This chapter
Characters 15
Places 0
Nick attends one of Gatsby's lavish parties after receiving a personal invitation, wandering among uninvited guests who gossip wildly about their mysterious host. He finally meets Gatsby, who impresses him with a rare, reassuring smile, and spends time with Jordan Baker while observing the chaotic festivities that end with a car wreck involving the drunk man from the library. Nick later reflects on his growing fascination with New York and his complicated feelings toward the dishonest but appealing Jordan.

On stage

Jay Gatsby Hosts the massive party, sends a formal invitation via his chauffeur, speaks briefly with Nick and invites him for a hydroplane ride, excuses himself for phone calls from Chicago and Philadelphia, stands alone observing his guests approvingly, and bids farewell to departing guests from his porch.
Nick Carraway Attends Gatsby's party as an invited guest, searches for the host, socializes with Jordan Baker and others, converses with Gatsby without initially recognizing him, leaves late after the party, and later reflects on his life in New York and his relationship with Jordan.
Jordan Baker Attends the party, stands on the steps looking contemptuously at the garden, joins Nick and others at a table, helps search for Gatsby, speaks with him privately in the library for an hour, shares gossip about him, and invites Nick to call her before leaving with her party.
Owl Eyes Sits drunk in the Gothic library examining the real books and showing them off, later crashes a coupé in the ditch outside, stands puzzled in the road, and insists he was not driving or even trying while the crowd reacts in shock.
Lucille Sits at a table with Nick, Jordan, and others, recounts receiving a new gown from Gatsby after tearing her previous one, shares and debates rumors that Gatsby killed a man or was a German spy, and performs a baby act with her twin later in the evening.
The other girl in yellow Sits at the table discussing parties and rumors, eagerly suggests Gatsby killed a man, leans forward sharing confidential gossip, and performs a baby act with Lucille later.
Owl Eyes Sits at a table with Nick and Jordan, chats about their shared war experiences in France, offers Nick a ride in his new hydroplane, and is revealed to be Gatsby himself when Nick mentions not having met the host.
Owl Eyes Remains in the crashed car until it is opened, steps out swaying and pawing at the ground, calmly asks if they ran out of gas, stares at the detached wheel, and suggests backing the car out in reverse despite the damage.
Daisy Buchanan Stands beside the piano singing a sad song in a quavering soprano while weeping, with inky tears running down her face from her beaded eyelashes, eventually sinking into a chair and falling into a deep drunken sleep after a humorous suggestion.
Owl Eyes Sits with Jordan's dignified East Egg party, nods cynically when they decide to leave, later engages in an obstetrical conversation with two chorus girls and implores Nick to join him.
Main 8

Nick Carraway

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

Young bond salesman from a prominent Midwestern family, Yale graduate, and WWI veteran living in West Egg. He is reserved, observant, and considers himself one of the few honest people. Attends Gatsby's party as an invited guest, searches for the host, socializes with Jordan Baker and others, converses with Gatsby without initially recognizing him, leaves late after the party, and later reflects on his life in New York and his relationship with Jordan.

Daisy Buchanan second cousin once removedTom Buchanan college acquaintanceJordan Baker acquaintanceJay Gatsby neighborTom Buchanan acquaintance +6 more

Jay Gatsby

Also known as: Gatsby, Mr. Gatsby, my neighbour, the man who gives his name to this book, my host, old sport +2 más

Wealthy and mysterious young man in his early thirties who throws extravagant parties in his mansion next to Nick in West Egg. He has an elegant, somewhat rough appearance, speaks with elaborate formality, and possesses a uniquely reassuring smile. Hosts the massive party, sends a formal invitation via his chauffeur, speaks briefly with Nick and invites him for a hydroplane ride, excuses himself for phone calls from Chicago and Philadelphia, stands alone observing his guests approvingly, and bids farewell to departing guests from his porch.

Nick Carraway neighborNick Carraway neighbor and guestJordan Baker someone he speaks with privately

Daisy Buchanan

Also known as: Daisy, my cousin, my second cousin once removed, the other girl, red-haired young lady from a famous chorus, she

Tall, red-haired young woman from a famous chorus who has drunk too much champagne. She becomes emotional and performs while crying. Stands beside the piano singing a sad song in a quavering soprano while weeping, with inky tears running down her face from her beaded eyelashes, eventually sinking into a chair and falling into a deep drunken sleep after a humorous suggestion.

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, golden-haired golf champion with a bored, haughty expression and a reputation for dishonesty. She is cool, insolent, and avoids clever men while maintaining a jaunty demeanor. Attends the party, stands on the steps looking contemptuously at the garden, joins Nick and others at a table, helps search for Gatsby, speaks with him privately in the library for an hour, shares gossip about him, and invites Nick to call her before leaving with her party.

Daisy Buchanan friend from LouisvilleTom Buchanan hostNick Carraway new acquaintanceNick Carraway romantic interestJay Gatsby someone she knows and speaks with privately

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 7

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

Owl Eyes

Also known as: Jordan’s escort, a man of about my age, another man in the car, apparition, he, man in a long duster +6 más

A persistent young college student escorting Jordan at the party. He makes violent innuendo and expects some form of intimacy with her. Sits with Jordan's dignified East Egg party, nods cynically when they decide to leave, later engages in an obstetrical conversation with two chorus girls and implores Nick to join him.

Nick Carraway fellow WWI veteran and guestOwl Eyes companion in the car wreckJordan Baker escort he hopes to become intimate with

Lucille

One of the two girls in twin yellow dresses who frequently attends Gatsby's parties. She is alert, confident, and casually discusses rumors about Gatsby while accepting his gifts. Sits at a table with Nick, Jordan, and others, recounts receiving a new gown from Gatsby after tearing her previous one, shares and debates rumors that Gatsby killed a man or was a German spy, and performs a baby act with her twin later in the evening.

The other girl in yellow companionJay Gatsby host she gossips about

The other girl in yellow

Also known as: one of the girls in yellow, she, the first girl

One of the two girls in twin yellow dresses at the party. She is eager, gossipy, and speculative about Gatsby's past. Sits at the table discussing parties and rumors, eagerly suggests Gatsby killed a man, leans forward sharing confidential gossip, and performs a baby act with Lucille later.

Lucille companionJay Gatsby host she gossips about