Great Gatsby

Nick Carraway's father's advice

"Whenever you feel like criticizing anyone, just remember that all the people in this world haven't had the advantages that you've had" – sets up Nick as a non‑judgmental narrator.

Nick’s background

Wealthy upbringing, Yale graduate, now a bond man/financier in NYC.

West Egg vs. East Egg

West Egg = "new money" (Nick, Gatsby); East Egg = "old money" (Tom, Daisy) – class distinction.

Nick’s mysterious neighbor

Mr. Gatsby – wealthy, elusive, lives in a lavish mansion next to Nick.

Tom Buchanan

Daisy’s aggressive, wealthy husband; former football star; unfaithful and entitled.

Jordan Baker

Cynical, dishonest golfer; Daisy’s friend who becomes involved with Nick.

Daisy Buchanan

Nick’s cousin; charming but disillusioned; trapped by wealth and her marriage.

Tom’s affair revealed

Jordan tells Nick Tom’s mistress Myrtle calls the Buchanans’ home, exposing the affair.

Daisy’s comment about her daughter

She wants her daughter to be "a beautiful little fool", highlighting social and gender limits.

Gatsby and the green light

Gatsby looks across the bay at a green light, symbolizing hope, desire, and Daisy.

Valley of Ashes

Industrial wasteland between Eggs and NYC; represents moral decay.

Doctor T.J. Eckleburg billboard

Eyes on a billboard in the valley of ashes, symbolizing judgment or lost spirituality.

Tom's mistress

Myrtle Wilson – married to George Wilson, lives in the valley of ashes, having an affair with Tom.

Tom buys Myrtle a puppy

Symbolizes his status display and Myrtle’s role as his possession.

Myrtle’s sister Catherine

Says Tom and Myrtle despise their spouses – suggests deception and dissatisfaction.

Tom breaks Myrtle’s nose

He violently breaks her nose after she repeats Daisy’s name, highlighting his brutality.

Nick’s second time drunk

Happens at Tom and Myrtle’s NYC gathering – part of the decadence and moral chaos.

Gatsby’s parties

Lavish, extravagant gatherings attended by strangers; Gatsby rarely interacts with guests.

Nick’s invitation

Nick is one of the few formally invited to Gatsby’s party, signaling unique access.

Rumors about Gatsby

Partygoers whisper that he's a murderer or spy, feeding his mysterious image.

Owl Eyes in the library

A drunk impressed by Gatsby’s real books, symbolizing unexpected authenticity.

Nick meets Gatsby

Gatsby greets Nick at the party, calls him "old sport"; Gatsby is younger than expected.

Jordan and Gatsby’s private talk

Gatsby and Jordan go into another room for a secret conversation, building intrigue.

Jordan’s dishonesty

Nick recalls rumor she cheated in a golf tournament and lies casually.

Jordan’s view on driving

Claims careless people like her are fine as long as others are cautious — metaphor for recklessness.

Nick’s feelings for Jordan

Curious but not in love; admires sophistication but distrusts her honesty.

Nick’s honesty

Considers himself "one of the few honest people" he knows, contrasting with others.

Speculation about Gatsby’s job

Guests debate if he's a bootlegger or criminal – Gatsby keeps his work vague.

Gatsby’s claimed background

Claims Oxford education, wealthy Midwestern family, war hero credentials.

Gatsby’s proof

Shows Nick a medal and an Oxford photograph to support his backstory.

Mr. Wolfsheim

Gatsby’s shady associate; allegedly fixed the 1919 World Series; has molar cufflinks.

Jordan’s story about Daisy & Gatsby

Gatsby and Daisy fell in love in 1917; her family intervened and separated them.

Daisy's wedding doubts

The night before she married Tom, Daisy was drunk and considered calling off the wedding.

Daisy and Tom's honeymoon

She initially seemed happy, but Tom allegedly cheated soon after with a hotel maid.

Daisy stops drinking

After wedding-night turmoil, Daisy apparently gives up drinking altogether.

Gatsby’s motive for mansion

Gatsby buys a West Egg mansion to be near Daisy and win her back.

Gatsby’s tea plan

Gatsby asks Nick to invite Daisy for tea, enabling a casual reunion.

Chapter 5 – Gatsby’s nervousness before tea

Gatsby is jittery and anxious about Daisy’s visit.

Chapter 5 – Rain during tea

Rain reflects initial tension; clears as Gatsby and Daisy reconnect.

Chapter 5 – Clock falling off mantle

Gatsby knocks the clock over – symbolizes his attempt to recapture the past or control time.

