Great Gatsby Reading Blog #1 (ch.1-3)

After reading the first three chapters of the book, it is fairly clear that the main characters are Nick, Tom, Myrtle, Daisy, and Gatsby. These central characters can be roughly divided into three categories: villain (Tom and Myrtle), antihero (Daisy), and hero (Nick). As you may have noticed, Gatsby is not included in any of the categories because it is my belief that his character is not yet well developed, so it would be more advantageous to wait and see Gatsby's true nature.
As a result of Fitzgerald's plot line, it is apparent that  Nick is a good person, someone who stands out among the corruption and greed that surrounds him. He is the sole character that understands the individuals around him and all that represent: greed and power. In addition, Daisy remarks," I love to see you at my table, Nick"(14), which would imply that he is a kind person.
Tom, Nick's "friend" and Daisy's husband, is an abusive and cruel individual. From his racist remarks to his abuse of "friends,"Tom can be classified as a villain because of his treatment of others. His girlfriend, Myrtle, can also be placed in this category because of her obnoxious and ostentatious attitude that she exhibits when she is with Nick. Their selfish behavior does not only occur around others, but between each other as well. During the lavish party in New York City, Nick notes their horrible treatment of the other, "Making a short,deft movement, Tom Buchanan broke her nose with his open hand"(37).
Though Daisy's role is minor so far, her character will grow to be an antihero because of her forced values as a result of her husband, Tom's, treatment. The quote, "I hope she’ll be a fool—that’s the best thing a girl can be in this world, a beautiful little fool"(17)," really defines Daisy's character because she remarks that women are so suppressed by men like Tom that she wants nothing more for her daughter, which in different sense defines her values as well as her husband's. Daisy's aspirations for more wealth and power make her an antihero because her values do not represent the good of all, though she is a naturally good person.