20-minute plan
- List all side characters named or referenced in Chapter 6
- For each, jot one specific action or line that ties to Gatsby’s identity
- Link each character to one novel theme (e.g., wealth, illusion and. reality)
Keyword Guide · character-analysis
Side Characters in The Great Gatsby Chapter 6: Roles & Study Guide
Chapter 6 of The Great Gatsby shifts focus from Jay Gatsby’s public persona to his hidden past. Side characters here reveal gaps between Gatsby’s myth and his real identity. This guide organizes their roles for class discussion, quizzes, and essay writing.
The side characters in The Great Gatsby Chapter 6 include Dan Cody, a wealthy gold miner; Myrtle Wilson’s husband George; and a small group of party guests who question Gatsby’s background. Each character serves to either confirm or undermine Gatsby’s carefully crafted image of success. List each character and their key scene action to start your analysis.
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Answer Block
Side characters in Chapter 6 are figures who do not drive the core plot but shape reader understanding of Gatsby’s identity and the novel’s critiques of wealth. Dan Cody connects to Gatsby’s early pursuit of fortune. George Wilson highlights the divide between old and new money. Party guests expose the superficiality of Gatsby’s social circle.
Next step: Write one sentence for each side character linking their action in Chapter 6 to a core theme of the novel.
Key Takeaways
- Dan Cody’s presence reveals Gatsby’s long-held obsession with wealth and status
- George Wilson’s quiet despair contrasts with the excess of Gatsby’s parties
- Party guests’ gossip undermines the legitimacy of Gatsby’s self-made image
- Each side character serves a thematic purpose, not just a plot function
20-Minute Plan and 60-Minute Plan
60-minute plan
- Re-read Chapter 6, marking every interaction involving a side character
- Create a 2-column chart pairing each side character with their thematic role
- Draft a 3-sentence thesis comparing two side characters’ impact on Gatsby’s arc
- Write one body paragraph supporting the thesis with concrete scene details
3-Step Study Plan
Action: Go through Chapter 6 and circle every character who is not Gatsby, Nick, Daisy, or Tom
Output: A bulleted list of side characters with one key detail about their scene presence
Action: For each side character, ask: How does this person change or confirm my view of Gatsby?
Output: A 1-sentence analysis for each character linking them to a novel theme
Action: Verify that each analysis is tied to a specific action, not an assumption
Output: A revised list of analyses with clear, non-invented scene references
Discussion Kit
- Which side character in Chapter 6 provides the most critical insight into Gatsby’s past?
- How does George Wilson’s presence in Chapter 6 highlight the novel’s critique of wealth inequality?
- Why do the party guests’ rumors about Gatsby matter more than the truth of his background?
- How would Chapter 6’s impact change if Dan Cody was not referenced?
- Which side character’s actions most closely mirror Gatsby’s own desires?
- How do the side characters in Chapter 6 reveal the difference between old money and new money?
- What does the treatment of side characters in this chapter tell us about Nick’s narration style?
- How could a side character from Chapter 6 be used as the focus of an essay on illusion and. reality?
Essay Kit
Thesis Templates
- In Chapter 6 of The Great Gatsby, Dan Cody and the party guests together expose the fragility of Gatsby’s self-created identity by contrasting his humble origins with his performative wealth.
- George Wilson’s brief appearance in Chapter 6 of The Great Gatsby reinforces the novel’s core theme of moral decay by highlighting the invisible human cost of old money excess.
Outline Skeletons
- I. Intro: Thesis linking two side characters to a core theme; II. Body 1: Analyze first character’s scene action and thematic role; III. Body 2: Analyze second character’s scene action and thematic role; IV. Conclusion: Explain how their combined impact shapes Gatsby’s arc
- I. Intro: Thesis arguing one side character’s overlooked thematic importance; II. Body 1: Detail the character’s scene presence; III. Body 2: Connect their actions to a larger novel critique; IV. Conclusion: Explain how ignoring this character weakens understanding of the novel’s message
Sentence Starters
- Dan Cody’s influence on Gatsby, revealed in Chapter 6, shows that
- The party guests’ gossip about Gatsby in Chapter 6 exposes the fact that
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Exam Kit
Checklist
- Can name all side characters featured in Chapter 6
- Can link each side character to a specific action in Chapter 6
- Can connect each side character to at least one core novel theme
- Can explain how Dan Cody’s presence shapes Gatsby’s backstory
- Can describe how party guests undermine Gatsby’s public image
- Can contrast George Wilson’s circumstances with Gatsby’s wealth
- Can avoid inventing quotes or details about side characters
- Can use side characters as evidence for thematic arguments
- Can distinguish between side characters and main characters in Chapter 6
- Can answer short-answer exam questions about side characters in 2-3 sentences
Common Mistakes
- Confusing side characters with main characters (e.g., counting Daisy as a side character in Chapter 6)
- Inventing details about side characters’ backstories or dialogue
- Failing to link side characters to the novel’s larger themes
- Ignoring Dan Cody’s role in shaping Gatsby’s view of wealth
- Treating party guests as a single group alongside analyzing their collective impact
Self-Test
- Name two side characters in Chapter 6 and explain their thematic role
- How does Dan Cody’s presence change reader understanding of Gatsby?
