Jay Gatsby
“There’s the kind of man you’d like to take home and introduce to your mother and sister.” (Fitzgerald, 72)
Significance:
- This adds to the image society associates with Gatsby of being the ideal man
- This quote contradicts the who we are learning Gatsby truly is as he is tied with corrupt business and has a side of shadiness to him
Gatsby Character Trait Analysis
1. “Good morning, old sport. You’re having lunch with me today and I thought we’d ride up together” (Fitzgerald, 64).
- This quote shows how Gatsby is very generous and also caring
- He knows that Nick is new to town and tries to play the ‘older brother’ role by getting to know him and sharing personal information about his past and present, but we also learn he has an ulterior motive for spending time with Gatsby.
2. "'Well, I'm going to tell you something about my life,' he interrupted. 'I don't want you to get a wrong idea of me from all these stories you hear'" (Fitzgerald, 65).
- This quote explains how Gatsby is a three dimensional character.
- It shows how he cares about is image and is aware about what people say to him even in his own home
3. "His voice was solemn, as if the memory of that sudden extinction of a clan still haunted him" (Fitzgerald, 65).
- Gatsby has an emotional side to him and his past seems to have affected him greatly, indicated by the mark it has left on him, and the reaction it evokes out of him
4. "They shook hands briefly, and a strained, unfamiliar look of embarrassment came over Gatsby's face" (Fitzgerald, 74).
- Gatsby has a mysterious trait to him; we later find out that Gatsby is in love with Daisy and the embarrassment comes from associating with Daisy's, his love's, husband.
5. “Gatsby bought that house so that Daisy would be just across the bay” (Fitzgerald)
- This quote shows Gatsby is a romantic and this side that is hidden from most people
- He has a past with Daisy that he has not forgotten about even though she is a married woman, and has hope that they can connect again
Gatsby’s Role in “The Great Gatsby”
Jay Gatsby is the centre of the novel. Everything and everyone has a way of relating to him. On the surface, Gatsby appears to be an extremely wealthy man who takes part in sketchy business deals and has a questionable background. All of these traits makes him very intriguing and adds to the mystery of his character. From Gatsby’s point of view, he really loves Daisy. Its his love for her that inspires and motivates him to reinvent himself into a better man. In chapter 4 we learn all about Gatsby and about his so called ‘background’ that may or may not be true. Gatsby’s presence in the novel is substantial and he influences the actions of others. For example, Gatsby truly loves Daisy, who feels mutually about him, but is married to Tom, who has a mistress named Myrtle, who is married to George. Do you think that if Daisy’s heart was fully committed to Tom and was not shared between him and Gatsby, would Daisy’s and Tom’s relationship would be stronger?
1. “Good morning, old sport. You’re having lunch with me today and I thought we’d ride up together” (Fitzgerald, 64).
- This quote shows how Gatsby is very generous and also caring
- He knows that Nick is new to town and tries to play the ‘older brother’ role by getting to know him and sharing personal information about his past and present, but we also learn he has an ulterior motive for spending time with Gatsby.
2. "'Well, I'm going to tell you something about my life,' he interrupted. 'I don't want you to get a wrong idea of me from all these stories you hear'" (Fitzgerald, 65).
- This quote explains how Gatsby is a three dimensional character.
- It shows how he cares about is image and is aware about what people say to him even in his own home
3. "His voice was solemn, as if the memory of that sudden extinction of a clan still haunted him" (Fitzgerald, 65).
- Gatsby has an emotional side to him and his past seems to have affected him greatly, indicated by the mark it has left on him, and the reaction it evokes out of him
4. "They shook hands briefly, and a strained, unfamiliar look of embarrassment came over Gatsby's face" (Fitzgerald, 74).
- Gatsby has a mysterious trait to him; we later find out that Gatsby is in love with Daisy and the embarrassment comes from associating with Daisy's, his love's, husband.
5. “Gatsby bought that house so that Daisy would be just across the bay” (Fitzgerald)
- This quote shows Gatsby is a romantic and this side that is hidden from most people
- He has a past with Daisy that he has not forgotten about even though she is a married woman, and has hope that they can connect again
Gatsby’s Role in “The Great Gatsby”
Jay Gatsby is the centre of the novel. Everything and everyone has a way of relating to him. On the surface, Gatsby appears to be an extremely wealthy man who takes part in sketchy business deals and has a questionable background. All of these traits makes him very intriguing and adds to the mystery of his character. From Gatsby’s point of view, he really loves Daisy. Its his love for her that inspires and motivates him to reinvent himself into a better man. In chapter 4 we learn all about Gatsby and about his so called ‘background’ that may or may not be true. Gatsby’s presence in the novel is substantial and he influences the actions of others. For example, Gatsby truly loves Daisy, who feels mutually about him, but is married to Tom, who has a mistress named Myrtle, who is married to George. Do you think that if Daisy’s heart was fully committed to Tom and was not shared between him and Gatsby, would Daisy’s and Tom’s relationship would be stronger?