Gatsby character synopsis

The film is an adaptation of F. Scott Fitzgerald’s Long Island-set novel, where Midwesterner Nick Carraway is lured into the lavish world of his neighbor, Jay Gatsby. Eventually, Carraway sees through the cracks of Gatsby’s nouveau riche existence, where obsession, madness and tragedy await.

Leonardo DiCaprio – Jay Gatsby

Gatsby is a young man who rose from an impoverished childhood in rural North Dakota to become fabulously wealthy. Though Gatsby has always wanted to be rich, his main motivation in acquiring his fortune was his love for Daisy Buchanan. Gatsby dedicated himself to winning Daisy, his acquisition of millions of dollars and his purchase of a gaudy mansion on West Egg. His lavish weekly parties are all merely means to that end.

Tobey Maguire – Nick Carraway

As a quiet, reflective Midwesterner adrift in the lurid East, Carraway travels to New York in 1922 to learn the bond business. He lives in the West Egg district of Long Island, next door to Gatsby. Nick is also Daisy’s cousin, which enables him to observe and assist the resurgent love affair between Daisy and Gatsby.

Carey Mulligan – Daisy Buchanan

Partially based on Fitzgerald’s wife, Zelda, Daisy is a beautiful young woman from Louisville, Kentucky. Gatsby lied about his background to Daisy, claiming to be from a wealthy family in order to convince her that he was worthy of her. Daisy promised to wait for Gatsby, but in 1919 she chose instead to marry Tom Buchanan, a young man from a solid, aristocratic family who could promise her a wealthy lifestyle and who had the support of her parents.

Elizabeth Debicki – Jordan Baker

Debicki is Daisy Buchanan’s long-time friend with “autumn-leaf yellow hair,” a firm athletic body, and an aloof attitude. She is Nick Carraway’s girlfriend for most of the novel and a professional golfer with a slightly shady reputation and a penchant for untruthfulness.

Joel Edgerton – Tom Buchanan

As a millionaire who lives on East Egg, and is Daisy’s husband, Tom is an imposing former football star of muscular build with a “husky tenor” voice and arrogant demeanor.

Isla Fisher – Myrtle Wilson

Fisher is Tom Buchanan’s mistress meets an undesirable end that Gatsby takes the blame for.

Jason Clarke – George B. Wilson

Wilson is a mechanic who is described as being “so dumb he doesn’t know he’s alive.” As the unlikely catalyst to the climax of the novel, Wilson plays a key role in the story.

From imdb.com, sparknotes.com, booksummariesbychapter.com