Meet the complex characters of F. Scott Fitzgerald's The Great... Show more
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Updated Mar 28, 2026
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Character Profiles of The Great Gatsby
daisy-may
@daisymay_ntkc
1 / 4
Jordan Baker: The Modern Woman
Jordan Baker embodies the "flapper girl" of the roaring twenties - confident, careless, and completely unapologetic about it. She's a professional golfer who represents the new breed of emancipated women who flouted traditional expectations of respectability and marriage.
Nick finds himself both "enchanted and repelled" by Jordan's dishonesty and privileged attitude. Her famous line about being a careful driver because she hates "careless people" reveals the irony of her character - she's actually quite reckless herself.
Jordan's golden skin and attractive appearance make her socially powerful, but critics suggest deeper meanings. Some argue she represents sexual ambivalence, whilst others see her as potentially mixed-race, trying to "pass" as white for social mobility.
Key insight: Jordan's dishonesty isn't just personal - it reflects the moral corruption of the wealthy elite in 1920s America.
Myrtle Wilson: The Failed Social Climber
Myrtle Wilson desperately wants to escape her working-class life, and she thought marrying George Wilson would be her ticket up. When that failed spectacularly, she turned to Tom Buchanan as her route to upward social mobility.
Her affair with Tom isn't about love - it's about class aspiration. Myrtle tries to reinvent herself through expensive clothes and materialistic consumption, but she can't naturally embody the upperclass habitus she desperately wants.
The tragedy of Myrtle's story shows how difficult it was for women to change their social position independently. She's literally and figuratively trapped - by her marriage, her class, and ultimately by the car that kills her.
Remember this: Myrtle's death symbolises the fate of those who try to reshape their lives in a rigid class system.
Nick Carraway: The Unreliable Observer
Nick claims to be "one of the few honest people" he's ever known, but his narration is anything but reliable. He's simultaneously inside and outside the action - "enchanted and repelled" by the wealthy world he observes.
As our retrospective narrator, Nick tells the story from memory years later, which means his account is filtered through time, emotion, and personal bias. He switches between first and third person, showing his contradictory nature as both participant and observer.
Nick's moral standards become increasingly clouded throughout the novel. Despite criticising others for their behaviour, he mingles with people he finds unpleasant and makes his own questionable choices, particularly regarding his relationship with Jordan.
Critical point: Nick's unreliability as a narrator means we must question everything he tells us about the other characters.
Tom Buchanan: Old Money Arrogance
Tom represents everything wrong with inherited wealth and privilege. He's physically imposing, emotionally brutal, and completely protected from consequences by his financial and social status.
His relationship with Daisy is built on shared history and social position rather than genuine connection. Meanwhile, his affair with Myrtle satisfies his need for sexual dominance and gives him someone he can control completely.
Tom feels genuinely threatened by the American Dream ideology and the changing social order. His racist views and fear of losing his privileged position make him desperate to maintain the status quo, no matter who gets hurt.
Essential understanding: Tom's "carelessness" isn't accidental - it's the deliberate cruelty of someone who's never faced real consequences.
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Wow, I am really amazed. I just tried the app because I've seen it advertised many times and was absolutely stunned. This app is THE HELP you want for school and above all, it offers so many things, such as workouts and fact sheets, which have been VERY helpful to me personally.
Anna
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Best app on earth! no words because it’s too good
Thomas R
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Just amazing. Let's me revise 10x better, this app is a quick 10/10. I highly recommend it to anyone. I can watch and search for notes. I can save them in the subject folder. I can revise it any time when I come back. If you haven't tried this app, you're really missing out.
Basil
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This app has made me feel so much more confident in my exam prep, not only through boosting my own self confidence through the features that allow you to connect with others and feel less alone, but also through the way the app itself is centred around making you feel better. It is easy to navigate, fun to use, and helpful to anyone struggling in absolutely any way.
David K
iOS user
The app's just great! All I have to do is enter the topic in the search bar and I get the response real fast. I don't have to watch 10 YouTube videos to understand something, so I'm saving my time. Highly recommended!
Sudenaz Ocak
Android user
In school I was really bad at maths but thanks to the app, I am doing better now. I am so grateful that you made the app.
Greenlight Bonnie
Android user
very reliable app to help and grow your ideas of Maths, English and other related topics in your works. please use this app if your struggling in areas, this app is key for that. wish I'd of done a review before. and it's also free so don't worry about that.
