Sylvia JungBoram LeeKevin Lee

Group Character Activity: GATSBY

Brief Information Jay Gatsby is the protagonist.

Gatsby is a mysterious, fantastically wealthy young man.

He lives in West Egg and serves parties.

He was born in North Dakota as a son of poor farmer.

Associated with underground work.

Loves Daisy Buchanan.

This inspired Gatsby to devote his life to the acquisition of wealth.

Physical Description No specific description is depicted because he is a

mysterious and secluded character.

Nick Caraway describes him as neat, firm-looking man.

Seems about 30-32 old years.

“I was looking at an elegant young roughneck, a year or two over thirty…” (48).

“He smiled understandingly – much more than understandingly. It was one of those rare smiles with a quality of eternal reassurance in it…” (48).

Personality Faithful:

“’You’d better come home and get some sleep.’ He shook his head. ‘I want to wait here till Daisy goes to bed. Good night, old sport’” (145).

Inactive, not socialize: He appears not to drink or dance at parties.

Dishonest: He lies about his past

Mercenary: When Nick decides to invite Daisy for Gatsby, he replies with money. “It wouldn’t take up much of your time and you might pick up a nice bit of

money. It happens to be rather confidential sort of thing” (83).

Live in the past: ‘Can’t repeat the past?’ he cried incredulously. ‘Why of course you can!’ He

looked around him wildly, as if the past were lurking here in the shadow of his house, just out of reach of his hand. ‘I’m going to fix everything just the way it was before…’ He talked a lot about the past” (110).

Uneasy: “This was continually breaking through his punctilious manner in the shape of

restlessness.  He was never quite still; there was always a tapping foot somewhere oar the impatient opening and closing of a hand” (64).

Careful: “He’s afraidm he’s waited so long. He thought you might be offended” (78).

Evidence of Change

Gatsby’s love for Daisy stays same

But, He sought for change!

James Gatz

to

Jay Gatsby

Changes: His social status greatly change

From farm boy to rich man

He changes his name: “James Gatz – that was really, or at least

legally, his name. He had changed it at the age of seventeen and at the specific moment that witnessed the beginning of his career – when he saw Dan Cody’s yacht drop anchor over the most insidious flat on lake Superior” (98).

Social Standing Gatsby was born from a relatively poor family.

“His parents were shiftless and unsuccessful farm people” (98).

“He stayed there two weeks, dismayed at its ferocious indifference to the drums of his destiny, to destiny itself, and despising the janitor’s work with which he was to pay his way through” (99).

However, Gatsby's social status rises tremendously.

He became rich enough to be able to throw out parties every night to attract Daisy.

Yet, he shows ill manner and does not know how to socialize among people.

And he is associated with illegal work: “He’s a bootlegger” (61).

Purpose in the Novel

To show the effects and powers of money Social class division

Moral Corruption of Society Gatsby becomes a victim.

The American Dream He reaches his goal.

“Good Guy” Nick Carraway said to Gatsby:

“’They’re a rotten crowd,’ I shouted across the lawn. ‘You’re worth the whole damn bunch put together’” (154).

Gatsby is a man of mystery, and he had all these false rumors and information. But his love for Daisy is romantic and passionate even though he seems idealistic.

He has warm smile unlike Tom “He smiled understandingly – much more than understandingly. It was

one of those rare smiles with a quality of eternal reassurance in it…” (48).

Nick slowly realizes that Gatsby doesn’t care any of the other things. Instead, Gatsby is motivated by emotions – love. “‘Was Daisy driving?’ ‘Yes,’ he said after a moment, ‘but of course I’ll

say I was’”(143).

Gatsby reveals himself to be an innocent, hopeful young man but impossible to achieve his dream – dream of Daisy.

Bibliography Image:

http://www.boosttwitterfollowers.com/images/money_tree.jpg

http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_2Wzgw4hUx68/StUwejbs06I/AAAAAAAAADs/uDLFc5BwvjE/s320/gatsby_cover.jpg

http://i.treehugger.com/images/2007/5/24/design-can-change.jpg