Character Analysis

A strong work of literature is formed through the use of characters which constantly grow and develop throughout the work. As a novel develops, a character experiences many obstacles and achievements that affect his/her development, growth, and morals. The characters used by Harper Lee in “To Kill a Mockingbird” and Paulo Coelho in “The Alchemist” are good examples of well-developed characters that help the author form a stronger plot in the novel.

In “To Kill a Mockingbird” the characters go through many obstacles and experiences that dramatically change both the plot and the character themselves. Scout the main character in “To Kill a Mockingbird” is a very different character at the end of the novel then he was in the beginning. When Scout was first introduced to the reader she was depicted as a sweet, young, and innocent girl. She was oblivious and unaware of the immoral ways blacks were treated in her own town. When Calpurnia takes Scout and Jem to the local black church Scout’s perspective on blacks changes.

Harper Lee describes the building as an ancient paint-peeled frame building near the railroad tracks. Scout, for the first time, sees first hand, how black people live. when the priest of the church asked for donations for Tom Robinson’s wife, people who had close to nothing, gave what they had to support her. She learns that although they live in poverty and have little education, they are caring and kind hearted people. In Maycomb many of the residence falsely say that black people are inferior to whites. Scout does not understand why segregation occurs and is beginning to think that all of her so called “role models” or elders are wrong about their negative opinions about blacks.

Later on in the novel scout encounters another educational obstacle. “it’s like bein a caterpillar in a cocoon” Jem says this quote to Scout in chapter 22, after Tom Robinson lost in the trial. This is when Scout realizes what the real world is like. Although all evidence pointed towards Bob Ewell, Tom Robinson was still found guilty. At this point scout really sees the true effect of racism on the world especially in Maycomb. This is a very emotional moment for Scout and she begins to cry. Scout’s personal grows is demonstrated in this scene. She begins to see the bigger picture of racism and not just what goes on in the small town of Maycomb. Scout continues to develop as a character and becomes a lot more mature and aware by the end of the novel.

The growth and development of a character is also seen in the book “The Alchemist” with the main character Santiago. At the start of the novel Santiago is a poor young shepherd who has very little and does not believe in his dreams. Although everything changes when he embarks on the search for his personal legend. Santiago begins his journey with only the money he got from selling his sheep. Santiago’s first stop was the city of Tangier. He sat at a bar and realized that he doesn’t speak Arabic and had no way to communicate with the local people. When, all of a sudden, a young man came up to Santiago and began speaking Spanish, he did not know that this man was a thief. Santiago made the mistake of trusting the man with his money and was robbed.

In this scene Santiago grows as a character by realizing that not everyone can be trusted because there are many bad people in the world. This experience helps him become more independent and careful. Santiago has another experience, in the middle of the desert, while he and the Alchemist travel to find enlightenment. When they are captured by an Arab tribe and are convicted of spying, the Alchemist tells the tribe’s chief that Santiago is the Alchemist and that in three days he will turn into the wind.

The chief replies by saying that if he has been lied to they will both be put to death. Santiago gets overwhelmed by fear and is convinced that he will die. This is a huge milestone in Santiago’s life because he finally learns to overcome fear. The Alchemist explains to him that fear is the only obstacle in the journey of your personal legend. Santiago develops and grows as a character dramatically throughout the book. Paulo Coelho does an outstanding job in connecting the reader with the character on his journey of personal growth.

As you can see, character growth is a significant part in the development of a novel. Without the development of a character a reader becomes uninterested in the character and his/her actions. The reader becomes more involved with the characters as their personality grows and matures throughout the novel.

In the novel The Alchemist by Paulo Coelho, the main character Santiago experiences a spiritual transformation as he meets the old king Melchizedek, accepts his Personal Legend and chases after his treasure. As a reader, it would appear as though Santiago’s Personal Legend is unattainable. However, as Santiago chases after his Personal Legend, the reader understands that through his spirit and motivation, his goal becomes realistic.

