The Great Gatsby (Pages 39-54)

The Great Gatsby

By F. Scott Fitzgerald

“He doesn’t want any trouble with anybody.”(Page 43) The characters of The Great Gatsby have complex relationships which, for most, lead to trouble. This trouble arises from the similarities and differences of the characters.

Jay Gatsby and Nick Carraway serve as the novel’s main characters and in some ways, as doubles.  The two are similar in their idealistic pursuit of the American dream and value of morals as well as their literary role as protagonists. As much as they are similar though, the two are also different. While Gatsby comes from a poor family, Nick comes from a wealthy. While Gatsby lies constantly throughout the novel, Nick prides himself in his honesty and truthfulness. In addition to Gatsby and Nick, Myrtle Wilson and Daisy Buchanan also act as doubles as both are involved in affairs, unhappy with their present husbands, and obsessed with wealth.

 

The antagonists of the novel include the Buchanans. Tom keeps Gatsby from Daisy and Daisy does not fully return Gatsby’s love thus prohibiting Gatsby from achieving his dream. Additionally, other antagonists include those who use Gatsby only for his wealth and fortune thus blocking him from Daisy and happiness.

Foil characters within the novel include Tom Buchanan and George Wilson. Physically the two differ as Tom is strong and George is weak. There physical attributes also reflect their personalities as Tom is commanding and George is quieter and more submissive. Socially, Tom is a wealthy upper-class man while George is a laborer of the working middle class.   Other foil characters include Daisy and Jordan. While Jordan is happy and accepting of her present, Daisy is miserable. Jordan is strong in her beliefs and practices while Daisy is reliant and submissive to Tom. Thus, Jordan chooses her destiny while Daisy allows Tom to take advantage of her and control her relationships.

Each different in role and qualities, the characters of the novel each serve intricate parts in the story line. Without one character, the novel takes on completely new meaning. Similarly, “…if one brick was removed the whole library was liable to collapse (Fitzgerald, Page 46) .”