- What do the party guests’ rumors reveal about the novel’s critique of society?
How-To Block
Action: Re-read Chapter 6 and mark every character who is not Gatsby, Nick, Daisy, or Tom
Output: A bulleted list of side characters with one specific scene detail for each
Action: For each character, ask: What does this character teach us about Gatsby or the novel’s themes?
Output: A 1-sentence analysis for each character linking them to a core theme
Action: Turn your analyses into flashcards, with character names on one side and thematic roles on the other
Output: A set of flashcards to use for quiz or exam review
Rubric Block
Character Identification
Teacher looks for: Accurate, complete list of side characters from Chapter 6, with no main characters included
How to meet it: Cross-reference your list with Chapter 6, and confirm each character has a minor or supporting role in the chapter’s action
Thematic Analysis
Teacher looks for: Clear links between each side character’s action and a core novel theme, with no invented details
How to meet it: Tie every analysis to a specific, observable action from the chapter, not an assumption
Evidence Use
Teacher looks for: Concrete, non-invented references to Chapter 6 to support all claims about side characters
How to meet it: Avoid direct quotes; instead, describe character actions or interactions from the chapter
Dan Cody’s Role in Gatsby’s Origin Story
Dan Cody is the figure who first introduced Gatsby to the world of extreme wealth. His presence in Chapter 6 contextualizes Gatsby’s later obsession with status. Use this before class to lead a discussion about how early influences shape Gatsby’s choices. Write one sentence comparing Cody’s wealth to the wealth of East Egg residents.
George Wilson’s Quiet Contrast to Gatsby’s Excess
George Wilson’s brief appearance in Chapter 6 highlights the sharp divide between the wealthy and the working class. His circumstances emphasize the novel’s critique of unregulated capitalism. Use this before essay drafts to build a body paragraph on wealth inequality. Note three specific details that distinguish Wilson’s life from Gatsby’s.
Party Guests: The Voice of Social Judgment
The party guests’ gossip about Gatsby exposes the superficiality of his social circle. Their rumors reveal that status in this world depends on perception, not truth. Use this before quiz review to practice linking minor characters to major themes. Create a 2-column chart pairing guest gossip with its thematic meaning.
Connecting Side Characters to Main Theme
Every side character in Chapter 6 ties back to the novel’s core question: Can money buy happiness or identity? Their actions and dialogue reveal the emptiness of Gatsby’s pursuit. Use this before exam prep to test your ability to synthesize thematic arguments. Write a 3-sentence paragraph explaining how all three side character groups reinforce this theme.
Avoiding Common Study Mistakes
The most common mistake is treating side characters as irrelevant to the main plot. Another error is inventing details to fill gaps in their backstories. Always ground your analysis in observable actions from the chapter. Cross-check every claim against your re-read of Chapter 6 to ensure accuracy.
Using Side Characters in Essay Writing
Side characters make strong evidence for thematic essays because they offer a neutral lens into the novel’s critiques. Focus on one or two side characters to avoid spreading your analysis too thin. Use this before essay drafting to refine your thesis statement. Revise your thesis to center one side character’s thematic role.
Who are the side characters in Chapter 6 of The Great Gatsby?
The side characters in Chapter 6 include Dan Cody, George Wilson, and the group of party guests who gossip about Gatsby’s background. Each serves a specific thematic purpose related to wealth and identity.
What is Dan Cody’s role in The Great Gatsby Chapter 6?
Dan Cody is a wealthy gold miner who introduced the young Gatsby to the lifestyle of extreme wealth. His presence contextualizes Gatsby’s later obsession with status and fortune.
Why is George Wilson in Chapter 6 of The Great Gatsby?
George Wilson’s brief appearance in Chapter 6 highlights the stark divide between working-class struggle and the excess of old and new money. His despair contrasts sharply with Gatsby’s lavish parties.
How do the party guests in Chapter 6 of The Great Gatsby matter?
The party guests’ gossip about Gatsby undermines the legitimacy of his self-created image. Their rumors reveal that social status in the novel’s world depends on perception, not truth.
Editorial note: This page is independently written for educational support. Verify specifics with assigned class materials and the original text.
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