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The Great Gatsby Chapter 1: Characterization

Directions:

Navigate through The Great Gatsby Chapter 1 and take notes on the following characters from Chapter 1: Nick
Carraway, Tom Buchanan, Daisy Buchanan, and Jordan Baker.
For each character, use the chart below to:
Identify at least one piece of textual evidence for direct characterization (with an in-text citation
if possible).
Identify at least one piece of textual evidence for indirect characterization (with an in-text
citation if possible) – what the character says, does, or how another character responds to them.
Explain what the textual evidence for indirect characterization reveals about the character (no
need to do this for direct characterization evidence as that should be self-explanatory). You do
NOT need to explain WHY it’s indirect characterization; rather, explain what we LEARN about the
character through it.
Write a one-sentence summary of the character so far, based on the evidence you have
gathered.

Character: Nick Carraway

Image source: The Great Gatsby Wiki

Direct characterization ”I lived in West Egg, the-well, the less fashionable of the two, though this is a superficial
evidence (quote + citation tag to express the bizarre and not a little sinister contrast between them.” (Pg. 5)
if possible):
talking about his house and him not having a lot of money

Indirect characterization ”I’m p-paralyzed with What this evidence reveals The way that Daisy reacted
evidence (quote + citation happiness.” She laughed ABOUT the character: to seeing Nick after such a
if possible) again, as if she said long time filled her with so
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something very witty,and much joy.
held my hand for a
moment, looking up into
my face, promising that
there was no one in the
world she so much wanted
to see.” (Pg. 9)

One-sentence summary of Nick seems to be a very chilled back and observant person.
the character (based on
the above evidence) in
your own words:

Character: Tom Buchanan

Image source: The Great Gatsby Wiki

Direct characterization ”For instance, he’d brought down a string of polo ponies from Lake Forest. It was hard to
evidence (quote + citation realize that a man in my own generation was wealthy enough to do that”. (Pg. 6)
if possible):

Indirect characterization ”I’ve got a nice place here,” What this evidence reveals Tom is very proud of what
evidence #1 (quote + he said, his eyes flashing ABOUT the character: he has done and tends to
citation if possible) about restlessly. (Pg. 7) share about his
accomplishments.

One-sentence summary of Since Tom has got this money it's kind of getting to his head a bit and he’s also a bit of a
the character (based on snob.
the above evidence) in
your own words:
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it’s

Direct characterization ”Daisy took her face into her hands as if feeling its lovely shape, and her eyes moved
evidence (quote + citation gradually out into the velvet dusk.” (Pg. 16)
if possible):

Indirect characterization ”You did it, Tom,” she said
evidence (quote + citation accusingly. “I know you
if possible) didn’t mean to, but you did
do it. That’s what I get for
marrying a brute of a man,
a great, big, hulking
physical specimen of a—“.
(Pg. 12)
What this evidence reveals
ABOUT the character:
Daisy is very strong-willed
and will say what she needs
to when it comes to Tom
and kind of put him in his
place.

One-sentence summary of Daisy is a very charming and she likes to speak her mind to get her point across.
the character (based on
the above evidence) in
your own words:

physical

Direct characterization ”The younger of the two was stranger to me. She was extended full length at her end of
evidence (quote + citation the divan, completely motionless, and with her chin raised a little, as if she were
if possible): balancing something on it which was quite likely to fall.” (Pg. 8)

Indirect characterization ”But I fought if even Miss What this evidence reveals Mrs. Baker seems to be
evidence (quote + citation Baker, who seemed to have ABOUT the character: very serious and likes to
if possible) mastered a certain hardy take things seriously when
skepticism, was able utterly it comes to conversations.
to put this fifth guest’s shrill
metallic urgency to mind.”
(Pg. 16)

One-sentence summary of Mrs. Baker also comes from wealth and is friends with Daisy and she is a very put
the character (based on together person and is strict.
the above evidence) in
your own words: