Kelso High School
English Department
The Great Gatsby
by F. Scott Fitzgerald
Chapter Six
Characterisation
Gatsby, Daisy,
Tom
Theme
American Upper
Classes
American Dream
Structure
Symbolism
Why is the Chapter Important?
Chapter begins with an inquisitive reporter
turning up on Gatsby’s doorstep on the basis of
rumours. This suggests that there is more to
Gatsby than we think.
 Gatsby’s past is revealed.
 Chapter raises the issue of why Gatsby really
wants Daisy – his poor upbringing spurred him
on to achieve the American Dream and Daisy
represents the class and wealth that he aspires
to.

Characterisation - Gatsby
Characterisation - Gatsby

Chapter 6 is important in revealing detail
about Gatsby’s character.
Characterisation - Gatsby
Gatsby has created his own identity:
 Jay Gatsby is a creation of James Gatz, a
seventeen year old farm boy from North
Dakota.
 James Gatz invented a persona that a
seventeen year old boy would dream of
being, but it is an illusion.

Characterisation - Gatsby
Dan Cody is a father figure to Gatsby.
 Gatsby virtually disowned his mother and
father because “his imagination had never
really accepted them as his parents at all”.
 Until the age of seventeen, Gatsby was
just James Gatz- Cody taught him how to
be Jay Gatsby.
 Gatz always dreamed of something bigger
and Cody proved it was possible.

Characterisation - Gatsby
Gatsby also learned from Cody:
 Cody had a drink problem, but Gatsby
‘formed the habit of letting liquor alone’.
 Cody’s behaviour was debauched –
‘savage violence of the frontier brothel
and saloon’. Gatsby throws debauched
parties, but isolates himself from his
guests.

Characterisation - Gatsby
“It was James Gatz who had been loafing
along the beach that afternoon …but it
was already Jay Gatsby who borrowed a
row boat…”
 It is as if Gatsby is rechristening himself
 Symbolises his desire to forget his lower
class identity and recast himself as the
wealthy man he envisions.

Discussion: Is this why he finds Daisy so
attractive?
 For her, wealth and luxury comes
effortlessly
 She is the reason he invented Jay Gatsby.
 Links to STRUCTURE and SYMBOLISM
 “His parents were shiftless and
unsuccessful farm people”
 Stark contrast to his later extravagant
lifestyle.

Characterisation - Gatsby
DISCUSSION – What does Gatsby’s
transformation tell us about the type of
person he is?
 What do we admire about him?

Characterisation - Gatsby
We discover that Gatsby never received
the money from Cody.
 It is Gatsby’s power to make his dreams
real that makes him ‘great’.

“Can’t repeat the past?” he cried
incredulously. “Why of course you can!”
 This illustrates his capacity to delude
himself
 Also illustrates his boundless capacity for
hope
 DISCUSSION: Does the quote influence
our feelings towards Gatsby?

Characterisation - Daisy
CHARACTERISATION - DAISY
“But the rest offended her...was appalled
by West Egg,”
 She is appalled by the vulgar behaviour of
the drunken guests.
 Does her reaction come as a surprise to
the reader?

Characterisation - Gatsby
The main problem with Gatsby’s
conception of Daisy is that it is a dream.
 He still thinks she is the girl who loved him
in Louisville
 But she would never desert her own class
and background to be with Gatsby.

CHARACTERISATION - TOM
“I may be old-fashioned in my ideas but
women run around too much these days
to suit me.”
 The reader sees how hypocritical Tom is
being here considering his own behaviour
 DISCUSSION: In your opinion would Tom
ever believe that Daisy would have an
affair?

STRUCTURE
“Tom was evidently perturbed at Daisy’s
running around alone”
 Tom’s concern is used to move the
narrative along
 This exposes the suspicions of Tom that
will eventually lead to confrontation

Symbolism
The name ‘The Great Gatsby’ makes his
almost seem like a magician.
 His reinvention is almost magical.

SYMBOLISM
“Lake Superior”
 This is a realistic geographical detail but
symbolic in a sense.
 Gatz must recreate himself as Gatsby in
order to become superior and it is at this
location that he does that.

THEME – Shallowness of the
American Upper Classes
“Mr Sloane didn’t enter into the
conversation, but lounged back haughtily
in his chair...”
 They treat Gatsby with contempt
 He has the money but lacks their superior
social qualities (in their minds)
 Even among the very rich there are class
distinctions

Theme – Shallowness of the
American Upper Classes
Gatsby’s behaviour is contrasted with
those of the East Egg residents.
 Gatsby is courteous and offers the riders
refreshments. They accept without
gratitude and leave without him.
 Gatsby thinks ‘they cared’, he doesn’t
realise that he wasn’t supposed to accept
their invitation.

Theme – Shallowness of the Upper
Classes

DISCUSSION: Think about Gatsby’s
treatment and actions towards his guests
(the Sloanes). What do they reveal about
his character?
Theme – Shallowness of the Upper
Classes
Gatsby’s naivety of class prejudice is also
seen in his vain belief that Daisy will
abandon her status and position to be
with him.
 For all his wealth, he will remain working
class and will never be good enough for
Daisy.

THEME – American Dream
“Can’t repeat the past?” he cried
incredulously. “Why of course you can!”
 Gatsby’s future is an attempt at restoring
a golden moment from his past rather
than something new.
 Historically, early American settlers felt
that the New World offered them the
opportunity to return to the Garden of
Eden

THEME – American Dream
Gatsby’s pursuit of the American Dream
became a pursuit of wealth- his dreams of
being a great man were corrupted.
 When he met Daisy his dream of wealth
and status was replaced by a dream of
being with her. For the older Gatsby, she
represents the American Dream and
everything that he hopes to achieve.

Theme: Failure of American Dream
The concept of an ideal future is often a
form of nostalgia for a Golden Age.
 An age that supposedly existed in the
distant past.
 DISCUSSION: Can Gatsby’s dream ever
come true?

Theme: Failure of American Dream
Daisy can’t live up to Gatsby’s dream.
 Gatsby has idealised Daisy and does not
realise she is unworthy of his dreams.
 Daisy wants and is used to a life of
privilege. She seems more interested in
Gatsby’s possessions, than in Gastby
himself, ‘It makes me sad because I’ve
never seen… such beautiful shirts before’.

Well-done!!!!