The Great Gatsby
The Great Gatsby quotes
Memorable lines from The Great Gatsby, word for word as they are lettered in the graphic novel. Page numbers refer to the graphic novel.
Key lines, in story order
“In my younger and more vulnerable years my father gave me some advice that I’ve been turning over in my mind ever since.”
Page 3 · Nick introduces his narrative perspective and his move East. “She might have the decency not to telephone him at dinner time. Don’t you think?”
Page 7 · Tension simmers beneath the polished surface of dinner. “She was in the middle thirties, and faintly stout, but she carried her surplus flesh sensuously as some women can.”
Page 14 · Nick is introduced to George and Myrtle Wilson. “In his blue gardens men and girls came and went like moths among the whisperings and the champagne and the stars.”
Page 21 · Montage of Gatsby's extravagant summer parties. “I am one of the few honest people that I have ever known.”
Page 30 · Nick's quiet life and developing bond with Jordan. “Finest specimens of human molars, he informed me.”
Page 34 · Meeting Meyer Wolfsheim in the subterranean speakeasy. “Take ’em down-stairs and give ’em back to whoever they belong to. Tell ’em all Daisy’s change’ her mine!”
Page 38 · Daisy's bridal breakdown over Gatsby's letter. “He literally glowed; without a word or a gesture of exultation a new well-being radiated from him and filled the little room.”
Page 46 · The emotional breakthrough between Gatsby and Daisy. “James Gatz—that was really, or at least legally, his name. He had changed it at the age of seventeen.”
Page 51 · The origin story of young James Gatz. “I’ve been here too long. I want to get away. My wife and I want to go west.”
Page 63 · George Wilson reveals he knows Myrtle has a secret life. “He looked—and this is said in all contempt for the babbled slander of his garden—as if he had ‘killed a man.’”
Page 68 · Tom destroys Gatsby's reputation in front of Daisy. “Gatsby believed in the green light, the orgastic future that year by year recedes before us.”
Page 81 · Nick's meditative farewell to West Egg and Gatsby's dock.
Quotes by character
“So we beat on, boats against the current, borne back ceaselessly into the past.”
Nick Carraway, page 82 
“Can’t repeat the past? Why of course you can!”
Jay Gatsby, page 57 
“I hope she’ll be a fool—that’s the best thing a girl can be in this world, a beautiful little fool.”
Daisy Buchanan, page 9 
“You’re crazy! Daisy loved me when she married me and she loves me now!”
Tom Buchanan, page 66 
“You’re a careful driver, Nick. I hate careless people. That’s why I like you.”
Jordan Baker, page 30 
“Daisy! Daisy! Daisy! I’ll say it whenever I want to!”
Myrtle Wilson, page 19 
“I spoke to her. I told her she might fool me, but she couldn't fool God!”
George Wilson, page 76 
“Looking for a business gonnegtion, Mr. Carraway?”
Meyer Wolfsheim, page 34 
“They’re real. Absolute real pages and everything. I thought they’d be a nice durable cardboard.”
Owl Eyes, page 25 
“In the morning, in the evening, ain't we got fun—”
Ewing Klipspringer, page 50 
“Jimmy was bound to get ahead. He always had some resolves like this or something.”
Henry C. Gatz, page 78 
“They say he’s a nephew or a cousin of Kaiser Wilhelm’s. That’s where all his money comes from.”
Catherine, page 18 
“Beauty and the Beast... Loneliness... Old Grocery Horse...”
Chester McKee, page 20 
“You've got sharp eyes and quick grit, son. What's your name?”
Dan Cody, page 52
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