Character: Jay Gatsby (Leaving Cert English): Revision Notes

Character: Jay Gatsby

Overview - the eponymous protagonist

Jay Gatsby serves as the central character and protagonist of Fitzgerald's novel. The term eponymous means that both the character and the book share the same name, highlighting his importance to the story. Gatsby presents himself as a self-made wealthy gentleman living in the fashionable West Egg area of Long Island. However, as the novel progresses, we discover that his real name is James Gatz, and he was born in humble circumstances in North Dakota.

Gatsby's transformation from poor farm boy to wealthy socialite represents his pursuit of the American Dream. His entire persona is carefully constructed to win the love and acceptance of Daisy Buchanan, a woman he met during his military service in Louisville. This romantic obsession drives every aspect of his character development and ultimately leads to his tragic downfall.

Historical context

Post-war America and the lost generation

The novel takes place in 1922, four years after the end of World War I (1914-1918). Gatsby served as an officer during the war, and he tells Tom that he "did extraordinarily well in the war" and that "every Allied government gave me a decoration [a medal] -- even Montenegro." This military service initially gave him confidence and status, but it also separated him from Daisy, who married Tom Buchanan while Gatsby was overseas.

The war created what became known as the Lost Generation - young people who felt disconnected from traditional values and were deeply affected by the trauma of conflict. Gatsby's melancholic longing and his sense of being separated from an earlier, more innocent time reflects this post-war disillusionment.

The roaring twenties and prohibition

The 1920s brought economic prosperity to America, creating a new class of nouveau riche - people who had recently acquired wealth rather than inheriting it. Gatsby belongs to this group, having made his fortune through mysterious business dealings that are strongly implied to involve organised crime.

The 18th Amendment banned the sale and manufacture of alcohol, creating the Prohibition era. Rather than stopping drinking, this law drove the alcohol trade underground. Gatsby's lavish parties are "stocked with gins and liquors," and his wealth appears to come from involvement in the illegal alcohol business. This connection to bootlegging adds to the mystery surrounding his character and explains why rumours circulate that "somebody told me they thought he killed a man once."

The american dream and social mobility

Gatsby embodies both the promise and the failure of the American Dream. His rise from poverty to wealth demonstrates the possibility of upward social mobility in 1920s America. However, his dream ultimately fails because it focuses on recreating an idealised past rather than building a genuine future.

The green light at the end of Daisy's dock becomes the novel's most important symbol, representing both Gatsby's love for Daisy and the broader American Dream. Nick observes that "possibly it had occurred to him that the colossal significance of that light had now vanished forever...His count of enchanted objects had diminished by one." The light represents hope and possibility, but it remains physically distant and ultimately unattainable.

Gatsby's pursuit of wealth is not for personal satisfaction but to bridge the class gulf between himself and Daisy. He tells Tom: "She only married you because I was poor and she was tired of waiting for me. It was a terrible mistake, but in her heart she never loved anyone except me." This reveals how his criminal activities serve a romantic purpose rather than simple greed.

Key characteristics

Enigmatic and mysterious

Gatsby initially appears as a mysterious figure who hosts elaborate parties while remaining separate from his guests. Nick describes him as having "personality [as] an unbroken series of successful gestures" with "some heightened sensitivity to the promises of life, as if he were related to one of those intricate machines that register earthquakes ten thousand miles away."

The mystery surrounding Gatsby's wealth creates widespread gossip and speculation. Various rumours suggest he might be a murderer, a German spy, or related to Kaiser Wilhelm. These stories contribute to his enigmatic charm but also highlight how his carefully constructed identity remains fragile and unconvincing to those around him.

Resolute and determined

Despite the obstacles he faces, Gatsby shows remarkable determination in pursuing his goals. Nick recognises this as "an extraordinary gift for hope" and "a romantic readiness such as I have never found in any other person." Gatsby's unwavering commitment to winning Daisy back demonstrates both admirable persistence and dangerous obsession.

His resolve extends to practical matters as well. He meticulously plans every detail of his parties and his mansion to create the perfect environment for attracting Daisy's attention. Even when faced with clear evidence that Daisy will not leave Tom, Gatsby refuses to abandon his dream.

Aloof and isolated

Paradoxically, despite hosting crowded parties, Gatsby often appears alone and isolated. Nick notes that "I didn't call to him, for he gave a sudden intimation that he was content to be alone." Many party guests "come and [go] without [meeting] Gatsby at all," highlighting his separation from the very society he tries to join.

This isolation reflects his ostracisation from established social circles. His nouveau riche status and suspected criminal connections prevent him from achieving genuine social acceptance. At his funeral, only his father, Nick, and a few servants attend, emphasising how his pursuit of love and status was fundamentally solitary.

Gatsby and Daisy - the central relationship

The relationship between Gatsby and Daisy forms the emotional core of the novel. Their romance began five years before the main events, when Gatsby was stationed in Louisville as a young officer. Daisy represented everything Gatsby aspired to - beauty, sophistication, and social status.

When Gatsby returns from the war to find Daisy married to Tom, he becomes determined to recreate their past relationship. His entire lifestyle becomes oriented towards this goal. However, the reunion reveals fundamental differences in their characters and expectations.

Daisy is overwhelmed by Gatsby's wealth but also troubled by its mysterious origins. When she visits his mansion and sees his "beautiful shirts," she breaks down crying, but her emotional response seems more about material beauty than genuine love. She comes from "old money" and maintains different values from Gatsby's newly acquired wealth.

The relationship's tragic dimension becomes clear when Gatsby takes responsibility for Myrtle Wilson's death, even though Daisy was driving the car. This act of protection demonstrates his continued devotion, but it also leads directly to his murder by George Wilson. Daisy's failure to attend Gatsby's funeral or even send a message reveals the ultimate emptiness of their connection.

Symbolism and themes

The green light

The green light appears throughout the novel as a multifaceted symbol. It represents Gatsby's specific love for Daisy, but also the broader themes of hope, longing, and the American Dream. The light is visible from Gatsby's mansion but remains physically distant, symbolising the gap between aspiration and reality.

Cars and mechanisation

Gatsby's collection of expensive cars reflects the 1920s fascination with new technology and consumer goods. His yellow Rolls Royce becomes a symbol of his success, but it also becomes the "death car" that kills Myrtle Wilson. This transformation shows how the symbols of the American Dream can become destructive forces.

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