In the beginning of The Alchemist, the reader notices a shift in Santiago’s attitude when the dreams of him finding treasure in the pyramids start to occur. Santiago becomes enchanted by the idea that there is a treasure out there waiting for him to discover. Santiago experiences extrinsic motivation as his desire to go pursue his treasure will lead him to an outcome that is apart from him. Coelho uses Santiago’s dreams to foreshadow events to come and display Santiago’s true desires. “It’s the possibility of having a dream come true that makes life interesting, he thought as he looked again at the position of the sun and hurried his pace”(11).

Santiago marvels at the details of his dream and he believes that his dream can become a reality; this is what sets the mood for the first part of the story as he is totally driven by the idea of finding a grand treasure. Santiago also remembers that Melchizedek explains that when someone choses to follow their Personal Legend, the Universe works to assist that person. “There was nothing to hold him back except himself. The sheep, the merchant’s daughter, and the fields of Andalusia were only steps along the way to his Personal Legend” (28). From this, the reader senses Santiago’s faith in his Personal Legend and his determination to make his dream come true.

The author also puts in the conflict of Man vs Self in The Alchemist, showing that Santiago deals with an internal conflict after he is robbed by the con-man in Tangier. He feels betrayed and loses faith in achieving his Personal Legend because of this. “I’m going to become bitter and distrustful of people because one person betrayed me. I’m going to hate those who have found their treasure because I never found mind. And I’m going to hold on to what little I have, because I’m too insignificant to conquer the world” (39).

Coelho inserted this part into the novel to really demonstrated to the reader all of the thoughts and emotions that Santiago was experiencing after the robbery. Should Santiago wallow in self-pity and bitterness or press forward to his Personal Legend? It would have been easy as to stop everything he was doing and to try to go back home because his drive and motivation decreased after the robbery. “He realized that he had to choose between thinking of himself as the poor victim of a thief and as an adventurer in quest of his treasure” (42). It is shown here that Santiago’s resilience comes up again and he presses on despite failure.

In another part of the book, the reader would see other characters telling about Santiago’s character and actions. The Crystal Merchant, a flat character that has the same job throughout the novel who lacks motivation and drive because of his circumstances, notices something special about Santiago. Santiago is seen as a “good omen”, as he attracts more customers in with his cleaning of the crystal; one would notice that omens are mentioned throughout the novel, good or bad. “I am proud of you”, he said. “You brought a new feeling into my crystal shop. But you know that I’m not going to Mecca. Just as you know that you’re not going to buy your sheep” (47). This moment foreshadows Santiago’s continuance of his Personal Legend and pursuit of his treasure. It was those words of encouragement from the Crystal Merchant that restored the drive, focus, and motivation that Santiago had once lost in order to continue his quest.

Sailor Moon, otherwise, known as Usagi Tsukino, is a well-meaning, underperforming, accident-prone crybaby fourteen-year-old destined to save the world. She effortlessly makes friends, is outgoing and over enthusiastic. This in real time puts her temperament in dispute with the opposite Sailor troopers; she hardly ever uses proper grammar with those of her age and refers to everyone as ‘given name-chan’ (which is an informal manner of conveying closeness). She ridiculers Ami when Ami continues referring to her as ‘Tsukino-san’ (a formal way of speaking to classmates), suggesting that it is as if they are not friends.

Each time another Sailor Soldier arrives, Usagi instantly tries to become friends, although nearly all of them hesitate. Usagi additionally has a tendency of imposing her curiosities on the individuals who she develops friendships with. Mamoru Chiba, also known as Tuxedo Mask, (the reincarnated Prince of Earth, Endymion) is Usagi’s current and previous boyfriend. Centuries ago, Endymion was killed by the followers of Negaforce, she fell into a depressive state and committed suicide. The relationship of Usagi and Mamoru plays a vital a part in Usagi’s personal life, and the development of the whole series. Mamoru and Usagi remain a couple for a great amount of time during the whole of the series allowing they’re shared love to expedite her during the many obstacles that arise.

