4.2.1

Jay Gatsby

Test yourself

Background to Jay Gatsby's Character

Jay Gatsby is an incredibly wealthy and glamorous, yet deeply mysterious, character. He is known throughout New York’s high society for the extravagant parties he throws at his West Egg mansion.

Illustrative background for James GatzIllustrative background for James Gatz ?? "content

James Gatz

  • We eventually learn that he started life as James Gatz, born to a humble family in the Midwest, but has since completely reinvented himself in order to win the love of Daisy Buchanan.
Illustrative background for Dark romanticIllustrative background for Dark romantic ?? "content

Dark romantic

  • He is hopelessly romantic, but he also seems to have a much darker side as his connections to criminal gangs are implied throughout the story.

Jay Gatsby - Mysterious Character

To almost everybody, Gatsby’s background is a complete mystery, and because of this he is surrounded by rumours and speculation, almost all of which tend to link him to various criminal acts.

Illustrative background for Gossip at Gatsby's partiesIllustrative background for Gossip at Gatsby's parties ?? "content

Gossip at Gatsby's parties

  • Guests at his lavish parties frequently gossip about the background of their host.
  • Some speculate that he has killed somebody, while another popular rumour is that he was a German spy during World War I with close connections to Kaiser Wilhelm II.
    • Perhaps part of Gatsby’s appeal is the mystery of where he came from: he is the talk of New York City, and people flock to his parties in the hope of finding out more about him.
Illustrative background for Gatsby's fortuneIllustrative background for Gatsby's fortune ?? "content

Gatsby's fortune

  • While much of the gossip about Gatsby is unfounded and seemingly untrue, by Chapter Seven it is confirmed that Gatsby made his fortune through illegally selling 'grain alcohol', a crime known as ‘bootlegging’.
  • Nick is wise enough to know that people like Gatsby 'don’t just drift out of nowhere and buy a place on Long Island Sound' (Chapter Three).
Illustrative background for Gatsby's criminal connectionsIllustrative background for Gatsby's criminal connections ?? "content

Gatsby's criminal connections

  • The introduction of Meyer Wolfsheim in Chapter Four is some of the first concrete evidence that Gatsby has connections to the criminal underworld.
  • Tom Buchanan is also deeply suspicious of Gatsby and does his own research into his background. He confronts Gatsby with his findings in front of Daisy.
    • When Daisy realises that Gatsby is a criminal, she drew 'further and further into herself' (Chapter Seven), clearly preferring the safety of a life with Tom to the unpredictability of life with Gatsby.

Jump to other topics

1Specification Overview

1.1Specification Overview

2Context

3Plot Summary

4Character Profiles

5Key Ideas

6Writing Techniques

7Love Through the Ages - Thematic Analysis

Go student ad image

Unlock your full potential with GoStudent tutoring

  • Affordable 1:1 tutoring from the comfort of your home

  • Tutors are matched to your specific learning needs

  • 30+ school subjects covered

Book a free trial lesson