Jay Gatsby
- Charming, gracious, and mysterious
- Lives in West Egg next to Nick Carraway
- Served for the U.S Army in the Great War
- Throws large parties, elaborate parties
"I didn't want you to think I was just some nobody." (Fitzgerald.67)
This quote suggests irony since, people all throughout New York, in all walks of life seem to know who Gatsby is. Although he is well known there is no historical weight or family meaning attached to the name Gatsby, he is aware of the fact that no one knows definitively where his money comes from and presents himself in a way to contrast this. Gatsbys' efforts are all in attempt to encourage his wish to be "old money" since he is aware of the positive connotations attached to this, within his society.
"But I knew I had discovered a man of fine breeding after I talked with him an hour." (Fitzgerald.72)
This is said by Myer Wolfshiem, speaking on behalf of Gatsby's good character. This quote is also ironic since Wolfshiem is a poor judge of good character as he is a gambler making his living off cheating others, with developed allusions to Al Capone. This taints the image of Gatsby we have previously been presented with suggesting his involvement in immoral dealings.