The Great Gatsby - F. Scott Fitzgerald

Summary
"The Great Gatsby" is set in the summer of 1922 on Long Island and in New York City. The story is narrated by Nick Carraway, a young man who moves to West Egg, a newly fashionable but less aristocratic town, next door to the mysterious millionaire Jay Gatsby. Gatsby is known for throwing lavish parties, but his true purpose is to attract his lost love, Daisy Buchanan, Nick's cousin, who lives across the bay in East Egg with her wealthy and arrogant husband, Tom. Nick becomes entangled in their lives, witnessing Gatsby's desperate attempts to rekindle his romance with Daisy, which are ultimately doomed by class differences, Tom's possessiveness, and the corrupting influence of wealth. The story culminates in a tragic accident and Gatsby's violent death, exposing the hollowness of the American Dream and the superficiality of the Jazz Age elite.

Book Sections

Section

Chapter 1
Nick Carraway moves from the Midwest to West Egg, Long Island, in the spring of 1922 to work as a bond salesman. His small house is situated next door to the opulent mansion of the enigmatic Jay Gatsby, a man renowned for his extravagant parties. Nick recounts his first dinner at the lavish East Egg home of his cousin, Daisy Buchanan, and her wealthy, former Yale football player husband, Tom Buchanan. There, Nick also meets Jordan Baker, a cynical professional golfer who is Daisy's friend. The dinner is tense, marked by Tom's racist remarks and a phone call revealing his affair. Later that night, Nick sees Gatsby for the first time, standing alone on his lawn, stretching his arms out toward a distant green light across the bay, which Nick later learns is at the end of Daisy's dock.

Character	Characteristics	Motivations
Nick Carraway	Honest, observant, tolerant, a bit naive at first, from the Midwest.	To pursue a career in bonds in New York; to understand the world and its people.
Jay Gatsby	Mysterious, immensely wealthy, throws lavish parties, a hopeful dreamer.	To recapture his past love with Daisy Buchanan.
Daisy Buchanan	Beautiful, charming, rich, seductive voice, but often superficial and indecisive.	To live a life of ease and pleasure; to maintain social status.
Tom Buchanan	Arrogant, wealthy, physically imposing, ex-athlete, racist, unfaithful.	To exert dominance and control; to maintain his privileged lifestyle.
Jordan Baker	Independent, cynical, attractive, professional golfer, prone to dishonesty.	To navigate social circles; to avoid emotional entanglement.

Section

Chapter 2
Tom takes Nick to the "valley of ashes," a desolate industrial wasteland separating West Egg from New York City. There, they stop at a garage owned by George Wilson, a downtrodden mechanic. Tom introduces Nick to George's wife, Myrtle, with whom Tom is having an affair. Tom insists on taking Myrtle to their small apartment in New York City. They are joined by Myrtle's sister, Catherine, and a couple named Mr. and Mrs. McKee. The group drinks heavily, and Myrtle's coarse, boisterous behavior becomes increasingly evident. Tom grows increasingly irritated by Myrtle mentioning Daisy's name, and he breaks her nose with an open hand. Nick, feeling increasingly uncomfortable and disgusted, eventually leaves.

Character	Characteristics	Motivations
Myrtle Wilson	Vulgar, sensual, ambitious, lower-class, desperate to escape her circumstances.	To achieve social mobility and material wealth through her affair with Tom.
George Wilson	Lifeless, defeated, works hard but struggles financially, devoted to Myrtle.	To make an honest living; to improve his garage; to keep Myrtle happy.
Catherine	Myrtle's sister, worldly, talks openly about affairs and Gatsby.	To enjoy herself and partake in social gossip.
Mr. McKee	Effeminate photographer, somewhat sycophantic.	To advance his photography career; to socialize with those of higher status.
Mrs. McKee	His loud, sharp-voiced wife, who criticizes her husband.	To socialize; to discuss Mrs. Wilson.

Section

Chapter 3
Nick attends one of Gatsby's famous, extravagant parties, observing the diverse crowd of socialites, movie stars, and hangers-on who come without invitation. He feels out of place but eventually encounters Jordan Baker, and they spend time together. Nick hears many rumors about Gatsby—that he's a German spy, a war hero, or even a murderer. He also meets a cynical old man in Gatsby's library, "Owl Eyes," who marvels at the authenticity of Gatsby's books. Finally, Nick meets Gatsby himself, a polite and charming young man who speaks with a curious formality and refers to Nick as "old sport." Gatsby confides that he served in the war with Nick. Nick observes Gatsby's intense desire to be liked and his somewhat isolated nature amidst his own party. As the party ends, Nick sees a car accident involving Owl Eyes and a tire coming off. Nick and Jordan begin to develop a casual relationship.