Rohan U
Android user
I know a lot of apps use fake accounts to boost their reviews but this app deserves it all. Originally I was getting 4 in my English exams and this time I got a grade 7. I didn’t even know about this app three days until the exam and it has helped A LOT. Please actually trust me and use it as I’m sure you too will see developments.
Xander S
iOS user
THE QUIZES AND FLASHCARDS ARE SO USEFUL AND I LOVE Knowunity AI. IT ALSO IS LITREALLY LIKE CHATGPT BUT SMARTER!! HELPED ME WITH MY MASCARA PROBLEMS TOO!! AS WELL AS MY REAL SUBJECTS ! DUHHH 😍😁😲🤑💗✨🎀😮
Elisha
iOS user
This apps acc the goat. I find revision so boring but this app makes it so easy to organize it all and then you can ask the freeeee ai to test yourself so good and you can easily upload your own stuff. highly recommend as someone taking mocks now
Paul T
iOS user
The app is very easy to use and well designed. I have found everything I was looking for so far and have been able to learn a lot from the presentations! I will definitely use the app for a class assignment! And of course it also helps a lot as an inspiration.
Stefan S
iOS user
This app is really great. There are so many study notes and help [...]. My problem subject is French, for example, and the app has so many options for help. Thanks to this app, I have improved my French. I would recommend it to anyone.
Samantha Klich
Android user
Wow, I am really amazed. I just tried the app because I've seen it advertised many times and was absolutely stunned. This app is THE HELP you want for school and above all, it offers so many things, such as workouts and fact sheets, which have been VERY helpful to me personally.
Anna
iOS user
Best app on earth! no words because it’s too good
Thomas R
iOS user
Just amazing. Let's me revise 10x better, this app is a quick 10/10. I highly recommend it to anyone. I can watch and search for notes. I can save them in the subject folder. I can revise it any time when I come back. If you haven't tried this app, you're really missing out.
Basil
Android user
This app has made me feel so much more confident in my exam prep, not only through boosting my own self confidence through the features that allow you to connect with others and feel less alone, but also through the way the app itself is centred around making you feel better. It is easy to navigate, fun to use, and helpful to anyone struggling in absolutely any way.
David K
iOS user
The app's just great! All I have to do is enter the topic in the search bar and I get the response real fast. I don't have to watch 10 YouTube videos to understand something, so I'm saving my time. Highly recommended!
Sudenaz Ocak
Android user
In school I was really bad at maths but thanks to the app, I am doing better now. I am so grateful that you made the app.
Greenlight Bonnie
Android user
very reliable app to help and grow your ideas of Maths, English and other related topics in your works. please use this app if your struggling in areas, this app is key for that. wish I'd of done a review before. and it's also free so don't worry about that.
Rohan U
Android user
I know a lot of apps use fake accounts to boost their reviews but this app deserves it all. Originally I was getting 4 in my English exams and this time I got a grade 7. I didn’t even know about this app three days until the exam and it has helped A LOT. Please actually trust me and use it as I’m sure you too will see developments.
Xander S
iOS user
THE QUIZES AND FLASHCARDS ARE SO USEFUL AND I LOVE Knowunity AI. IT ALSO IS LITREALLY LIKE CHATGPT BUT SMARTER!! HELPED ME WITH MY MASCARA PROBLEMS TOO!! AS WELL AS MY REAL SUBJECTS ! DUHHH 😍😁😲🤑💗✨🎀😮
Elisha
iOS user
This apps acc the goat. I find revision so boring but this app makes it so easy to organize it all and then you can ask the freeeee ai to test yourself so good and you can easily upload your own stuff. highly recommend as someone taking mocks now
Paul T
iOS user
Character Profiles of The Great Gatsby
daisy-may
@daisymay_ntkc
Meet the complex characters of F. Scott Fitzgerald's The Great Gatsby- each one representing different aspects of 1920s American society. From the mysterious Jordan Baker to the tragic Myrtle Wilson, these characters reveal the tensions between old money, new... Show more
Jordan Baker: The Modern Woman
Jordan Baker embodies the "flapper girl" of the roaring twenties - confident, careless, and completely unapologetic about it. She's a professional golfer who represents the new breed of emancipated women who flouted traditional expectations of respectability and marriage.
Nick finds himself both "enchanted and repelled" by Jordan's dishonesty and privileged attitude. Her famous line about being a careful driver because she hates "careless people" reveals the irony of her character - she's actually quite reckless herself.
