This chapter
Characters 12
Places 0
Nick travels with Tom Buchanan to the valley of ashes where he meets Tom's mistress, Myrtle Wilson, and her husband George. They proceed to Tom and Myrtle's apartment in New York, where a drunken party ensues with Myrtle's sister Catherine and the McKees; the gathering devolves into arguments and ends violently when Tom breaks Myrtle's nose for mentioning Daisy's name.

On stage

Nick Carraway Travels with Tom to the valley of ashes, joins the party at the New York apartment, observes events while drinking, and leaves with Mr. McKee at the end.
Tom Buchanan Forces Nick off the train to meet Myrtle, interacts with George Wilson about a car, hosts the party at the apartment, and breaks Myrtle's nose during an argument.
Myrtle Wilson Meets Tom and Nick at the garage, travels to New York with them, buys a dog and other items, hosts the party in the apartment, changes into an elaborate dress, argues about her marriage, and has her nose broken by Tom.
George Wilson Appears in his garage, discusses selling a car with Tom, fetches chairs for guests, and is deceived about his wife's whereabouts.
Doctor T. J. Eckleburg Broods over the desolate dumping ground and is referenced by characters as they pass by.
Catherine Attends the party, discusses her travels and Gatsby with Nick, gossips about marriages and divorces, and helps console Myrtle after the fight.
Mr. McKee Attends the party with his wife, attempts to photograph guests, discusses his work on Long Island, falls asleep, and invites Nick to lunch while leaving.
Mrs. McKee Attends the party, compliments Myrtle's dress, suggests photo poses, discusses her past romantic decisions, and helps console Myrtle after she is injured.
Main 8

Nick Carraway

Also known as: Mr. Carraway, Nick, the narrator, I

Young bond salesman from a prominent Midwestern family, Yale graduate and WWI veteran. Reserved, tolerant, and inclined to withhold judgment. Travels with Tom to the valley of ashes, joins the party at the New York apartment, observes events while drinking, and leaves with Mr. McKee at the end.

Daisy Buchanan second cousin once removedTom Buchanan college acquaintanceJordan Baker acquaintanceJay Gatsby neighborTom Buchanan acquaintance +3 more

Jay Gatsby

Also known as: Gatsby, Mr. Gatsby, my neighbour, the man who gives his name to this book

Wealthy and mysterious man who lives in the mansion next to Nick in West Egg. He is known for his extravagant parties and an extraordinary gift for hope. Appears standing alone on his lawn at night, stretching his arms toward a distant green light across the bay.

Nick Carraway neighbor

Daisy Buchanan

Also known as: Daisy, my cousin, my second cousin once removed, the other girl

Sad and lovely woman with a thrilling voice, married to Tom Buchanan. She is charming, cynical, and sophisticated. Hosts Nick for dinner at her East Egg home, interacts playfully with him and others, reveals her unhappiness and views on life, and mentions her daughter.

Nick Carraway second cousin once removedTom Buchanan husbandJordan Baker friend from LouisvillePammy Buchanan daughter

Tom Buchanan

Also known as: Tom, her husband, my old friend

Arrogant and wealthy man from East Egg with a history of affairs. He is married to Daisy but maintains a mistress. Forces Nick off the train to meet Myrtle, interacts with George Wilson about a car, hosts the party at the apartment, and breaks Myrtle's nose during an argument.

Daisy Buchanan wifeNick Carraway college acquaintanceJordan Baker guestMyrtle Wilson mistressNick Carraway acquaintance +2 more

Jordan Baker

Also known as: Jordan, Miss Baker, she, the balancing girl, the stranger, the younger of the two +1 más

Slender, small-breasted young woman with a contemptuous expression and erect carriage, a golfer known from pictures and rumors. She is self-sufficient, somewhat bored, and in training. Lies on the couch at the Buchanans' home, speaks minimally during dinner, reveals Tom's affair to Nick, reads from a magazine, and plans to leave for a tournament.

Daisy Buchanan friend from LouisvilleTom Buchanan hostNick Carraway new acquaintance

Myrtle Wilson

Also known as: Mrs. Wilson, Myrtle, Tom's girl, Tom's mistress, his girl

Faintly stout woman in her mid-thirties with intense vitality, married to George Wilson but involved in an affair with Tom. She is materialistic and affected when dressed up. Meets Tom and Nick at the garage, travels to New York with them, buys a dog and other items, hosts the party in the apartment, changes into an elaborate dress, argues about her marriage, and has her nose broken by Tom.

Tom Buchanan loverGeorge Wilson husbandCatherine sisterNick Carraway party guest

George Wilson

Also known as: George B. Wilson, Wilson, old man, proprietor

Blond, spiritless, anaemic, and faintly handsome owner of a struggling garage in the valley of ashes. He is oblivious to his wife's affair. Appears in his garage, discusses selling a car with Tom, fetches chairs for guests, and is deceived about his wife's whereabouts.

Myrtle Wilson wifeTom Buchanan customer and wife's lover

Catherine

Also known as: her sister, the sister

Slender, worldly woman of about thirty with red hair and many bracelets, sister to Myrtle Wilson. She is gossipy and lives with a friend at a hotel. Attends the party, discusses her travels and Gatsby with Nick, gossips about marriages and divorces, and helps console Myrtle after the fight.

Myrtle Wilson sisterTom Buchanan sister's lover
Secondary 4

Pammy Buchanan

Also known as: her daughter, she, the baby

Three-year-old daughter of Tom and Daisy Buchanan. Sleeping and mentioned but does not appear.

Tom Buchanan fatherDaisy Buchanan mother

Doctor T. J. Eckleburg

Also known as: Doctor Eckleburg, eyes of Doctor T. J. Eckleburg

Gigantic blue eyes on a faded billboard advertisement for an oculist, overlooking the valley of ashes. Broods over the desolate dumping ground and is referenced by characters as they pass by.

Mr. McKee

Also known as: Chester, Chester McKee, McKee

Pale, feminine photographer from the apartment below who is in the "artistic game." He is respectful but somewhat boring. Attends the party with his wife, attempts to photograph guests, discusses his work on Long Island, falls asleep, and invites Nick to lunch while leaving.

Mrs. McKee wifeMyrtle Wilson neighbor

Mrs. McKee

Also known as: his wife

Shrill, languid, handsome, and horrible wife of Mr. McKee who is proud of her husband's photography. Attends the party, compliments Myrtle's dress, suggests photo poses, discusses her past romantic decisions, and helps console Myrtle after she is injured.

Mr. McKee husbandMyrtle Wilson neighbor