Section

Chapter 4
In July, Nick keeps a list of the guests who attend Gatsby's parties, noting their superficiality. Gatsby takes Nick for a drive into New York City in his extravagant car. During the drive, Gatsby attempts to tell Nick about his past, claiming to be the son of wealthy Midwesterners, educated at Oxford, and a war hero who received medals from Montenegro. He even shows Nick a medal and a photograph from Oxford. Nick finds the story hard to believe. They stop for lunch, and Gatsby introduces Nick to Meyer Wolfsheim, an infamous gambler who fixed the 1919 World Series. Wolfsheim is Gatsby's business associate and suggests Gatsby is involved in mysterious, perhaps illicit, activities. Later, Jordan reveals to Nick that Gatsby bought his house specifically to be across the bay from Daisy and that he wants Nick to arrange a reunion between them. Gatsby, she explains, was deeply in love with Daisy five years prior, before he went to war and she married Tom.

Character	Characteristics	Motivations
Meyer Wolfsheim	An old, shadowy figure with flat-nosed cufflinks, gambler, speaks about "business connections."	To profit from illegal activities; to maintain his criminal empire.

Section

Chapter 5
Gatsby is incredibly nervous about his impending reunion with Daisy at Nick's house. He sends a gardener to cut Nick's lawn and even offers Nick a job, presumably to pay him for his help, which Nick declines. The reunion itself is initially awkward and uncomfortable, marked by Gatsby's extreme anxiety and Daisy's mixture of shyness and curiosity. After an initial tense period, Gatsby and Daisy become more relaxed. Gatsby then invites Nick and Daisy to his mansion, where he proudly shows off his extravagant home and his vast collection of clothes. Daisy is overwhelmed by Gatsby's wealth and devotion, even crying over his beautiful shirts, realizing what her life with Tom has truly cost her. The green light, which once symbolized Gatsby's distant dream, loses some of its mystical power now that he has reconnected with Daisy. Gatsby has a musician named Klipspringer play the piano for them.

Character	Characteristics	Motivations
Ewing Klipspringer	"The boarder," a freeloading guest who seems to live at Gatsby's house, playing the piano.	To take advantage of Gatsby's hospitality and lavish lifestyle.

Section

Chapter 6
A reporter comes to Gatsby's house, trying to uncover the truth about his past, prompting rumors that Gatsby lives on a boat or in a cellar. Nick finally learns Gatsby's true history: he was born James Gatz to impoverished farmers in North Dakota. At 17, he met Dan Cody, a wealthy copper magnate, and became his assistant, sailing with him for five years and learning about the world of wealth and privilege. This experience transformed him into Jay Gatsby, a man determined to achieve greatness. Cody left Gatsby $25,000, but Cody's mistress, Ella Kaye, managed to swindle Gatsby out of the inheritance. One Sunday, Tom Buchanan, along with two friends, stops by Gatsby's house, and their interaction is visibly uncomfortable, highlighting the clash between old and new money. Later, Tom and Daisy attend one of Gatsby's parties, which Daisy finds vulgar. Gatsby is desperate for Daisy to tell Tom she never loved him and to leave him for Gatsby, but Daisy is hesitant.

Section

Chapter 7
The summer heat intensifies, mirroring the rising tensions between the characters. Gatsby has fired his old servants to prevent gossip and has replaced them with shady individuals connected to Wolfsheim. At the Buchanan's house, Daisy openly flirts with Gatsby, enraging Tom, who realizes what is happening. Daisy suggests they all go to town, and they drive to the Plaza Hotel in New York. There, a heated confrontation erupts between Tom and Gatsby. Gatsby demands that Daisy tell Tom she never loved him, but Daisy hesitates, admitting she loved Tom "once." Tom exposes Gatsby's illegal bootlegging and other shady dealings. Daisy, torn and exhausted, retreats from Gatsby. Tom, feeling triumphant, sends Daisy and Gatsby home together in Gatsby's car, while he, Nick, and Jordan follow in Tom's car. On the way back, they discover that Myrtle Wilson has been hit and killed by a car, which Tom immediately realizes is Gatsby's yellow vehicle.