Although she is ordained to save the world, as a student Usagi battles to pay attention in class and struggles in mathematics and English. The series begins in Azabu Jūban, Usagi lives here with her parents and younger brother; Shing Tsukino. Minako Aino and Usagi are the lone sailor soldiers to live in a conjugal family, and the only one identified to possess a relative is Usagi. One day, as Usagi is walking to school (late as always) she comes across a mysterious cat, who later discloses herself to be Luna, a mentor archetype who presents Usagi with her new heroic role.

Luna gives Usagi a magical brooch that enables her to transform into Sailor Moon, the Soldier of Love and Justice, (and the reincarnated moon princes); she expresses to Usagi that she may be a Sailor Soldier who should fight for peace and discover the remainder of the Sailor troopers, as well as their princess. She is additionally charged with the mission to defeat the Negaforce that was commencing to become independent from of the seal placed upon by the long-dead Queen Serenity.

At first, Usagi may be a hesitant heroine, but she becomes more self-assured and developed as the series progresses. Sailor Moon, intends on fighting the evildoers from her previous life to shield the planet through the using the Silver Crystal. There is no difference in her temperament from her civilian lifestyle, besides the certain powers she contains in her Sailor Moon form. Sailor Moon’s attacks focus on the moon, light, love, and mystery. Beginning as a reluctant and frightened woman typically in want of facilitate, she slowly accepts her complete existence. Ultimately, she embodies the role of the supreme Sailor Soldier within the galaxy, nevertheless her capability for caring for others is still more effective and powerful. Sailor Moon’s look and title modification alter at major points of the series as she develops and accepts her further powers and responsibilities.

Once the Sailor troopers were formed, Usagi discovers she belongs to the race, Silver Millennium, she learns that she was sent her into the future to be reincarnated in Earth by her mother. In the second series, Usagi learns that she is going to provide birth to a female offspring (Chibiusa) by her lover and impending husband. Chibiusa, age 7, comes from the future, at an awkward time for Usagi (since she is still maturing and learning to find herself); due to her immaturity she often quarrels with her daughter Chibiusa but shows just as much caring and love. Despite being lazy, Usagi is extremely protective and caring about her loved ones and drives to do her best. It is prophesied that by the thirtieth century, Usagi may become Neo-Queen Serenity, the ruler of Crystal Tokyo, beside her husband King Endymion in an exceedingly new age referred to as crystal millennium. With such a hectic lifestyle it appears that Usagi has many disorders, most of which tie in together.

Usagi appears to express symptoms of Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) through her actions in school and related areas. ADHD is commonly defined as a behavioral and cognitive development disorder characterized by behavioral clinical criteria. Symptoms of ADHD contain basic cognitive process inattentiveness (not having the ability to stay focus), hyperactivity (excess movement that’s not fitting to the setting) and impulsivity (hasty acts that occur within the moment without thought). Although it is predominately a “kids” disorder, adults still suffer from similar symptoms.

Usagi’s disorder become clear when associated with school affiliations and social encounters. She typically fails to offer immediate attention to details and is sloppy in school assignments and ‘work’. She has trouble holding attention on tasks and does not seem to listen when spoken to directly (especially noticeable with Luna). Due to her inattentive behavior towards Luna she fails to follow instructions and does not complete her tasks and heredity being major influence. For a reincarnated princess and teenage girl who faces near death experiences on a daily basis it is hard not to constantly be hypervigilant. Since Usagi is a reincarnation of Sailor Moon, she has a strong connection with her past life and requires a lot of attention and reassurance.

Heredity, exposure to toxic substances, injury to the brain, pregnancy complications, and dopaminergic functions are all contributing theories to how ADHD develops. “ADHD symptoms tend to run in families. Studies show that one in four children with a diagnosis of ADHD will have a close family member with ADHD.” (Iliades) Tobacco smoke and alcohol are two toxins that are found to extend the chance of ADHD in kids. Smoking and drinking throughout maternity are related to a variety of great health risks for the mother and fetus. Not startlingly, many studies have specifically coupled these substances to associate multiplied risk of having a baby with ADHD.

