The Great Gatsby Characters

Jay Gatsby

The protagonist who gives his name to the story. He orders his life around one desire: to be reunited with Daisy Buchannan.

Nick Carraway

The story's narrator who helps Gatsby reunite with Daisy. He rents the small house next to Gatsby's mansion in West Egg.

Daisy Buchannan

Beautiful and mesmerizing, she is the apex of sociability.

Tom Buchannan

Daisy's husband who comes from and old, wealthy Chicago family.

Pammy Buchannan

Toddler daughter of Tom and Daisy Buchannan who represents the children of the Jazz Ages

Jordan Baker

Professional golfer of questionable integrity.

Myrtle Wilson

Married lover of Tom Buchannan who serves as a representative of the lower class.

George Wilson

Myrtle's unassuming husband who runs a gas station in the valley of ashes.

Jordan Baker

Young, single woman of wealth, admired by men wherever she goes.

Catherine

Sister of Myrtle Wilson who is aware of her sister's secret life and willing to partake of its benefits.

Meyer Wolfshiem

Gatsby's business associate and link to organized crime; professional gambler.

Michaelis

George Wilson's restaurateur neighbor who comforts Wilson after Myrtle is killed.

Ewing Klipspringer

Convivially known as Gatsby's "boarder." He is a quintessential leech, a representative of the people who frequented Gatsby's partys.

Dan Cody

Worldly mentor of Jay Gatsby. He took Gatsby under his wing when Gatsby was a young man and taught him much about living adventurously and pursuing dreams.

Henry C. Gatz

Father of Jay Gatsby. Comes from the Midwest to bury his son.

Nick moves from the Midwest to where?

West Egg, Long Island

Who owns the large mansion next to Nick's house?

Gatsby

What secret does Nick find out about Tom while visiting the Buchannan home?

Tom is having an affair.

Who do Tom and Daisy try to set Nick up with?

Jordan

What color is the light Gasby is reaching for by the waterside?

Green

Where does Gabsy go at the end of the chapter?

He vanishes

What does Nick tell Tom and Daisy about his supposed engagement to a girl back home?

There is no impending marriage, and it is only a series of rumors

What university did Nick graduate from?

Greaduated from New haven, home of Yale University

What time period does the Great Gatsby take place?

The roaring twenties

What is the difference between West Egg and East Egg?

East Egg is the home to "old money," people who have had great wealth for generations, and the West Egg is the home to "new money," people whose wealth was recently earned.

Where do Daisy and Tom live?

East Egg, Long Island