color in each character,

Fitzgerald reveals a unique perspective on the concepts of wealth, personal worth, and human

relationships as the characters are pressured by the idea of new and old money.

As the novel introduces the narrator, Nick Carraway is a young man from the Midwest,

who recently moved to Long Island to work in the bond business; he fulfills the role of narrator,

who leads the way for the reader to understand the life of the characters from a first-person

narration. His personality is written as very tolerant, best described as a non-judgmental and

open-minded person; As time passes, Nick develops as a wiser and more observant character. He

shows a complex persona, as his way of thinking can confuse and influence the reader if they are

not alert. Even so, I consider this character as one of the most human, and with whom we can

easily connect due to his thinking process. Even though he exhibits several flaws, the book

shows his self-reflection as he expressed, "I am one of the few honest people that I have ever

known" (Fitzgerald, 1925, p. 47). He unconsciously tries to show the best version of himself, his

most honest self.

Furthermore, Fitzgerald introduces Daisy Buchanan, Tom Buchanan’s wife, and Gatsby’s

longing. She is portrayed as a high-bourgeois woman who is pure and lovely. Her calm,

submissive, and slightly flirty attitude are the main reasons we think she is the ideal woman. She
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was raised in Louisville, Kentucky, and comes from a wealthy and powerful family. Daisy is

pressured into marrying someone of her position as a result of the expectations that came with

being upper class.

We can understand a little more about Daisy's mentality since, like any woman of the

time, it was necessary to marry a person of great power to achieve "happiness". In the first

chapters, Daisy seems to be in a loveless marriage and is driven to fill that void with luxury and

comfortable life; she feints ignorance over her real life: all the mistreatment from her husband,

the loneliness, and the pain. She chooses to lie to herself and play dumb to be happy. As Nick

observes, "They're a rotten crowd...You're worth the whole damn bunch put together"

(Fitzgerald, 1925, p. 162). Through this, we see the true corruption and influence of wealth and

people of great power.

Nonetheless, contrary to Daisy’s character, the book introduces to us Jordan Baker.

Although she is not described much physically, in the book Jordan is introduced as a professional

golfer, she is one of Daisy's friends, described as someone beautiful, and athletic with a greasy

and elegant appearance, we see her personality and mentality, and how it becomes more

transparent as we progress in the reading. Jordan's skepticism and disengagement from societal

norms define her personality. She has a cold and detached personality and frequently exhibits a

careless attitude toward the affairs and scandals that occur around her. This is clear in the book

from her comment about being dishonest: "I despise thoughtless individuals. I like you because

of that (Fitzgerald, 1925, p. 58). Her disregard for moral principles and social customs reflects

the moral ambiguity that characterized Jordan. However, Jordan's pessimism also makes her a

judicious observer of human nature, especially the weaknesses and foibles of those around her.
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She has a quick wit and is not afraid to express her ideas, often denouncing the pretensions and

hypocrisy of others.

Moreover, we get to know Tom Buchanan, who is presented as a strong and dominating

individual. According to Fitzgerald (Fitzgerald, 1925, p. 11), he’s shown as a guy of "enormous

power" with a "cruel body" that’s a reflection of his wealthy upbringing and athletic background.

His solid frame and commanding demeanor serve as a representation of the old-money

aristocracy's dictatorial and self-assured character. Tom's size is a tangible manifestation of his

privilege and the sense of entitlement that frequently goes along with it. He has an aggressive,

superiority complex, and arrogant disposition. His arrogance is evident in his treatment of others,

particularly those he considers beneath him. He asserts his dominance through marginalization

and displays of power, often flaunting his wealth and social status. Despite his flaws, Tom

possesses a certain charisma and intellect. However, these qualities are overshadowed by his

moral ambiguity and the ease with which he manipulates situations.

On the other hand, the main character of the novel is presented as Jay Gatsby. He is

portrayed as a tall, well-built man in his 30s with a "hard mouth and a supercilious manner"

(Fitzgerald, 1925, p.8). He is frequently spotted wearing pricey tailored suits and beautiful

jewelry to further project an air of affluence and refinement. He's a dreamer devoted to realizing

his version of the American Dream and is a self-made millionaire who has carefully established a

reputation for himself. He has carefully built a persona to appear impressive and gain acceptance

into the elite. Gatsby’s shown with a magnetic presence, renowned for hosting lavish events

where attendees swarm to enjoy the glitz and extravagance that go with his name. But beneath

the surface, Gatsby is also a profoundly solitary and reflective person. The quality that best

characterizes him is his unwavering commitment to Daisy Buchanan and his previous love
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relationship. His devotion to Daisy is on the verge of obsession. Gatsby's desire for Daisy drives

his behavior and influences every aspect of his life because he thinks he can win her back. His

obsession with Daisy exemplifies his strong determination and the extent he will go to

accomplish his objectives. Despite his wealth, Gatsby is elusive and mysterious to people around

him, causing many rumors and misunderstandings. He is secretive about his past and only

provides a few details regarding his ancestry and the source of his wealth.

As we explore The Great Gatsby, we find from enigmatic to hopeful characters, and the

reflection of their façade in a pretentious society. As described in the novel, Fitzgerald profiles

each character with their own thoughts and desires. All of them complex and real in their

respective ways. From whom we can learn about issues such as Wealth and Hope.
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References

Prahl, A. (2019). 'The Great Gatsby' Characters: Descriptions and Significance. ThoughtCo.

https://www.thoughtco.com/the-great-gatsby-characters-4579831

Edwards, H. (n.d.). Best Character Analysis: Jay Gatsby - The Great Gatsby.

https://blog.prepscholar.com/jay-gatsby-great-gatsby-character-analysis-quotes

The great Gatsby (Vol. 1). (1925). F. Scott Fitzgerald.

GradeSaver. (n.d.). Resumen y Análisis Capítulo 5. GradeSaver. https://www.gradesaver.com/el-

gran-gatsby/guia-de-estudio/summary-cap%C3%ADtulo-5