Injury to the brain are often the results of trauma (serious blow to the head), tumor, stroke, or brain injury. These factors will cause issues with basic cognitive process and poor regulation of motor activity and impulses; whereas such circumstances may result in a very designation of ADHD, the incidence of such is atypical. Many researchers found that problematic pregnancy can lead to ADHD such as: incompletely fetal development in the womb, brain/head complications of the infant during delivery, high blood pressure during a pregnancy, bleeding prior to the delivery of the baby, babies born premature, babies who remain in the womb beyond their due day, long delivery time, and anything that impacts the baby’s oxygen supply during birth are all contributors to the kid having ADHD.

“The dynamic developmental behavioral theory is based on the hypothesis that altered dopaminergic function plays a pivotal role by failing to modulate nondopaminergic (primarily glutamate and gaba) signal transmission appropriately.” (Sagvolden) A hypofunctioning mesolimbic Dopastat branch produces altered reinforcement of behavior and deficient extinction of antservitudes.

She has difficulties constructing tasks and activities and is usually late to class and different necessary events. She often avoids tasks that require mental effort over a long period of time (such as as schoolwork or homework) and loses things necessary for tasks and activities. She squirms in her seat and leaves in times where remaining seated is anticipated. She talks redundantly and blurts out solutions before the matter has been completed, which suggests she struggles awaiting her turn and successively interrupts and intrudes on others. The indication that these symptoms interfere with the stature of her social, and faculty life become clear in the fact that she receives bad grades (due to her inattentiveness) and needs more time than other students to finish a task. (DSM-5)

Usagi’s episodes include a poor sense of self-esteem, and becomes extremely more talkative to a point where she rambles on. She struggles to partake in leisure activities silently and is constantly ‘on the go’. She is easily distracted by unimportant events rather than being focused on the task at hand. This affects her social life by making it extensively hard to make friends and talk to others. She has frequent meltdowns, very energetic, forgetful, unmotivated, emotionally sensitive and clumsy because she is constantly distracted. There are many factors that play a role in Usagi’s behavior that allow us to explore how it may have developed.

Although, many aspects of Usagi’s life can contribute to her ADHD, Dr. Dribinsky notes that ‘there is no single test for diagnosing ADHD and there is no single ADHD cause,’ (Loren R. Dribinsky, MD, a psychiatrist at the Lacey Clinic in Burlington, Mass). Research suggests that the disorder incorporates a robust biology basis with evidently bolstered behavior; this offers rise to postpone hostility, development of anger in common situations, thoughtlessness, continuous defective attention, raised instability of behavior, and trouble “inhibiting” responses.

Studies have shown an affiliation amongst mothers who smoked tobacco or used alcohol during their maternity and the increase of behavior and learning difficulties in their children. A comparable link between hyperactivity and lead exposure have been discovered, especially when the lead exposure arises in the first three years. All these can be toxic to evolving brain tissue and may have unremitting effects on the behavior of the offspring exposed to these substances.

Scientists and medical professionals agree that ADHD is a medical disorder affecting numerous areas of the brain with the frontal area partaking the most damage. The control and regulation of behavior, retention, thinking, planning, and organization are in the frontal region of the brain. The average cause of ADHD is heredity.

A Lesson Before Dying takes place in a small Louisiana Cajun community in the late 1940’s. In the novel, Jefferson, a young black man, is an unwitting party to a liquor store shoot out in which three men are killed; being the only survivor, he is convicted of a murder and sentenced to death. Jefferson’s personality and physical appearance in the novel provides not only a relationship to the courtroom and his cell, but also connected to the geographical setting of the book. In the initial setting of the novel, Jefferson sits in a courtroom located in rural Louisiana, which is filled with anger , tension, isolation, and quietness from the people in the room. This setting of the book supports Jefferson’s personality in chapter 9 when Jefferson’s character is introduced. Jefferson’s cell could be considered the second setting or Jefferson’s setting in the book. Jefferson’s relationship to the courtroom (initial setting) supports Jefferson’s personality in the prison. He is isolated just like in the courtroom. “There was an empty cell between Jefferson and the rest of the prisoners”. Jefferson’s cell was not only isolated like a courtroom in rural Louisiana, but quiet. “Jefferson’s been quiet. He didn’t answer”. Due to Jefferson’s isolation and quietness, he has built anger inside. An anger which had been building up since the courtroom conviction. “Nothing don’t matter,” he said, looking up at the ceiling.”