Section

Chapter 8
The morning after the accident, Gatsby confides in Nick, revealing the full story of his love for Daisy and his desperate attempts to win her back. He tells Nick he stayed up all night outside Daisy's house, ensuring her safety. Gatsby reminisces about falling in love with Daisy five years earlier, admiring her wealth and social standing, and how he misrepresented his own background to win her. He clung to the dream of her love, even as it became increasingly clear she could not live up to his idealized vision. Nick advises Gatsby to leave West Egg, sensing danger, but Gatsby refuses, still hoping Daisy will call. George Wilson, distraught and driven to vengeance after Myrtle's death, believes the yellow car belonged to Tom and that its driver was Myrtle's lover. After a short conversation with Michaelis, he eventually tracks Gatsby to his mansion, where he shoots Gatsby while he is floating in his swimming pool, then shoots himself.

Section

Chapter 9
The immediate aftermath of Gatsby's death is marked by a profound sense of isolation and apathy. Nick tries to organize a proper funeral for Gatsby but finds himself utterly alone. Daisy and Tom disappear without a trace. Wolfsheim refuses to get involved, citing an aversion to funerals. The only people who show up are Nick, Gatsby's elderly father, Henry C. Gatz (who arrives from the Midwest, proudly showing Nick a faded photograph of Gatsby's house and a self-improvement schedule from his youth), and Owl Eyes, a solitary figure from Gatsby's parties. Nick reflects on the emptiness of the East and decides to return to the Midwest. Before leaving, he encounters Tom Buchanan, who admits he told George Wilson that Gatsby owned the yellow car. Nick confronts Tom about his recklessness and carelessness. Nick then visits Gatsby's deserted mansion for the last time, contemplating the green light, Gatsby's enduring dream, and the elusive nature of the American Dream.

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Literary Genre:
Tragedy, Modernist Novel, Social Commentary, Jazz Age Novel.

Author Facts (F. Scott Fitzgerald):

• Born: September 24, 1896, in St. Paul, Minnesota, USA.
• Full Name: Francis Scott Key Fitzgerald.
• Personal Life: He led a tumultuous life, famously associated with the Jazz Age. He married Zelda Sayre, a vibrant and independent woman, and their extravagant lifestyle and marital troubles often mirrored themes in his fiction.
• Career: He was a prominent member of the "Lost Generation" of American writers in the 1920s.
• Death: He died of a heart attack on December 21, 1940, at the age of 44, believing himself a failure, as his later work had not achieved the same success as his early novels.
• Resurgence: His work, particularly "The Great Gatsby," gained critical acclaim and widespread popularity posthumously.

Morale:
The primary morale or theme of "The Great Gatsby" is the corrupting nature of the American Dream when pursued through materialism and superficiality, and the impossibility of truly reliving the past. Gatsby's relentless pursuit of Daisy, driven by his idealized vision of wealth and status, ultimately leads to his destruction. The book critiques the moral decay, carelessness, and social stratification of the Jazz Age, suggesting that wealth without substance is hollow and ultimately destructive. It also explores the destructive power of nostalgia and the tragic consequences of clinging to an idealized past.

Curiosities:

• Initial Reception: "The Great Gatsby" was not an immediate bestseller when it was first published in 1925. It sold modestly during Fitzgerald's lifetime and only gained widespread popularity and critical acclaim after World War II, when it became a staple of American literature courses.
• Title Changes: Fitzgerald struggled with the title, considering several options including "Trimalchio in West Egg," "Under the Red, White, and Blue," "The Gold-Hatted Gatsby," and "The High-Bouncing Lover," before settling on "The Great Gatsby" just weeks before publication.
• Real-Life Inspirations: Many aspects of the novel were inspired by Fitzgerald's own experiences and observations. The lavish parties and social scene were drawn from his time living on Long Island, and he drew on his relationship with Zelda and his own aspirations. Some speculate that the character of Gatsby was partly inspired by Max Gerlach, a mysterious wealthy neighbor Fitzgerald knew on Long Island who used to refer to people as "old sport."
• The Green Light: The green light at the end of Daisy's dock has become one of the most iconic and frequently analyzed symbols in American literature, representing hope, the elusive American Dream, and Gatsby's idealized future with Daisy.
• Movie Adaptations: The novel has been adapted into several films, with notable versions starring Robert Redford (1974) and Leonardo DiCaprio (2013), each bringing renewed attention to the classic story.