Gatsby Characters, Archetypes, and Symbols

A place where the less fortunate live that represents dead dreams

• The green light
• Valley of ashes
• Gatsby's parties
• East Egg vs. West Egg

The dream of something you are trying to get

• The green light
• Gatsby's books
• Gatsby's parties
• The Eyes of Dr. T. J. Eckleburg

There are no secrets.

• The Eyes of Dr. T. J. Eckleburg
• Valley of Ashes
• The Green Light
• Gatsby's books

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Gatsby's Medal of Valor represents

• Proof that Gatsby is real.
• A lie that Gatsby wants people to believe.
• Gatsby's dream of marrying Daisy.
• Gatsby's desperation of losing Daisy.

A representation of the carelessness and extravagance of the American people in the 1920s

• Gatsby's parties
• The Eyes of Dr. T. J. Eckleburg
• Valley of Ashes
• The Green Light

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Proof that Gatsby is not everything he says he is.

• Gatsby's books
• Meyer Wolfsheim's cufflinks
• The Green Light
• Valley of Ashes

The Quest Archetype

• Gatsby's goal of becoming rich to get the woman of his dreams.
• Nick's goal of running away from the wealthy.
• Daisy's goal of forgetting Gatsby.
• Tom's goal of having everything.

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The Independent Woman Archetype.

• Jordan Baker
• Daisy Buchanan
• Myrtle Wilson
• Lady Gaga

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Death and Rebirth Archetype

• James Gatz changes to Jay Gatsby
• Tom Buchanan the husband to Tom the philanderer
• Nick changes from admiring Gatsby to admiring Tom
• Wolfsheim going from respectable to dangerous

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Star-Crossed Lovers Archetype

• Gatsby and Daisy
• Nick and Gatsby
• Nick and Jordan
• Tom and Myrtle

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