Positive Characteristics:
Conversational and open towards Nick:
"I think he hardly knew what he was saying, for when I asked him what business he was in he answered ‘That’s my affair,’ before he realized that it wasn’t the appropriate reply. ‘Oh, I’ve been in several things,’ he corrected himself. ‘I was in the drug business and then I was in the oil business. But I’m not in either one now.’ He looked at me with more attention. ‘Do you mean you’ve been thinking over what I proposed the other night?’ "(96-97)
At first he seems to be snooty and secretive about his past, before he corrects himself and fully explains his past jobs, and once again offers Nick a job position. It is not necessary, and it is clear that he does not tell his past to everybody with all of the rumors circulating about Gatsby's job.
He is trying to build trust with Nick, which could be due to the fact that Nick is so closely related to Daisy, so Gatsby feels as though he can trust him as well.
The corruption of the time, influence of Al Capone and the mob, makes it easier to run corrupt businesses and get involved in that world.
Dedicated: "‘We haven’t met for many years,’ said Daisy, her voice as matter-of-fact as it could ever be. ‘Five years next November. The automatic quality of Gatsby’s answer set us all back at least another minute. "(93)
The fact that Gatsby has been counting the days since he had last seen Daisy shows that he is dedicated to his image of Daisy, and that she had been his goal since the very beginning. It is clear that his statement shocked them all, as it is abnormal to keep such a precise track of time since the last meeting. This strengthens the thought that Gatsby is extremely dedicated to Daisy, even though she is already married.
Negative Characteristics:
Love-Struck: "He looked out the window at it, but judging from his expression I don’t believe he saw a thing. "(90)
"He hadn’t once ceased looking at Daisy and I think he revalued everything in his house according to the measure of response it drew from her well-loved eyes."(98)
Gatsby is in a daze when thinking or with Daisy, and seems to be heavily reliant on the thoughts and opinions of Daisy, and overrules his own thoughts. Though it is only one example, it shows what an influence Daisy has on Gatsby, and that he is ready to go to far lengths to appease Daisy.
Demanding and manipulative: " ‘Klipspringer plays the piano,’ said Gatsby, cutting him off. ‘Don’t you, Ewing, old sport?’ ... ‘Don’t talk so much, old sport,’ commanded Gatsby. ‘Play!’ "(101)
Gatsby was demanding of Nick to set up the date with Daisy, using everyone that he meets with the sole purpose of getting together with Daisy. He previously met with Jordan Baker with the sole purpose of trying to meet with Daisy, and also forces Klipspringer to play the piano to impress Daisy.
Nervous/Doubtful: " ‘ He followed me wildly into the kitchen, closed the door and whispered: ‘Oh, God!’ in a miserable way... ‘This is a terrible mistake,’ he said, shaking his head from side to side, ‘a terrible, terrible mistake.’ " (94)
Even though Gatsby seems to be a rich and successful man, he acts like a nervous child after embarrassing himself in front of Daisy. He is frantic and nervous as he desperately wants to impress Daisy, and this nervousness may cause him to make decisions without thinking through properly.
Role:
Jay Gatsby is both an example of the American Dream, and an entrance for Nick to the world of lavish parties and the rich lifestyle. He is an eccentric rich person looking for something more than money can buy, just like Tom. Possible foreshadowing, with a constant need for excitement.
His role at the moment seems to be using others to gain the attention and affection of Daisy, no matter the cost.
The wild times of the roaring twenties sets the scene for the book and the life of Gatsby.
Conversational and open towards Nick:
"I think he hardly knew what he was saying, for when I asked him what business he was in he answered ‘That’s my affair,’ before he realized that it wasn’t the appropriate reply. ‘Oh, I’ve been in several things,’ he corrected himself. ‘I was in the drug business and then I was in the oil business. But I’m not in either one now.’ He looked at me with more attention. ‘Do you mean you’ve been thinking over what I proposed the other night?’ "(96-97)
At first he seems to be snooty and secretive about his past, before he corrects himself and fully explains his past jobs, and once again offers Nick a job position. It is not necessary, and it is clear that he does not tell his past to everybody with all of the rumors circulating about Gatsby's job.
He is trying to build trust with Nick, which could be due to the fact that Nick is so closely related to Daisy, so Gatsby feels as though he can trust him as well.
The corruption of the time, influence of Al Capone and the mob, makes it easier to run corrupt businesses and get involved in that world.
Dedicated: "‘We haven’t met for many years,’ said Daisy, her voice as matter-of-fact as it could ever be. ‘Five years next November. The automatic quality of Gatsby’s answer set us all back at least another minute. "(93)
The fact that Gatsby has been counting the days since he had last seen Daisy shows that he is dedicated to his image of Daisy, and that she had been his goal since the very beginning. It is clear that his statement shocked them all, as it is abnormal to keep such a precise track of time since the last meeting. This strengthens the thought that Gatsby is extremely dedicated to Daisy, even though she is already married.
Negative Characteristics:
Love-Struck: "He looked out the window at it, but judging from his expression I don’t believe he saw a thing. "(90)
"He hadn’t once ceased looking at Daisy and I think he revalued everything in his house according to the measure of response it drew from her well-loved eyes."(98)
Gatsby is in a daze when thinking or with Daisy, and seems to be heavily reliant on the thoughts and opinions of Daisy, and overrules his own thoughts. Though it is only one example, it shows what an influence Daisy has on Gatsby, and that he is ready to go to far lengths to appease Daisy.
Demanding and manipulative: " ‘Klipspringer plays the piano,’ said Gatsby, cutting him off. ‘Don’t you, Ewing, old sport?’ ... ‘Don’t talk so much, old sport,’ commanded Gatsby. ‘Play!’ "(101)
Gatsby was demanding of Nick to set up the date with Daisy, using everyone that he meets with the sole purpose of getting together with Daisy. He previously met with Jordan Baker with the sole purpose of trying to meet with Daisy, and also forces Klipspringer to play the piano to impress Daisy.
Nervous/Doubtful: " ‘ He followed me wildly into the kitchen, closed the door and whispered: ‘Oh, God!’ in a miserable way... ‘This is a terrible mistake,’ he said, shaking his head from side to side, ‘a terrible, terrible mistake.’ " (94)
Even though Gatsby seems to be a rich and successful man, he acts like a nervous child after embarrassing himself in front of Daisy. He is frantic and nervous as he desperately wants to impress Daisy, and this nervousness may cause him to make decisions without thinking through properly.
Role:
Jay Gatsby is both an example of the American Dream, and an entrance for Nick to the world of lavish parties and the rich lifestyle. He is an eccentric rich person looking for something more than money can buy, just like Tom. Possible foreshadowing, with a constant need for excitement.
His role at the moment seems to be using others to gain the attention and affection of Daisy, no matter the cost.
The wild times of the roaring twenties sets the scene for the book and the life of Gatsby.