You can find our copy ready for the classroom Information Expectation Guide here.
The Great Gatsby Great Characters
The Great Gatsby Summary: Set in the decadent Jazz Age, the novel by F. Scott Fitzgerald follows the enigmatic millionaire Jay Gatsby and his desperate desire to win back his former love, Daisy Buchanan.
From the perspective of narrator Nick Carraway, the story serves as a poignant critique of moral decadence and provides an engaging look at the mysterious (and often illusory) nature of the American Dream.
| The character | A brief description |
|---|---|
| Jay Gatsby | A mysterious, self-made millionaire driven by his overwhelming desire to win back his former love, Daisy. |
| Nick Carraway | A cautious, Midwestern narrator who becomes involved in the extraordinary lives of his wealthy East Coast neighbors. |
| Daisy Buchanan | A charming but superficial socialite who prioritizes wealth and security over true love. |
| Tom Buchanan | Daisy’s arrogant and hypocritical “old money” who uses her wealth and power to control others. |
| Jordan Baker | A no-nonsense, independent professional golfer who represents modern, independent women in the 1920s. |
| George Wilson | A scrappy mechanic living in the Valley of Ashes who is devoted to his unfaithful wife. |
| Myrtle Wilson | George’s live-in wife who tries to escape her low-class life by having an affair with Tom Buchanan. |
| Anticipation Prompt | Suggested Tone & Vibe |
|---|---|
| People are generally honest with themselves. | Introspective & ChallengeIt pushes for critical awareness about self-deception. |
| It’s easy to form opinions about things we don’t understand. | Cynical & DirectAn indirect observation about human ignorance and snap judgment. |
| How people think about you is largely determined by how you think about yourself. | Psychological & NuancedIt explores the line between confidence and self-deception. |
| Wealth without morality is more desirable than morality without wealth. | Very AnnoyingIt forces an uncomfortable choice between ethics and luxury. |
| How you got your money is just as important as how much money you have. | Analytical and JudgmentalAddresses the social divide of “Old vs. New Money”. |
| The desire to belong can be stronger than the desire to be you. | Empathetic & MelancholicIt focuses on the tragedy of losing one’s identity in a social class. |
| We tend to value what we want more than what we have. | Philosophical & ReflectiveIt speaks mysteriously of “green light.” |
| We become what we want. (Advanced) | Ominous & DeterministicIt suggests that infatuation ends up eating away at yourself. |
| Status is just a story that people agree to believe. | Deconstructive & ModernThe challenge is the invisible walls of public buildings. |
| The American Dream is more about the pursuit than the destination. | Wistful & PragmaticA realistic look at chronic fatigue. |
| Some dreams are better as dreams. | Sad & ClearIt symbolizes the clash of fiction and reality. |
| The richer or more attractive a person is, the more people forgive them for being a bad person. | Blunt & DisappointedIt criticizes civil rights and the “halo effect.” |
| What people believe about someone or something is more important than what is true. | Pragmatic & MachiavellianIt highlights the power of rumors and social facades. |
| Success depends on behavior / People create their own values. | Open-ended & ExploratoryA non-judgmental primer on personal values. |
| Some types of ‘success’ are ‘good’ and some are ‘bad.’ | Moralizing & PolarizingIt forces judgment in the gray areas of ambition. |
| Money is the most important money. (Advanced) | Gritty & AbsoluteIt challenges the importance of love or honor compared to bull. |
Looking for more classroom discussion resources?
If you are planning anticipation guides and critical thinking activities for other units, consider adding these resources to your lesson plans:
Gatsby’s Great Expectations Guide Agree/Disagree with the statements (plain text)
1. Desire can cloud judgment.
2. People are generally honest with themselves.
3. It is easy to form opinions about things we do not understand.
4. How people think about you is largely determined by how you think about yourself.
5. Wealth without morality is more desirable than morality without wealth.
6. How you got your money is as important as how much money you have.
7. The desire to be a member can be stronger than the desire to be yourself.
8. We tend to focus more on what we want than what we have.
9. We become what we want.
10. Status is just a story that people agree to believe.
11. The American Dream is more about the pursuit than the destination.
12. Some dreams are better as dreams.
13. We tend to value what we want more than what we have.
14. If a person is rich or very attractive, people forgive him for being a bad person.
15. What people believe about someone or something is more important than the truth.
16. Success depends on things.
17. People are generally honest with themselves.
18. It is easy to form opinions about things we do not understand.
19. How people think about you is largely determined by how you think about yourself.
20. People create their own goals for success.
21. Some types of ‘success’ are ‘good’ and some are ‘bad.’
22. (Advanced) We become what we want.
