The Great Gatsby
By F. Scott Fitzgerald
A
CHARACTER IS A PERSON OR ANIMAL IN THE
STORY.
 The
process by which the writer reveals the
personality of a character
 Two types


direct characterization: tells audience what the
personality of a character is
indirect characterization: shows things that
reveal the personality of a character

“STEAL” method
•
S=Speech: What does the character say? How does the character
speak?
“He went to Oxford College in England. You know Oxford
College?” (76).
T=Thoughts: What is revealed through the character’s private
thoughts and feelings?
“Suddenly I wasn’t thinking of Daisy and Gatsby any more
but of this hard, limited person who dealt in universal skepticism
and who leaned back jauntily just within the circle of my arm.” (84)
•
E=Effect on others toward the character: What is revealed
through the character’s effect on other people? How do other
characters feel or behave in reaction to the character?
“’You’re acting like a little boy…not only that, but you’re rude.
Daisy’s sitting in there all alone.”’(93) – Daisy’s effect on Gatsby
•
A=Actions: What does the character do? How
does the character behave?
“I want to see you…get on the next train,”
(30).
•
L=Looks: What does the character look like?
How does the character dress?
“Two shining, arrogant eyes had established
dominance over his face…”(11).
•
 The
method of
character
development in
which the author
simply tells you
what the character
is like. For
example, “Miss Alice
was the nicest
person you would
ever want to meet,”
is direct
characterization

The method of
characterization that is
most similar to the way
we learn about people
in real life. Using
indirect
characterization, the
author presents the
character’s personality
through what he/she
says, his/her actions, or
how other characters
relate to him/her. You
must then draw your
own conclusions about
the character.
Read the following example of
characterization. Decide whether it is an
example of direct or indirect
characterization.
(A) James was one of those people who
was constantly angry. He looked for
trouble wherever he went, and he usually
found it.
Which method is more effective in developing
the character? Why do you think so?
 Direct characterization or Indirect
characterization

Jay Gatsby
Daisy Buchanan
Tom Buchanan
Nick
Jordan Baker