Elaine+Seungwoo+Jay+-+Jordan+Baker

=Presentation=

=Character Analysis: Jordan Baker=

1. Physical description

Jordan Baker is a golf player who appears to be a slim girl, carrying herself with a straight posture. The detailed description of her physique is below in the block quote. “I enjoyed looking at her. She was a slender, small-breasted girl, with an erect carriage which she accentuated by throwing her body backward at the shoulders like a young cadet. Her grey sun-strained eyes looked back at me with polite reciprocal curiosity out of a wan, charming discontented face” (11). She seems like a very aristocratic, well-dressed lady who is beautiful enough for Nick to enjoy watching.

2. Character's personality (with at least three specific quotes)

A. DECEITFUL When we were on a house-party together up in Warwick, she left a borrowed car out in the rain with the top down, and then lied about it--and suddenly I remembered the story about her that had eluded me that night at Daisy's. (57) Jordan is a cheater who is willing to do anything that she wants to gain. For example, she cheated during the golf tournament to win and she consistently lies to Nick Carraway. This characteristic has developed due to her spoiled character. Coming from a rich family, she has attained everything she wanted. Thus, in her later life, she consistently cheats and lies to attain whatever she wants.

B. GULLIBLE "The rumor is," whispered Jordan, "that that's Tom's girl on the telephone." We were silent. The voice in the hall rose high with annoyance" (92). Although Jordan is from a high social class, she is gullible like other characters in the novel. A rumor is usually a story that contains doubtful truth. However, Jordan treats these rumors as if they are true and gossips about them. For example, in the quote, she predicts that the person on the phone is Tom’s girl. From this we can sense a bit about the high social class

C. BOYISH "Oxford, New Mexico," snorted Tom contemptuously, "or something like that." "Listen, Tom. If you're such a snob, why did you invite him to lunch?" demanded Jordan crossly (97). Jordan Baker is often characterized as boyish throughout the novel. As we can see in the quote, Jordan is not especially patient with matters. Along with her impatience, she is annoyed when things do not go in her way. Thus, she often becomes irritated and boyish, becoming slight self-centered and disregarding others.

3. Evidence of growth or change Jordan shows no change. In the beginning of the novel, she comes off as a very complacent aristocratic woman. In the middle of the novels, during parties, Jordan would gossip about others, like any other conceited woman would. She continuously keeps her cheating in the golf tournament a secret, which shows how dishonest she is. This also shows how much she'd do for the wealth, reputation she wants. Even towards the end of the novel, Jordan remains a shallow person who is worried about her image and reputation.

4. Social standing Jordan Baker is definitely not as wealthy as Jay Gatsby. She likes large parties, such as Gatsby’s, yet she just not have enough financial support to hold massive parties on her own. "He [Gatsby] gives large parties...And I like large parties. They're so intimate. At small parties there isn't any privacy" (49). She did not have an extraordinarily successful American dream like Jay Gatsby, however Jordan is still rich enough to go to hotels, clubs, and other luxurious places in the city. “It was Jordan Baker; she often called me up at this hour because the uncertainty of her own movements between hotels and clubs and private houses made her hard to find in any other way” (154-155). Therefore Jordan Baker’s social standing is between a high class woman and a middle class woman; she is not unbelievably rich like Gatsby yet wealthier than most others in society.

5. Purpose in the novel

Jordan Baker serves several purposes in the novel. Although she is not the main character, she is in the novel to have a love relationship with Nick and to tell Nick anything related to Gatsby. However, Jordan’s main purpose in the novel is to portray one of Fitzgerald's themes, morality. Coming from a rich family, Jordan is a spoiler. Since childhood, Jordan had everything going at her own way. Because everything went in her way, Jordan is willing to do anything that will make her do what she wants. This is portrayed when she cheated in the golf tournament. These actions show corruption of morality. Along with her actions, heavy drinking and partying also reinforces her corrupt character. Therefore, through Jordan, readers get a glimpse idea on how some rich families had spoilers during the 1920’s.

6. Whether he/she is a "good guy" or "bad guy" with at least three quotes to support your answer

Jordan Baker in this book would be a “bad guy” due to her aforementioned negative characteristics, namely deceptiveness. She is a person willing to easily compromise her morals to achieve her goals such as winning a golf tournament. “At her first big golf tournament there was a row that nearly reached the newspapers--a suggestion that she had moved her ball from a bad lie in the semi final round” (57). And although she is accused of cheating, Jordan never truly regrets her behavior or feels guilt, demonstrating an example of a bad person.

