The Great Gatsby By F Scott Fitzgerald, An Overview
Summary: The Great Gatsby begins in the summer of 1929, narrated by Nick Carraway who is recounting the events of that summer. Nick has just moved from the Midwest and has rented a home in the West Egg of Long Island, hoping to get into the bonds businesses due to the flourishing economy. Daisy, Nick's second cousin once removed, and her husband Tom, Nick’s acquaintance from Yale, also live on Long Island, but on the East Egg. One evening, Nick visits Daisy and Tom for dinner to catch up with them. He also meets Jordan Baker, a famous golfer who is best friends with Daisy, whom he has a relationship with later on in the novel. Nick discovers that the Buchanan's are extremely wealthy and they have a young daughter, Pammy Buchanan. He also discovers that Tom is having an affair with another woman, although it is hinted that Daisy is already aware of this. Later that evening, Nick goes home and catches a glimpse of his neighbor Gatsby, whom Jordan had talked about earlier. He decides not to introduce himself just yet since Gatsby appears to be preoccupied.
One afternoon, Nick and Tom go out together and Nick meets Tom’s mistress, Myrtle Wilson, who lives in the Valley of Ashes on Long Island with her husband, George Wilson. Myrtle sneaks away from her husband to join Tom and a reluctant Nick in a party in a New York Hotel. At the party, Nick gets drunk and Tom breaks Myrtle’s nose during an argument.
Soon after, Nick gets an invitation from his neighbor, Jay Gatsby, to attend his party that night. Although Nick does not recognize him immediately, Nick finds Gatsby and is drawn to his charming and charismatic persona, despite the distrust Nick has for him. Later one morning, Gatsby and Nick go out and Gatsby explains his life story to Nick so Nick will think favourably of him. Gatsby also takes Nick to see Myer Wolfshiem, his associate, to validate his story. Before Gatsby could ask Nick for his favour, they run into Tom, and Gatsby leaves promptly. Jordan is the one who asks Nick instead later, during a get together. She wants him to host tea for Gatsby and Daisy, without informing Daisy whom she would be meeting. Jordan informs Nick of Gatsby and Daisy’s relationship five years prior and the unfortunate circumstances since then. Despite his shock, Nick agrees. It is initially very uncomfortable for Daisy and Gatsby, however, after some time, they resume their previous relationship and begin having an affair.
Eventually, Tom learns of this affair, while having lunch with Daisy, Jordan, Nick, and Gatsby. The group heads out to the hotel in New York and Tom confronts Daisy and Gatsby on the issue, as well as revealing Gatsby’s illegal activities in bootlegging. Unable to make a decision, Daisy panics and Tom sends Gatsby and her home in Gatsby’s yellow car.
Nick, Tom, and Jordan also go home. On the way home, they witness the crime scene of the accident where Myrtle Wilson was killed by a speeding yellow car. Tom, believing it to be Gatsby’s car, informs George Wilson Gatsby killed Myrtle because he had an affair with her.
Back at the Buchanan’s mansion, Daisy goes back to Tom and it is implied that they will be staying together. Nick sees Gatsby hiding in the shrubbery. Speaking to him, Nick learns that Daisy was the one driving the car, and therefore, killed Myrtle. Gatsby still chooses to wait for Daisy, believing that she will call him and come back. This never happens since Gatsby is shot by George Wilson, who also kills himself right after. The story ends with Gatsby’s funeral, no one in attendance but Nick, Gatsby’s father, and a man with owl eyed glasses. The Buchanans left, Jordan and Nick broke up, Wolfsheim didn’t want to get involved, and everyone else abandoned him. Nick also leaves after the funeral, moving back to the Midwest, disillusioned by the events of that summer.
Summary: The Great Gatsby begins in the summer of 1929, narrated by Nick Carraway who is recounting the events of that summer. Nick has just moved from the Midwest and has rented a home in the West Egg of Long Island, hoping to get into the bonds businesses due to the flourishing economy. Daisy, Nick's second cousin once removed, and her husband Tom, Nick’s acquaintance from Yale, also live on Long Island, but on the East Egg. One evening, Nick visits Daisy and Tom for dinner to catch up with them. He also meets Jordan Baker, a famous golfer who is best friends with Daisy, whom he has a relationship with later on in the novel. Nick discovers that the Buchanan's are extremely wealthy and they have a young daughter, Pammy Buchanan. He also discovers that Tom is having an affair with another woman, although it is hinted that Daisy is already aware of this. Later that evening, Nick goes home and catches a glimpse of his neighbor Gatsby, whom Jordan had talked about earlier. He decides not to introduce himself just yet since Gatsby appears to be preoccupied.
One afternoon, Nick and Tom go out together and Nick meets Tom’s mistress, Myrtle Wilson, who lives in the Valley of Ashes on Long Island with her husband, George Wilson. Myrtle sneaks away from her husband to join Tom and a reluctant Nick in a party in a New York Hotel. At the party, Nick gets drunk and Tom breaks Myrtle’s nose during an argument.