The first setting of the novel is similar to Jefferson’s cell setting. The three settings: the courtroom, location of the town, and prison all have similarities to Jefferson’s character traits. Theme: Jefferson’s character represents race the best. The opportunity for equal representation for the African Americans in the book is shown through Jefferson. There is a constant comparison and view of blacks vs. whites in the novel. “ To show too much intelligence would have been an insult to them.” The respect of race varied in the book, but at the end Jefferson’s character prevailed. The author summons the reader to confront the entire bitter history of black people in the South and America as a whole. The theme of race ties into the novel when the characters begin to declare the value of their lives in a time and place in which those lives seemingly count for nothing. Jefferson’s relationship to the theme in the novel only occurs when Jefferson provides hope for the African American culture. “

A hero does for others. He would do anything for people he loves, because he knows it would make their lives better.” “You could give something to her, to me, to those children in the quarter”. Jefferson has something the other prisoners don’t have (knowledge) , which separates him from others. He has the strength and ability of a wiseman. Key Dialogue and Action: I feel that an epiphany was reached by Jefferson when Grant was talking to him at the prison. “He looked at me in great pain. He may not have understood, but something was touched, something deep down in him because he was still crying.” Here Jefferson shows his affection for the first time in the novel, his crying indicates life in him. The life is between Grant and Jefferson. Water represents life, and the life that Jefferson has created with Grant proves that some type of grand realization has been reached. The other key action with Jefferson was his acceptance of Emma’s gumbo. Jefferson realizes how much Emma really cares about him, even though he is going to die. His acceptance of Emma’s gumbo is the first step after his epiphany that indicates that Jefferson will represent and provide hope for the African American culture.

The most characters that depict great change are Charlotte, our protagonist, Captain Jaggier, our antagonist, and former Second mate, Ketch. Through this tumultuous voyage, Charlotte metamorphoses Into a lady of great beauty, Captain Jaggier deteriorates, and Ketch’s duplicitous nature arises. Metamorphosis and change of oneself occurs when one recognizes the first step which Is awareness, and the second which Is acceptance. From an egg to a butterfly, Charlotte Doyle truly transforms and metamorphoses Into a beautiful human being that fights for justice and equality in a time where slavery, classicism, and racism revealed.

Charlotte life changes through several choices and actions she takes. Firstly, Charlotte witnesses a horrifying panorama of Captain Jaggier thrashing and lashing her beloved friend Zachary, thus she finds out the true nature of Captain Jaggier. ” When he saw they were bloody he swore a savage oath, jumped forward, and tore the whip from my hand, whirled about and began beating Zachary with such fury as I had never seen,” (pig 70). This changes her life because she admired Captain Jaggier and saw him as a “father” figure.

Her whole impression of Captain gagger metamorphoses completely also because he chose Zachary, her beloved friend, to lash and cause extreme anguish to. She also learns to be more aware and less naive. Secondly, Charlotte unexpectedly chooses to become a member of the crew thus climbs the mainmast; this changes her life completely. “Recollecting Awning’s advice, I shifted my eyes and focused them on the ropes before me. Then, reaching as high as I could into one of the middle shrouds, and grabbing a ratline, I began to climb,” (pig 84). Charlotte became a member of the crew by climbing the mainmast.

Without Charlotte realizing, he was able to make her a spy for him. Also, he befriended Charlotte in order to prevent his death, and in order to stop the crew from signing the round robin. Secondly, Captain Jaggier chooses to whip Zachary and this causes him deterioration where his life changed drastically. ” When he saw they were bloody he swore a savage oath, Jumped forward, and tore the whip from my hand, whirled about and began beating Zachary with such fury as I had never seen,” (pig 70). When the beast emerged, Captain Jaggier deteriorated in Charlotte eyes, she belittled him, and her impression of him changed entirely.