In addition to being dishonest herself, Jordan Baker considers others to be deceitful like her, which tends to be a misleading conclusion most of the times. For instance, Jordan Baker doesn’t believe Jay Gatsby went to Oxford for no particular reason. “Well,--he told me once he was an Oxford man...However, I don't believe it." "Why not?" "I don't know," she insisted, "I just don't think he went there"(49). The lack of trust in Jordan reflects that she labels other people as liars without much justification, an incredibly negative quality as a character.

Towards the end of the novel, Jordan even starts to directly accuse Nick of being dishonest in a cynical manner. "You[Nick] said a bad driver was only safe until she met another bad driver? Well, I met another bad driver, didn't I? ... I thought you were rather an honest, straightforward person. I thought it was your secret pride" (177). Whereas Nick Carraway holds honesty as his central value and lived a much more candid life than Jordan, Jordan, an apparent hypocrite, nevertheless blames Nick for his “dishonest” actions. For these reasons, Jordan Baker is a criticizable character and is considered a “bad guy” in the novel.

=Letter=

Dear Nick,

During the short period of time we were together, I had a great time and I know you did too. We shared a connection, a special bond, didn’t we? I know you were more than happy to be with me, Jordan Baker, the most renown female golf player. Indeed, it is an honor for you to even be with me, but don’t feel too intimidated. I still want to be with you, and I am most certainly sure you want to be with me as well. So I wander, why are you leaving? Nick, I assure you that you are making a great mistake by pushing me off. Everything you plan to leave behind is more than anyone could ever ask for. Believe me-- you will be in deep remorse for leaving such a luxurious life in this extravagant town and such a beautiful, young, and successful woman, like me, behind. Nick, you cannot deny the fact that I am a reputable and desirable woman and that we had a splendid time together.

Alright, first of all I’m one of the most attractive women around Long Island. Honestly, admit it Nick. I have a great sense of fashion and I saw you staring at my body. It’s true that golf players tend to be very fashionable but I’m even beyond that level. All my clothes are not very cheap either, I don’t want to wear any cheap clothes on me I’m too beautiful for them! I mean, do you have any idea how I maintain this slim, slender body form? It’s slightly awkward that these kinds of words are coming from my own mouth but you enjoy looking at me and you cannot deny that Nick.

And you know Nick, I’m not just a beautiful girl. No, definitely not like Daisy who just sits around on her couch all day and plays the pretty girl. You probably heard how I’m a professional golfer. And oh please. People might have been talking about how I cheated in a round but that’s completely ridiculous. Nobody can tell for sure if I did it or not - they’re all too jealous of me because I’m too good. Oh I know I’m quite a party girl, but I’m incredibly talented too and I know when to use my talents. Who would you choose: a just attractive girl or an attractive girl with amazing skills, like professional golfing? I know you want me Nick, and I promise I’ll be much valuable to you.

Last but not least, you will never find any better place to live in outside of the West Egg! We have the most extravagant parties, most prestigious and reputable status, and wealthy people, like me. The West Egg has alcohol, money, and sexy people, like me! How could you ever find a replacement for a fabulous home like the West Egg. If you stay, we could be the best couple in the West Egg, with your money and my beauty, reputation, and beauty, oh wait did I already mention that? We can attend, West Egg’s luxurious parties in our expensive gowns looking fabulously ravishing. Every one would look at us with envy and awe, especially me. Wouldn’t you like that, Nick? Of course you would.

My point is, I don't get why you are leaving when you can have the best out of your life with me here. I have a feeling that it is because I intimidate you or because you think I am too good for you. But Nick, honey, although that is true, it doesn’t matter because I am still willing to be with you. You and I share something special, and I know you feel it too deep inside your heart. Do not worry and think about anything and just follow your heart. It is a bit embarrassing for a lady to say this, but I love you. So Nick, honey, don't make a foolish mistake and stay here where you can be with the most charming lady and where you can live a lavish life partying all night and day. I will be waiting and waiting until we can bond together and share our feelings.

Your love, Jordan