This chapter
Characters 24
Places 0
A reporter visits Gatsby seeking a story, prompting the narrator to recount Gatsby's true origins as James Gatz, his transformation inspired by Dan Cody's yacht, and his five years of service to the millionaire before inheriting nothing due to Ella Kaye. After weeks apart, Nick witnesses Tom Buchanan, Mr. Sloane, and a lady visit Gatsby's house, followed by Tom and Daisy attending Gatsby's next party where Daisy is both fascinated and appalled, leading to Gatsby's later confession to Nick of his desire to erase Daisy's past with Tom and repeat their love from five years earlier.

On stage

Jay Gatsby Receives a reporter, hosts Tom and the riding party at his home, hosts the large party attended by Tom and Daisy, dances with Daisy, confides in Nick about his dissatisfaction with the party and his plans to reclaim the past with Daisy.
Nick Carraway Brings the story of Gatsby's origins, attends the riding-party visit and the subsequent Gatsby party with Jordan, stays late to talk with Gatsby afterward, and listens to Gatsby's memories and dreams about Daisy.
Tom Buchanan Visits Gatsby's house on horseback with Sloane and the lady, attends Gatsby's party with Daisy, expresses disdain for the guests and Gatsby, and questions Gatsby's background.
Daisy Buchanan Attends Gatsby's party with Tom, dances with Gatsby, reacts with a mix of excitement and appalled judgment to the party, and later inspires Gatsby's nostalgic recounting of their past kiss.
Dan Cody Mentioned as the pivotal figure who gave Gatsby his education and opportunity through service aboard his yacht before dying.
Ella Kaye Manipulative newspaper woman who exploited Dan Cody's weakness and ultimately received his fortune.
Mr. Sloane Visits Gatsby's house, declines hospitality, insists on leaving without Gatsby, and later leaves abruptly.
Miss Baedeker Appears heavily intoxicated at the tipsy table, defends herself against criticism of her drinking, and complains about past incidents.
Doctor Civet Helps or is involved with Miss Baedeker after she is pushed into the pool, criticized for his unsteady hands.
Jordan Baker Mentioned as accompanying Nick in New York during the weeks he did not see Gatsby.
The moving-picture director Gorgeous woman's film director who is seen slowly bending to kiss her under the white-plum tree at the party.
His Star Celebrity actress or movie star sitting under the white-plum tree at Gatsby's party.
Main 10

Nick Carraway

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

Young bond salesman, Yale graduate, and WWI veteran from the Midwest who is tolerant and observant; he lives next door to Gatsby in West Egg. Brings the story of Gatsby's origins, attends the riding-party visit and the subsequent Gatsby party with Jordan, stays late to talk with Gatsby afterward, and listens to Gatsby's memories and dreams about Daisy.

Daisy Buchanan second cousin once removedTom Buchanan college acquaintanceJordan Baker acquaintanceJay Gatsby neighborTom Buchanan acquaintance +17 more

Jay Gatsby

Also known as: Gatsby, Mr. Gatsby, my neighbour, the man who gives his name to this book, my host, old sport +8 más

Ambitious and self-invented man from North Dakota who changed his name at seventeen after meeting Dan Cody; he is romantic, determined, and devoted to an idealized vision of himself and his past love. Receives a reporter, hosts Tom and the riding party at his home, hosts the large party attended by Tom and Daisy, dances with Daisy, confides in Nick about his dissatisfaction with the party and his plans to reclaim the past with Daisy.

Nick Carraway neighborNick Carraway neighbor and guestJordan Baker someone he speaks with privatelyNick Carraway neighbor and lunch companionJordan Baker acquaintance who speaks for him +10 more

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 +4 más

Wealthy, charming, and restless wife of Tom Buchanan; she is Nick's second cousin and Gatsby's former love from Louisville. Attends Gatsby's party with Tom, dances with Gatsby, reacts with a mix of excitement and appalled judgment to the party, and later inspires Gatsby's nostalgic recounting of their past kiss.