Chapter 5 – Shirt crying scene

Daisy weeps over Gatsby’s luxurious shirts – symbolizes materialism and emotion.

Chapter 5 – Klipspringer’s piano playing

Plays “The Love Nest”, highlighting the romantic fantasy atmosphere.

Chapter 5 – Gatsby’s idealism

He believes he can recreate his past romance with Daisy exactly.

Chapter 5 – “The past can be repeated”

Gatsby says: “Can’t repeat the past? Why of course you can!” – his unrealistic hope.

Chapter 6 – Gatsby’s true background

Originally James Gatz, from a poor North Dakota family, reinvented himself.

Chapter 6 – Dan Cody

Wealthy mentor to young Gatsby; his influence shaped Gatsby’s aspirations.

Chapter 6 – Self‑made illusion

Gatsby’s entire identity is constructed to escape poverty and attract Daisy.

Chapter 6 – Sloane incident

Gatsby attempts to join unwelcomed dinner guests; shows his outsider status.

Chapter 6 – Tom at Gatsby’s party

Tom dislikes Gatsby and views him as socially inferior.

Chapter 6 – Daisy’s reaction to Gatsby’s party

She finds the party vulgar and distasteful – cracks in Gatsby’s dream.

Chapter 6 – Party tone change

Lavish but hostile and uneasy – Gatsby’s desperation shows.

Chapter 7 – Servant firing

Gatsby replaces his servants to prevent gossip about Daisy’s visits.

Chapter 7 – Pammy’s appearance

Gatsby is unsettled by Daisy’s daughter – a reminder Daisy has a separate life.

Chapter 7 – “You always look so cool.”

Daisy says this to reassure Gatsby – coded expression of love; heightens tension.

Chapter 7 – Oxford dispute

Tom challenges Gatsby’s claim about Oxford; Gatsby attempts defense, revealing insecurity.

Chapter 7 – Tom’s hypocrisy

Tom criticizes Daisy’s affair while cheating himself; shows entitlement and double standards.

Chapter 7 – “You’re revolting.”

Daisy tells Tom this; admits she once loved both men; complicates Gatsby’s fantasy.

Chapter 7 – Car swap symbolism

Gatsby drives Daisy’s blue car home; Tom drives Gatsby’s yellow car – foreshadows tragedy.

Chapter 7 – Myrtle’s death

Myrtle runs into Gatsby’s yellow car; Daisy was driving; Gatsby takes the blame.

Chapter 7 – George Wilson’s grief

Believes Gatsby was Myrtle’s lover and killer; grief guides his actions.

Chapter 7 – Eyes of Eckleburg revisited

George sees the billboard’s eyes as God’s judgement.

Chapter 7 – “Watching over nothing.”

Gatsby watches Daisy’s house after tragedy; symbolic of his futile hope.

Chapter 8 – Daisy the “nice girl”

Gatsby’s idealized first love; symbol of class and aspiration.

Chapter 8 – Gatsby’s war experience

WWI service and medals contribute to his romantic idealism.

Chapter 8 – Nick’s final compliment

“Gatsby, you’re worth the whole damn bunch put together.” – deep admiration amid disapproval.

Chapter 8 – Wilson’s divine judgment

Wilson believes God (Eckleburg’s eyes) sees all; moral and spiritual decay theme.

Chapter 8 – Pool symbolism

Gatsby finally swims in his pool – signifies vulnerable final attempt at his dream.

Chapter 8 – Gatsby’s death

Shot by George Wilson in the pool after Daisy’s crash; Gatsby dies clinging to his dream.

Chapter 9 – Gatsby’s funeral

Only Nick, Mr. Gatz, and Owl Eyes attend – reveals shallow relationships despite his popularity.

Chapter 9 – Owl Eyes at funeral

Shows up, astonished strangers didn't care—symbol of genuine perception.

Chapter 9 – Gatsby’s father

Mr. Gatz is proud, shares Gatsby’s boyhood schedule – reflects ambition and the American Dream.

Chapter 9 – Meyer Wolfsheim’s absence

Refuses to attend; underscores Gatsby’s isolation.

Chapter 9 – “Careless People”

Nick labels Tom and Daisy as careless—they damage lives and flee responsibility.

Chapter 9 – El Greco vision

Nick imagines surreal, chaotic scene in NYC – expresses his disillusionment.

Chapter 9 – Nick leaves East

He returns to the Midwest, seeking moral clarity and distance from East’s decadence.

Chapter 9 – Final green‑light reflection

Nick sees the green light as symbol of unreachable dreams and Gatsby’s hope.

Chapter 9 – Closing line meaning

“So we beat on, boats against the current…” – human struggle against the pull of the past.