Nick Carraway Nick Carraway is the narrator of the novel and tells the story in his perspective. Nick grew up in Minnesota in a family that is made up of prominent, well-to-do people in Chicago. He attended Yale making him well educated and he considers himself to be very well-rounded. He fought in World War I which he enjoyed very much and now resides in West Egg to work in the bond business in New York City. However his house is an eye sore even though it offers him the "consoling proximity of millionaires" (Fitzgerald 14). He lives next to the mysterious Jay Gatsby whom he envies greatly and begins to befriend over time. Jay loves Daisy and can only pursue her through Nick's help. So Nick is asked to facilitate the rekindling of Gatsby and his cousin Daisy's romance. |  |
Jay Gatsby Gatsby is the protagonist and the title character of the novel. His incredible amount of wealth causes an uncountable number of rumors concerning the origins of his wealth. He is best, and only, known for his lavish and extraordinary weekly parties. His life is a complete mystery to all those that know of him. His relationship with Nick clears up some speculation of his mysterious life and it is now revealed that he grew up on a farm in North Dakota and worked for a millionaire. Working for a millionaire made Jay want to live a very rich life and achieve wealth and status of a high degree. Unlike the farmer however, Jay's wealth did not come ethically. The reason he does everything he does is an attempt to attract Daisy, his life long love. |  |
Daisy Buchanan Daisy is Gatsby's love and Nick's cousin. She is a beautiful woman who was courted by a number of officials in the military, Gatsby included. Daisy chose Gatsby to be with and fell in love with him post war. When Gatsby had to leave for war, Daisy vowed she would wait for him to return. However, Daisy's desire to be loved is greater than the love she has for Gatsby and thus she married Tom Buchanan. |  |
Tom Buchanan The sexist and racist Tom Buchanan is the extremely wealthy husband of Daisy and previously one of Nick's acquaintances at Yale. Tom demands respect from everyone irrespective of whether or not he gives them the same respect. He is a hypocrite and extremely arrogant. His hypocrisy is illustrated when he became outraged at Daisy's relationship with Gatsby even though he himself is having an affair with Myrtle. |  |
Jordan Baker Nick's soon to be love and a friend of Daisy. Jordan is an athlete that plays golf competitively, however, is a cheater and dishonest. Her first golf tournament was only won because she cheated in order to win.
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