This also caused Charlotte to whip him, and this embarrassed him in front of the crew thus he deteriorated and weakened. He lost Charlotte, and hatred of the captain rose even higher amongst the crew. Thirdly, he chose to beat up Cranky to the point his arm had to be cut off, and this brings the crew against him. “Captain Jaggier said Mr.. Cranks laboring arm was his by rights. Miss Doyle, Mr.. Cranky has but one arm now. He was that much beaten by Captain Jaggier, who, as he said himself, took the arm. I was first surgeon, then carpenter to Mr.. Cranky,” (pig 28).

This changed his life because this is what made the crew sign the round robin and come against him. Captain Jaggier experienced severe deterioration and loss of power when all the crew came against him. This was the obviously the first step of his deterioration. Captain Jaggier deteriorates and warps through the tumultuous voyage. His loss of power and authority cause him to become insane and full of wrath. His anger and extreme wrath causes him death when faced against Charlotte in a life or death situation. This comes to show that a person that is unjust and cruel will always be defeated, and will always come to an end. Our enemy is motivated by hatred and will not stop planning more plots against until they are ultimately defeated,” Timothy Murphy. “We are only falsehood, duplicity, contradiction; we both conceal and disguise ourselves from ourselves,” Blaine Pascal. Ketch, a member of the crew, was once portrayed as a fearful man with darted eyes, and turns out to be a man of great treachery, mischief, and trickery. His duplicitous nature arises as his choices and actions change his life. Firstly, Ketch decides to sign the round robin, and this causes change in his life. “As for Mr..

Ketch, since he seems to prefer serving you ratter tan me… ‘ place ml In ten Directorates winner Nee wall De more comforts position of second mate, thus vacated, I give to Mr.. Johnson. He at least had the dogs wit not to sign your round robin,” (pig 76-77). Ketch signed the round robin and this changed his life because he lost his position as second mate; he lost the loyalty of the captain. Secondly, Ketch hides Zachary in the brig and this changes his life. “Ketch brings me food and water every day,” he continued. The food isn’t as good as what I would have prepared, but enough to keep me alive.

After all of the confusion and corruption occurred, there is a new king for Thebes and that is Creon. In the Greek play, Antigone written by Sophocles shows that Creon was a man of great complexity. He values friendship but Creon feels that friendship would not keep his city standing, therefore “no one values friendship more highly than he but they must remember that friends made at the risk of wrecking theirs. Ships are not real friends at all. ”  Creon is a strong person and he believes in the reality of society and how there needs to be laws and regulations in order to conduct correctly.

For example, he set the laws and he has to abide by the law so he has to punish Antigone. Creon does not believe that love is a force strong enough to fix problems but it is one of the causes of the problems, “go join them, then; if you /must have your love,/ Find it in hell! ” He doesn’t have passion for the lawbreakers because that only leads to corruption but Creon has respect for the true warriors, “But whoever shows by word and deed that he is on the side of the State– he shall have my respect while he is living, and my reverence when he is dead,” (instead of those who rebel against their own city. One example would be Eteocles and Polyneices, according to Creon, only Eteocles dies as a true warrior because he sided with his own city while his own brother, Polyneices, chose to rebel. Creon does not want to acknowledge Polyneices and so Polyneices is left to die a shameful death.

Finally, Creon seems to be the type of man who holds grudges or even stubborn. He does not allow people to make amends once the mistake has been made. Creon is persistent that he is doing the right thing and “an enemy is an enemy, even dead. ”  Creon is a character with many traits, like his , and his respect to the warriors defending his city. Other traits may not be the best but they make Creon who he is, he does not believe in using love as an excuse to rebel, and he is stubborn because he thinks that once an enemy, always an enemy. There are many different traits of Creon that make them easier to distinguish from others.

