Character Quotes
"Whenever you feel like criticizing any one, just remember that all the people in this world haven't had the advantages that you've had."
Who is Nick Carraway?
Tom and Daisy belong to this established, old-money social class, symbolized by their geographical location.
What is East Egg?
Tom Buchanan exposes Gatsby’s criminal past during a heated confrontation in this New York City hotel.
What is the Plaza Hotel?
Jay Gatsby legally changes his name at age 17 from this original, impoverished identity.
What is James Gatz?
This character serves as the ultimate, tragic symbol of a self-made man achieving the material American Dream.
Who is Jay Gatsby?
"Can't repeat the past? Why of course you can!"
Who is Jay Gatsby?
This character cheats at golf tournaments, motivated by a desire to maintain her high social standing and public image.
Who is Jordan Baker?
Driven by grief and a desire for vengeance, this character shoots Gatsby in his swimming pool.
Who is George Wilson?
Nick Carraway moves from the Midwest to New York to learn this financial business, seeking a fresh start after WWI.
What is the bond business?
Found by his father, a young Gatsby wrote a strict schedule for self-improvement in a book about this cowboy character.
Who is Hopalong Cassidy?
"I'm glad it's a girl. And I hope she'll be a fool—that's the best thing a girl can be in this world, a beautiful little fool." [1, 2]
Who is Daisy Buchanan?
Myrtle Wilson dates Tom Buchanan largely to escape her life in this bleak, ash-covered industrial wasteland.
What is the Valley of Ashes?
Tom manipulates George Wilson by telling him that Gatsby owned this specific vehicle.
What is the yellow car?
Myrtle Wilson buys an apartment in New York City, a dog, and expensive clothes to escape this drab reality.
What is being married to George Wilson?
Myrtle’s sister, Catherine, claims Myrtle and Tom stay with their spouses because of this religious barrier, which is actually a lie.
What is Catholicism?
Civilization's going to pieces... I've gotten to be a terrible pessimist about things."
Who is Tom Buchanan?
Gatsby partners with this shady underworld figure to build a fortune through illegal bootlegging.
Who is Meyer Wolfshiem?
Myrtle Wilson rushes out toward the yellow car because she mistakenly believes this woman is driving it.
Who is Daisy Buchanan?
This wealthy yacht owner acts as Gatsby’s early mentor, showing him a world of luxury away from his farm life.
Who is Dan Cody?
Gatsby’s dream relies on the illusion of "new money," which is physically represented by this fictional Long Island town.
What is West Egg?
"I like large parties. They're so intimate. At small parties there isn't any privacy."
Who is Jordan Baker?
George Wilson is motivated to buy a car from Tom Buchanan for this specific financial reason.
What is to resell it for a profit?
Tom’s jealousy peaks when he notices Daisy speaking to Gatsby using this intimate, two-word phrase of endearment.
What is "old sport"? (Or: "You look so cool.")
Daisy attempts to escape her wedding day misery and forget Tom's infidelity by doing this hours before the ceremony.
What is getting drunk?
At the end of the novel, Nick compares Gatsby’s dream to the awe felt by these historical people arriving in America.
Who are the Dutch sailors?