You can find a classroom-ready copy of our Anticipation Guide prompts here.
The Great Gatsby Major Characters
The Great Gatsby Summary: Set in the decadent Jazz Age, F. Scott Fitzgerald’s novel follows the enigmatic millionaire Jay Gatsby and his obsessive quest to win back his former love, Daisy Buchanan.
Through the perspective of narrator Nick Carraway, the story serves as a tragic critique of the moral decay and offers an engaging look at the elusive (and often illusory) nature of the American Dream.
| Character | Short Description |
|---|---|
| Jay Gatsby | A mysterious, self-made millionaire entirely driven by his obsessive desire to win back his former love, Daisy. |
| Nick Carraway | The observant, Midwestern narrator who becomes entangled in the dramatic lives of his wealthy East Coast neighbors. |
| Daisy Buchanan | A charming but superficial socialite who prioritizes wealth and security over genuine love. |
| Tom Buchanan | Daisy’s arrogant and hypocritical “old money” husband who uses his wealth and power to control others. |
| Jordan Baker | A cynical, independent professional golfer who represents the modern, detached women of the 1920s. |
| George Wilson | A beaten-down mechanic living in the Valley of Ashes who is fiercely devoted to his unfaithful wife. |
| Myrtle Wilson | George’s lively wife who attempts to escape her lower-class life through an affair with Tom Buchanan. |
| Anticipation Prompt | Suggested Tone & Vibe |
|---|---|
| People are generally honest with themselves. | Introspective & ChallengingPushes for cynical realizations about self-deception. |
| It’s easier to form opinions about things we don’t understand. | Cynical & DirectA blunt observation about human ignorance and quick judgment. |
| How people think about you is largely determined by how you think of yourself. | Psychological & NuancedExplores the line between confidence and delusion. |
| Wealth without morality is more desirable than morality without wealth. | Highly ProvocativeForces an uncomfortable choice between ethics and comfort. |
| How you got your money matters as much as how much you have. | Analytical & JudgmentalTackles the “Old vs. New Money” social divide. |
| The desire to belong can be stronger than the desire to be yourself. | Empathetic & MelancholicFocuses on the tragedy of losing identity to social class. |
| We tend to over-value what we want more than what we have. | Philosophical & ReflectiveSpeaks to the elusive nature of the “green light.” |
| We become the things we want. (Advanced) | Ominous & DeterministicSuggests obsessions eventually consume the self. |
| Status is just a story people agree to believe. | Deconstructive & ModernChallenges the invisible walls of social constructs. |
| The American Dream is more about the pursuit than the destination. | Wistful & PragmaticA realistic look at the exhaustion of constant striving. |
| Some dreams are better as dreams. | Tragic & ResignedForeshadows the collision of fantasy and reality. |
| The wealthier or more attractive someone is, the more people forgive them for being a bad person. | Blunt & DisillusionedCritiques social privilege and the “halo effect.” |
| What people believe about someone or thing matters more than what is true. | Pragmatic & MachiavellianHighlights the power of rumors and public facades. |
| Success is subjective / People create their own standards. | Open-ended & ExploratoryA non-judgmental starting point for personal values. |
| Some kinds of ‘success’ are ‘good’ and some are ‘bad.’ | Moralistic & PolarizingForces judgment onto gray areas of ambition. |
| Money is the most important currency. (Advanced) | Gritty & AbsoluteChallenges the value of love or honor against capital. |
Looking for more classroom discussion resources?
If you are planning anticipation guides and critical thinking activities for other units, consider adding these resources to your lesson plans:
Great Gatsby Anticipation Guide Agree/Disagree Statements (plain text)
1. Desire can obscure judgment.
2. People are generally honest with themselves.
3. It’s easier to form opinions about things we don’t understand.
4. How people think about you is largely determined by how you think of yourself.
5. Wealth without morality is more desirable than morality without wealth.
6. How you got your money matters as much as how much you have.
7. The desire to belong can be stronger than the desire to be yourself.
8. We tend to over-value what we want more than what we have.
9. We become the things we want.
10. Status is just a story people agree to believe.
11. The American Dream is more about the pursuit than the destination.
12. Some dreams are better as dreams.
13. We tend to value what we want more than what we have.
14. The wealthier or more attractive someone is, the more people forgive them for being a bad person.
15. What people believe about someone or thing matters more than what is true.
16. Success is subjective.
17. People are generally honest with themselves.
18. It’s easier to form opinions about things we don’t understand.
19. How people think about you is largely determined by how you think of yourself.
20. People create their own standards for success.
21. Some kinds of ‘success’ are ‘good’ and some are ‘bad.’
22. (Advanced) We become the things we want.
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