Key Characters in The Great Gatsby

These flashcards cover the key characters in 'The Great Gatsby,' detailing their roles, symbols, and significant attributes.

Jay Gatsby

Mysterious wealthy millionaire obsessed with rekindling his past romance with Daisy; symbolizes the American Dream.

Nick Carraway

The novel’s narrator, a Midwestern educated character who critiques the wealthy elite while being both participant and observer.

Daisy Buchanan

Beautiful and charming, symbolizes wealth and status; ultimately chooses security over her love for Gatsby.

Tom Buchanan

Daisy’s wealthy and arrogant husband who represents old money privilege, characterized by his racism and hypocrisy.

Jordan Baker

Independent and cynical golfer; represents the modern, self-sufficient woman of the 1920s, often emotionally detached.

Myrtle Wilson

Tom’s mistress, materialistic and desperate to escape her lower-class life; her ambition leads to tragic consequences.

George Wilson

Myrtle’s husband, represents the economically powerless working class and is driven to despair by his wife’s death.

Meyer Wolfsheim

Gatsby’s shady business associate representing organized crime; shows the corruption behind Gatsby’s wealth.

Owl Eyes

A guest at Gatsby’s party symbolizing perception and insight; one of the few to attend Gatsby’s funeral, showing genuine sympathy.

Dan Cody

Wealthy mentor who introduced Gatsby to luxury; represents the ideal of success that Gatsby idolized.

Pammy Buchanan

Daisy and Tom’s daughter; symbolizes the next generation of inherited wealth and reinforces Daisy’s attachment to privilege.