Jordan's golden skin and attractive appearance make her socially powerful, but critics suggest deeper meanings. Some argue she represents sexual ambivalence, whilst others see her as potentially mixed-race, trying to "pass" as white for social mobility.
Key insight: Jordan's dishonesty isn't just personal - it reflects the moral corruption of the wealthy elite in 1920s America.
Sign up to see the contentIt's free!
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Myrtle Wilson: The Failed Social Climber
Myrtle Wilson desperately wants to escape her working-class life, and she thought marrying George Wilson would be her ticket up. When that failed spectacularly, she turned to Tom Buchanan as her route to upward social mobility.
Her affair with Tom isn't about love - it's about class aspiration. Myrtle tries to reinvent herself through expensive clothes and materialistic consumption, but she can't naturally embody the upperclass habitus she desperately wants.
The tragedy of Myrtle's story shows how difficult it was for women to change their social position independently. She's literally and figuratively trapped - by her marriage, her class, and ultimately by the car that kills her.
Remember this: Myrtle's death symbolises the fate of those who try to reshape their lives in a rigid class system.
Sign up to see the contentIt's free!
Access to all documents
Improve your grades
Join milions of students
Nick Carraway: The Unreliable Observer
Nick claims to be "one of the few honest people" he's ever known, but his narration is anything but reliable. He's simultaneously inside and outside the action - "enchanted and repelled" by the wealthy world he observes.
As our retrospective narrator, Nick tells the story from memory years later, which means his account is filtered through time, emotion, and personal bias. He switches between first and third person, showing his contradictory nature as both participant and observer.
Nick's moral standards become increasingly clouded throughout the novel. Despite criticising others for their behaviour, he mingles with people he finds unpleasant and makes his own questionable choices, particularly regarding his relationship with Jordan.
Critical point: Nick's unreliability as a narrator means we must question everything he tells us about the other characters.
Sign up to see the contentIt's free!
Access to all documents
Improve your grades
Join milions of students
Tom Buchanan: Old Money Arrogance
Tom represents everything wrong with inherited wealth and privilege. He's physically imposing, emotionally brutal, and completely protected from consequences by his financial and social status.
His relationship with Daisy is built on shared history and social position rather than genuine connection. Meanwhile, his affair with Myrtle satisfies his need for sexual dominance and gives him someone he can control completely.
Tom feels genuinely threatened by the American Dream ideology and the changing social order. His racist views and fear of losing his privileged position make him desperate to maintain the status quo, no matter who gets hurt.
Essential understanding: Tom's "carelessness" isn't accidental - it's the deliberate cruelty of someone who's never faced real consequences.
We thought you’d never ask...
What is the Knowunity AI companion?
Our AI Companion is a student-focused AI tool that offers more than just answers. Built on millions of Knowunity resources, it provides relevant information, personalised study plans, quizzes, and content directly in the chat, adapting to your individual learning journey.
Where can I download the Knowunity app?
You can download the app from Google Play Store and Apple App Store.
Is Knowunity really free of charge?
That's right! Enjoy free access to study content, connect with fellow students, and get instant help – all at your fingertips.
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Most popular content: Literary Analysis
Most popular content in English Literature
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Can't find what you're looking for? Explore other subjects.
Students love us — and so will you.
4.6/5
App Store
4.7/5
Google Play
The app is very easy to use and well designed. I have found everything I was looking for so far and have been able to learn a lot from the presentations! I will definitely use the app for a class assignment! And of course it also helps a lot as an inspiration.
Stefan S
iOS user
This app is really great. There are so many study notes and help [...]. My problem subject is French, for example, and the app has so many options for help. Thanks to this app, I have improved my French. I would recommend it to anyone.
Samantha Klich
Android user
Wow, I am really amazed. I just tried the app because I've seen it advertised many times and was absolutely stunned. This app is THE HELP you want for school and above all, it offers so many things, such as workouts and fact sheets, which have been VERY helpful to me personally.
Anna
iOS user
Best app on earth! no words because it’s too good
Thomas R
iOS user
Just amazing. Let's me revise 10x better, this app is a quick 10/10. I highly recommend it to anyone. I can watch and search for notes. I can save them in the subject folder. I can revise it any time when I come back. If you haven't tried this app, you're really missing out.
