The Great Gatsby - Chapter One
Overview of the Chapter
- Narrator: Nick Carraway
- 29 years old
- Reflects on recent life experiences
- Graduate of Yale, served in the Army
- Moves from Midwest to New York City
- Setting:
- Resides in West Egg, Long Island
- Neighbor to Jay Gatsby, a wealthy and mysterious businessman
- East Egg across the bay, home to Nick's cousin Daisy Buchanan and her husband Tom Buchanan
Key Events
- Nick's Arrival in West Egg
- Rents a house next to Gatsby
- Dinner Invitation
- Invited to the Buchanans' home
- Meets Daisy's friend, Jordan Baker (professional golfer)
- Dinner conversation is superficial
- Tom Buchanan's Phone Call
- Leaves dinner for a phone call
- Jordan reveals Tom's mistress is in New York
- Tom displays no attempt to hide the affair
Observation of Jay Gatsby
- Gatsby's Mysterious Actions
- Nick sees Gatsby reaching towards a green light across the bay
Themes and Character Descriptions
- Nick Carraway as Narrator
- Honest, non-judgmental, moral
- Perfect lens for the story of deception, superficiality, and immorality
- Fits into both social circles: old-money (East Egg) and new-money (West Egg)
- Tom Buchanan
- Arrogant and brutish
- Represents the insensitive old-money residents
- Jay Gatsby
- Vulnerable new-money resident
- Daisy Buchanan & Jordan Baker
- Superficial and frivolous
- Women described as floating through life
Symbolism
- The Green Light
- Symbolizes Gatsby's hope and aspirations
- Initially thought to be a symbol of money
- Later associated with Daisy Buchanan's love
Author's Style
- F. Scott Fitzgerald's Descriptions
- Detailed portrayal of opulent lifestyle
- Grand mansions, butlers, horse stables
- Characters are living in a world of superficiality
Nick's Reaction
- Nick's Discomfort
- Confused and disgusted by the superficial lifestyle
This chapter sets the stage for the exploration of themes like wealth, love, and social class through the eyes of an objective narrator, Nick Carraway.