Henry C. Gatz:
Physical Description:
Character Description:
Gatsby’s father is an old, poor man. He thinks very highly of his son, very proud of everything that he accomplished in such a short time. When he walks through Gatsby’s home he takes in all of his possessions and beauty of the home, and explains that he’s not even mad at his son for leaving the family to pursue a bigger dream. Mr. Gatz shows Nick his son’s book, and says, “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.” Mr. Gatz seems to be an honest man, but also naïve, he has no idea how his son made this money, always just thinking the best of him.
Jay Gatsby:
By the end of the novel we learn who Jay Gatsby truly was. We learn that he did not make his money in honest businesses, and often lives in the past. Unfortunately, it takes his death for the reader and the other characters in the book to realize the kind of man that Gatsby was and the kind of people he associated himself with, most of who didn’t even bother to come to his funeral. Gatsby made a living working with criminals, and didn’t care what it took to become wealthy and appear high class, to win over Daisy. Gatsby had parties every weekend with hundreds of guests from all over the city, but when his funeral came around and no one showed up, Nick became angry and “began to have a feeling of defiance, of scornful solidarity between Gatsby and [him] against them all”.
Physical Description:
- Appears helpless
- Wears cheap clothing
- Grey Beard
Character Description:
Gatsby’s father is an old, poor man. He thinks very highly of his son, very proud of everything that he accomplished in such a short time. When he walks through Gatsby’s home he takes in all of his possessions and beauty of the home, and explains that he’s not even mad at his son for leaving the family to pursue a bigger dream. Mr. Gatz shows Nick his son’s book, and says, “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.” Mr. Gatz seems to be an honest man, but also naïve, he has no idea how his son made this money, always just thinking the best of him.
Jay Gatsby:
By the end of the novel we learn who Jay Gatsby truly was. We learn that he did not make his money in honest businesses, and often lives in the past. Unfortunately, it takes his death for the reader and the other characters in the book to realize the kind of man that Gatsby was and the kind of people he associated himself with, most of who didn’t even bother to come to his funeral. Gatsby made a living working with criminals, and didn’t care what it took to become wealthy and appear high class, to win over Daisy. Gatsby had parties every weekend with hundreds of guests from all over the city, but when his funeral came around and no one showed up, Nick became angry and “began to have a feeling of defiance, of scornful solidarity between Gatsby and [him] against them all”.