Now that the plot has been established, I will begin my analysis. First, the characters.
Nick Carraway- Nick is the alter-ego of Fitzgerald. He is the kind of person Fitzgerald wishes he was. He observes the moral decay, yet does not entirely yield to it. In the end, he walks away from it; what Fitzgerald could not do. Although he really is not the main character, he is the narrator because he is not consumed in either lifestyles: West or East egg.
Jay Gatsby- Gatsby is the most intricate of all the characters. He has an entire facade created to mask his ultimate lameness. Gatsby is an extrovert and an introvert at the same time; he just wants everything too much, yet he is so afraid to seem weak; he even had Jordan ask Nick about tea for him, because he didn't want to seem overzealous and well... human. He thought because he had this new lifestyle, he should be above human weakness, including emotion. He grew up poor and despised it, mainly because it cost him is greatest love. Perhaps he was once a moral, decent chap but those days were behind him. He became wealthy at any cost. It appeared he was charming and glamorous, but really he was a hopeless romantic who truly believed once he obtained a fortune, Daisy would run to him and his life would be complete. He is almost naive; with all credulity he assumes that the fates are designed to please him. He is also egotistical. He often says things like, "My house looks good from here, right?" He gloats in his facade because it makes him feel safe. He has been the insecure, poor boy his whole life and for once he wants to be the one others envy. Fitzgerald is also similar to Gatsby, but I don't think he enjoys being similar to him, which is maybe one of the reasons he killed him off in the end.
Daisy Buchanan- If there is a character in this book who I actually liked, Daisy wouldn't be it. I think she is so petty and annoying, but when I really started thinking about it, her character makes complete sense. Daisy never felt she had control of her life. She was never appreciated by anyone for anything besides beauty and elegance. She sucked into a life of propriety. I think she really wanted to live for love, yet she did not have the willpower to resist marrying for money; her love for security consumes her. I think she completely gave up; she knew she could not be more than a typical housewife, and only felt appreciated when she acted insolent and careless. When she acted careless, it made her forget. She has no self respect. Despite Tom's unfaithfulness, she wouldn't leave him in fear of living a life where she actually has to work hard and figure out what she actually wants. When Gatsby reappears, Daisy seems to think she can have the best of both worlds. She wants to be a hopeless romantic, but can't get rid of the safety net.
Jordan Baker- Though Jordan isn't really a main character, she is basically an idiom of the 20's. Jordan is reckless, careless, independent and frankly, I actually really like her. She always seems to fit in the both the new and old lifestyles. Nick and her obviously didn't work out, mostly because they were polar opposites. But I really think Jordan created a facade as well; I don't think she wasn't as popular growing up. I think she has a need for attention that consumes her. She is famous and glamorous, but on the inside I think she despises what she has become, similar to Fitzgerald.
Myrtle Wilson- Yet another character who represents Fitzgerald! Myrtle totally gave in to the moral decay, and what did she get? She ended up dead! The poor girl is truly pathetic. Her character really represents the majority in the Jazz Age; true, most were unethical, but only a few ended up as the infamous Gatsby. Most were like Myrtle, or Fitzgerald, a lot of booze and not so much success.
The Valley of Ashes- though a valley is totally not a character, it's much cooler than any of them. When you scrape away the glitz and glamor of the Jazz Age, you get The Valley of Ashes: a cold, hard, numb and constant pain. The Valley of Ashes is a darkness that consumed everyone; it's the tattered heart beneath the smile.
Overall, most of the novel was set up simply for the ending. It's like the first 120 pages are basically an appetizer and then we get to the steak and mash potatoes in the last fifty, sixty pages. Once Gatsby has obtained his fortune, he feels obligated to win the love of his life. Seeing as Nick hooked them up, things are going pretty well for him. Gatsby finally has Daisy, well, kind of. Gatsby really doesn't understand why Daisy won't leave Tom. Everything was supposed to work out; he had the money, the connections, the society, the house, the parties. He had everything and it still wasn't enough. He had everything that comes with moral decay: false happiness, temporal wealth and it wasn't enough. He really can't comprehend it. Fitzgerald was just trying to say when you give into the temptations of the modern world, you still won't be happy. Though everyone around you seems as happy as can be, they aren't happy either. When the morals decay, true happiness decays as well. Plus, you may end up dead in your swimming pool. Basically the next time the government says don't drink, listen. But more seriously, Fitzgerald is completely bitter about the way he and those around him cannot resist the exciting, unethical ways of the Jazz Age; thus in the end of this novel, it doesn't work out for anyone who gave in and he realizes it won't work for him either.
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