Fell in love with luxury/grace/charm, lied about his past to woo her First speaking role in chapter 3 Initially aloof, enigmatic host, surrounded by luxury, powerful and beautiful people Subject of gossip Chi- learn of his childhood Chi- proof of criminality Later on- lovesick, naive, innocent, hopeful, centered on dreams Delayed revelations- ’emphasis the theatrical quality of Gatsby approach to life’ Transformed self into a persona ‘Ability to transform hope and dreams into reality’ Title = reminiscent of The Great Houdini/adolescent’ etc. Suggesting Jay IS only an illusion Dream of Daisy falls apart (Wall Street Crash) Contrasts Nick & Tom Passionate, active Loyal and good hearted Loses love interest to Tom, like George Wilson. Temporarily lost touch with father MASC. political commentator Chris Matthews sees him as the eternal American striver: “Gatsby needed more than money: he needed to be someone who had always had this blind faith that he can retrofit his very existence to Daisy’s specifications is the heart and soul of The Great Gatsby. It’s the classic story of the fresh start, the second chance. ‘appears to be the quintessential American male hero… Powerful businessman with shady connections, drives a glamorous car'(- Michael Kismet and Amy Aaron’s) Often used as a symbol for wealth Believes American dream New man = born when he met Dan Cody Restless- like America, resourceful and active Never cynical or corrupt Cannot see daisy fault (using him for a release from her boring life & retaliation from husband) Pretends he, not Daisy, killed Myrtle Killed by George Wilson “Jimmy was bound to get ahead.

He always had some resolves like this or something. Do you notice what he’s got about improving his mind? He was always great for that. He told me I et like a hog once, and beat him for it” “Somebody told me they thought he killed a man once. ” “it’s more that he was a German spy during the war. He was never quite still; there was always a tapping foot somewhere or the impatient opening and closing of a hand. Consumed with wonder at her presence’ (Daisy) Nick Caraway Sober, reflective Narrator Slowly moves to forefront From upper Midwest, family in America a little over 70 years Sent substitute to war (therefore of a wealthier class) Acts similarly to an ‘Everyman’ Is not blinded by glitz and glamour Disgusted by realization of shallowness, hollowness, uncaring and self-serving attitude of his superiors.

Distances self instead of catering to them More racial and down-to-earth than Buchannan and Jordan Baker (and so distances himself) Has personal integrity Affected by Gatsby death grows, from a man dreaming of a fortune, to a man who knows only too well what misery a fortune can bring romantic relationship with Jordan Baker calls himself “one Of the few honest people that have ever known Daisy Fay/Buchanan Enigmatic Tom’s wife, Gatsby love interest, Nick’s second cousin one removed, mother of Pam Beautiful, charming Selfish, shallow, hurtful See the world for what it is, cruel (why she’s happy her child is a daughter so he can be a ‘beautiful little fool’ Character built on light, purity and Innocence Otherworldly- angelic White- purity or void? Name- pure, centered around gold (wealth, status and money) Finds nouveau riches to be tedious and vulgar Materialistic “Thinking about Gatsby stretching his arms out to the green light across the water, we can’t help thinking of the Sirens: the mythical island dwellers whose singing was so seductive that sailors would throw themselves into the sea and drown trying to reach them. ” Capacity for love and wants to be loved Idealized image of relationship with Gatsby

Fickle Tom makes decisions for her undecided Us Percival ‘her voice is full of money’ low, thrilling voice High in a white palace the king’s daughter, the golden girl. Human orchid of a woman Tom Buchanan Cold-hearted, aristocratic bully Daisy’s husband Staggeringly rich, for centuries Relatively young Arrogant Questionable love for Daisy Racist (more accepted then) Confident dads George to believe Gatsby is at fault It was a body capable of enormous leverage-?a cruel body. Brute of a man, a great, big, hulking physical specimen “Go on. He won’t annoy you. I think he realizes that his presumptuous little flirtation is over. George Wilson Myrtle’s husband Suicide Kills Gatsby Owner of run-down auto shop by the Valley of Ashes Respectable?