Jay Gatsby
Gatsby is the hero of the book and is the main focus. However, although Gatsby has some qualities which are typically heroic, other aspects of his character are closer to the typical villain.
Heroic traits:
- He is a self-made man
- He is a dreamer, full of hope
- He is in love
Villainous traits:
- He is a liar
- He is probably a criminal
Self-made man
Gatsby is a classic example of a man. But he can also be understood to be a self-made man in a non-typical sense - he invented the glamorous persona of 'Jay Gatsby'. Born James Gatz, to shiftless and unsuccessful farm people
in North Dakota it seemed that he virtually disowned his family. For instance, he told Nick that his parents were dead. Gatsby retains our sympathy, however, because he does not have a mercenary nature.
Gangster
It is hinted that Gatsby made his fortune through gambling and .
He has obviously been a close associate of the sinister Meyer Wolfshiem, the man who fixed the World Series in 1919
. During his parties he is frequently told that people in cities such as Chicago and Philadelphia are trying to contact him - these places were centres of organised crime in the 1920s.
However, his activities remain shadowy, if murky, and we are not aware of any victims or any involvement in violence. Thus Gatsby never alienates the reader, and, , emerges as an honourable man.
Dreamer
Nick comments on Gatsby's extraordinary gift for hope
. Gatsby's memorable first appearance in the book is in the moonlight, stretching out his arm yearningly. He even seems to be trembling with emotion. Gatsby's dream is always expressed as a noble emotion, conveyed by the use of the language of
he had committed himself to the following of a grail
Nick describes Gatsby's sensitivity to the promises of life
as a unique and admirable quality.
Lover
Gatsby is devoted to Daisy. He buys a mansion in Long Island and throws lavish parties, actively encouraging gate-crashers, in the hope that she might one day appear at one. His love for her, although physical, is also spiritual and altruistic. His bashfulness when he meets her again is comic and endearing, and he is at his most heroic when he takes the blame for Myrtle's death in order to spare Daisy from any difficulties.
The 'Great' Gatsby
Gatsby is great
because of the magnitude of his dream. Nick is touched by Gatsby's wonder
and belief
, and is reminded of the positive feelings of the first Dutch settlers in New England, arriving at a fresh, green breast of the new world
. Gatsby remains optimistic and true to his dream.