Nick Carraway second cousin once removedTom Buchanan husbandJordan Baker friend from LouisvillePammy Buchanan daughterJay Gatsby former love interest from 1917 +9 more

Tom Buchanan

Also known as: Tom, her husband, my old friend, Mr. Buchanan, the polo player

Arrogant and gruff husband of Daisy from a wealthy background; he is suspicious of Gatsby and dismissive of the party guests. Visits Gatsby's house on horseback with Sloane and the lady, attends Gatsby's party with Daisy, expresses disdain for the guests and Gatsby, and questions Gatsby's background.

Daisy Buchanan wifeNick Carraway college acquaintanceJordan Baker guestMyrtle Wilson mistressNick Carraway acquaintance +8 more

Jordan Baker

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

Attractive golf champion and romantic interest of Nick; she is sophisticated but somewhat cynical. Mentioned as accompanying Nick in New York during the weeks he did not see Gatsby.

Daisy Buchanan friend from LouisvilleTom Buchanan hostNick Carraway new acquaintanceNick Carraway romantic interestJay Gatsby someone she knows and speaks with privately +4 more

Myrtle Wilson

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

The mistress of Tom Buchanan, seen working at a garage in the valley of ashes. Briefly glimpsed straining at a garage pump as Gatsby and Nick drive past.

Tom Buchanan loverGeorge Wilson husbandCatherine sisterNick Carraway party guestTom Buchanan lover (implied through context)

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

Meyer Wolfshiem

Also known as: Meyer, Mr. Wolfshiem, Wolfshiem

Business associate mentioned in connection with Gatsby's confidential side business offer. Only referenced by Gatsby as someone Nick would not need to deal with in the proposed venture.

Jay Gatsby friend and associate he admiresNick Carraway mistaken for a business contactJay Gatsby business connection

Dan Cody

Also known as: Mr. Dan Cody, old sport's best friend, Cody

Robust but soft-minded millionaire from the silver and gold rushes who owned the yacht Tuolomee; he employed the young Gatsby for five years. Mentioned as the pivotal figure who gave Gatsby his education and opportunity through service aboard his yacht before dying.

Jay Gatsby best friendJay Gatsby former employeeElla Kaye manipulator
Secondary 14

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

Ewing Klipspringer

Also known as: Ewing, Klipspringer, Mr. Klipspringer, the boarder

Slightly worn young man living as a boarder in Gatsby's house, often unkempt. Embarrassed and reluctant piano player. Is found doing exercises in a bedroom, then plays the piano for Gatsby and Daisy while making excuses about his lack of practice.

Jay Gatsby host

Ella Kaye

the newspaper woman, Madame de Maintenon Manipulative newspaper woman who exploited Dan Cody's weakness and ultimately received his fortune.

Mr. Sloane

Also known as: Sloane

Haughty and ungrateful man who accompanies Tom Buchanan and the lady on their horseback visit to Gatsby's house. Visits Gatsby's house, declines hospitality, insists on leaving without Gatsby, and later leaves abruptly.

Tom Buchanan companion

Miss Baedeker

Also known as: she, the accused, the girl

Drunken and vocal female guest at Gatsby's party who slumps, screams after cocktails, and argues about her behavior. Appears heavily intoxicated at the tipsy table, defends herself against criticism of her drinking, and complains about past incidents.

Doctor Civet acquaintance

Doctor Civet

Also known as: Doc, Doc Civet

Physician or guest at Gatsby's party who is accused of having shaky hands. Helps or is involved with Miss Baedeker after she is pushed into the pool, criticized for his unsteady hands.

Miss Baedeker patient or acquaintance

The moving-picture director

the director, her director Gorgeous woman's film director who is seen slowly bending to kiss her under the white-plum tree at the party.

His Star

the Star, that lady, a gorgeous scarcely human orchid of a woman, she, the girl Celebrity actress or movie star sitting under the white-plum tree at Gatsby's party.