Basil
Android user
This app has made me feel so much more confident in my exam prep, not only through boosting my own self confidence through the features that allow you to connect with others and feel less alone, but also through the way the app itself is centred around making you feel better. It is easy to navigate, fun to use, and helpful to anyone struggling in absolutely any way.
David K
iOS user
The app's just great! All I have to do is enter the topic in the search bar and I get the response real fast. I don't have to watch 10 YouTube videos to understand something, so I'm saving my time. Highly recommended!
Sudenaz Ocak
Android user
In school I was really bad at maths but thanks to the app, I am doing better now. I am so grateful that you made the app.
Greenlight Bonnie
Android user
very reliable app to help and grow your ideas of Maths, English and other related topics in your works. please use this app if your struggling in areas, this app is key for that. wish I'd of done a review before. and it's also free so don't worry about that.
Rohan U
Android user
I know a lot of apps use fake accounts to boost their reviews but this app deserves it all. Originally I was getting 4 in my English exams and this time I got a grade 7. I didn’t even know about this app three days until the exam and it has helped A LOT. Please actually trust me and use it as I’m sure you too will see developments.
Xander S
iOS user
THE QUIZES AND FLASHCARDS ARE SO USEFUL AND I LOVE Knowunity AI. IT ALSO IS LITREALLY LIKE CHATGPT BUT SMARTER!! HELPED ME WITH MY MASCARA PROBLEMS TOO!! AS WELL AS MY REAL SUBJECTS ! DUHHH 😍😁😲🤑💗✨🎀😮
Elisha
iOS user
This apps acc the goat. I find revision so boring but this app makes it so easy to organize it all and then you can ask the freeeee ai to test yourself so good and you can easily upload your own stuff. highly recommend as someone taking mocks now
Paul T
iOS user
The app is very easy to use and well designed. I have found everything I was looking for so far and have been able to learn a lot from the presentations! I will definitely use the app for a class assignment! And of course it also helps a lot as an inspiration.
Stefan S
iOS user
This app is really great. There are so many study notes and help [...]. My problem subject is French, for example, and the app has so many options for help. Thanks to this app, I have improved my French. I would recommend it to anyone.
Samantha Klich
Android user
Wow, I am really amazed. I just tried the app because I've seen it advertised many times and was absolutely stunned. This app is THE HELP you want for school and above all, it offers so many things, such as workouts and fact sheets, which have been VERY helpful to me personally.
Anna
iOS user
Best app on earth! no words because it’s too good
Thomas R
iOS user
Just amazing. Let's me revise 10x better, this app is a quick 10/10. I highly recommend it to anyone. I can watch and search for notes. I can save them in the subject folder. I can revise it any time when I come back. If you haven't tried this app, you're really missing out.
Basil
Android user
This app has made me feel so much more confident in my exam prep, not only through boosting my own self confidence through the features that allow you to connect with others and feel less alone, but also through the way the app itself is centred around making you feel better. It is easy to navigate, fun to use, and helpful to anyone struggling in absolutely any way.
David K
iOS user
The app's just great! All I have to do is enter the topic in the search bar and I get the response real fast. I don't have to watch 10 YouTube videos to understand something, so I'm saving my time. Highly recommended!
Sudenaz Ocak
Android user
In school I was really bad at maths but thanks to the app, I am doing better now. I am so grateful that you made the app.
Greenlight Bonnie
Android user
very reliable app to help and grow your ideas of Maths, English and other related topics in your works. please use this app if your struggling in areas, this app is key for that. wish I'd of done a review before. and it's also free so don't worry about that.
Rohan U
Android user
I know a lot of apps use fake accounts to boost their reviews but this app deserves it all. Originally I was getting 4 in my English exams and this time I got a grade 7. I didn’t even know about this app three days until the exam and it has helped A LOT. Please actually trust me and use it as I’m sure you too will see developments.
Xander S
iOS user
THE QUIZES AND FLASHCARDS ARE SO USEFUL AND I LOVE Knowunity AI. IT ALSO IS LITREALLY LIKE CHATGPT BUT SMARTER!! HELPED ME WITH MY MASCARA PROBLEMS TOO!! AS WELL AS MY REAL SUBJECTS ! DUHHH 😍😁😲🤑💗✨🎀😮
Elisha
iOS user
This apps acc the goat. I find revision so boring but this app makes it so easy to organize it all and then you can ask the freeeee ai to test yourself so good and you can easily upload your own stuff. highly recommend as someone taking mocks now
Paul T
iOS user