Soon after, Nick gets an invitation from his neighbor, Jay Gatsby, to attend his party that night. Although Nick does not recognize him immediately, Nick finds Gatsby and is drawn to his charming and charismatic persona, despite the distrust Nick has for him. Later one morning, Gatsby and Nick go out and Gatsby explains his life story to Nick so Nick will think favourably of him. Gatsby also takes Nick to see Myer Wolfshiem, his associate, to validate his story. Before Gatsby could ask Nick for his favour, they run into Tom, and Gatsby leaves promptly. Jordan is the one who asks Nick instead later, during a get together. She wants him to host tea for Gatsby and Daisy, without informing Daisy whom she would be meeting. Jordan informs Nick of Gatsby and Daisy’s relationship five years prior and the unfortunate circumstances since then. Despite his shock, Nick agrees. It is initially very uncomfortable for Daisy and Gatsby, however, after some time, they resume their previous relationship and begin having an affair.
Eventually, Tom learns of this affair, while having lunch with Daisy, Jordan, Nick, and Gatsby. The group heads out to the hotel in New York and Tom confronts Daisy and Gatsby on the issue, as well as revealing Gatsby’s illegal activities in bootlegging. Unable to make a decision, Daisy panics and Tom sends Gatsby and her home in Gatsby’s yellow car.
Nick, Tom, and Jordan also go home. On the way home, they witness the crime scene of the accident where Myrtle Wilson was killed by a speeding yellow car. Tom, believing it to be Gatsby’s car, informs George Wilson Gatsby killed Myrtle because he had an affair with her.
Back at the Buchanan’s mansion, Daisy goes back to Tom and it is implied that they will be staying together. Nick sees Gatsby hiding in the shrubbery. Speaking to him, Nick learns that Daisy was the one driving the car, and therefore, killed Myrtle. Gatsby still chooses to wait for Daisy, believing that she will call him and come back. This never happens since Gatsby is shot by George Wilson, who also kills himself right after. The story ends with Gatsby’s funeral, no one in attendance but Nick, Gatsby’s father, and a man with owl eyed glasses. The Buchanans left, Jordan and Nick broke up, Wolfsheim didn’t want to get involved, and everyone else abandoned him. Nick also leaves after the funeral, moving back to the Midwest, disillusioned by the events of that summer.
Characters:
Nick Carraway- Nick is the narrator of the story. He often does not participate in the action and is not considered the protagonist. He is very mild mannered and has been taught old fashioned values from his family. With plans to move to New York, he had dreams of becoming a bondsman after giving up on his dream of becoming a writer. His family became rich after the American Civil War so he is considered "old money." He also knew Tom from college, where they both attended Yale. Daisy is his second cousin once removed, whom Nick helps have affair with his neighbor, Gatsby. Jordan, Daisy's best friend, and Nick eventually begin a romantic relationship but this ends abruptly by the end of the novel. Tom Buchanan- Tom Buchanan is the husband of Daisy. He can often be very cruel and demeaning to people, even to those that he likes. Being the richest character of the novel, Tom was born into a wealthy family. Because of this, he is prejudice to people in lower social classes. Jordan Baker- Jordan Baker is the best friend of Daisy Buchanan and Nick’s 'girlfriend' for part of the novel. Nick describes her as cynical, selfish, dishonest, and cold. Myrtle Wilson- Myrtle Wilson is George Wilson’s wife and Tom’s mistress who lives in the Valley of Ashes. She is very sensuous and has a stunning vitality which is attractive George Wilson- George Wilson is Myrtle Wilson's husband who works as a mechanic in a garage at the Valley of Ashes. He is not aware of his wife's affair with Tom until moments before Myrtle is killed. George kills Gatsby, under the belief that Gatsby was having an affair with Myrtle and killed her. Often times, George is described as a very ghost-like, ashen figure.
Meyer Wolfsheim- Wolfsheim is Gatsby's associate who works alongside Gatsby to conduct illegal activity such as selling liquor. He did not attend Gatsby's funeral. Owl Eyes- Owl Eyes only briefly appears in certain points during the novel such as during the party or at his funeral. |
Jay Gatsby- Jay Gatsby is the protagonist of the novel, born as James Gatz to a poor family in North Dakota. Dropping out of school and leaving his family, Gatsby eventually met Dan Cody on Lake Superior and befriended him. Over the course of ten years, they traveled around the world and Cody became a mentor to Gatsby. Cody’s heavy drinking taught Gatsby the problems with alcohol but Gatsby still desired a life of wealth and luxury. After Cody died, Gatsby was cheated out of his inheritance by Cody’s wife. Gatsby was also involved in the First World War as a Major. Before leaving America for the War, Gatsby and Daisy were in relationship. After he left, Daisy moved on and married Tom. Despite this, Gatsby still strongly believed that Daisy would come back to him, even after five years. He made a fortune from bootlegging and tried to form a life that Daisy would want to join. Gatsby is characterized as a dreamer who is charismatic, charming, mysterious, and elusive. He is also a bit false and has many flaws to his character as Nick points out several times.
Daisy Buchanan- Daisy is the wife of Tom Buchanan. She also is a mother of Pammy but appears to be unhappy with her life. The novel implies she is aware of the affairs her husband has and that she feels very alone. Before marrying Tom, Daisy was the golden girl with many suitors who wanted to marry her. Gatsby, a soldier in the War, also fell in love with Daisy and they had a brief relationship. When he was called to fight in the War, Daisy promised to wait for him. She get tired of waiting and married Tom soon after. Five years later when she meets Gatsby again, they restart their relationship. Ewing Klipsringer- Klipsringer lives with Gatsby and can play instruments; however, he has no true function at Gatsby's house and is merely freeloading off him.
Pammy Buchanan- The young daughter of Tom and Daisy Buchanan, only seen briefly in the novel |
Recurring Symbols and Motifs:
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