The Great Gatsby Book Notes
Character List
Nick: The Narrator of the whole novel who is a young optimistic man that lives in a somewhat privilege family and he graduated from New Haven (Yale) in 1915. He moved to New York for bonds businesses and lives in a part of New York called the West Egg which is where people of old money live. Nick’s personality is passive, nonchalant, and tries his best to be honest and nonjudgmental, and he is also quiet and a good listener.
Gatsby: The main character of the novel who is a wealthy, mysterious, and idealistic man
Symbols
Chapter 1
- Narrator: Nick, lives in a somewhat privilege family and he graduated from New Haven (Yale) in 1915
- He decides to move to New York for bond businesses (moved to make more money) and his father said he would finance Nick once he moves to New York
- Nick starts to talk about Gatsby (main character) and how he’s very privileged(but wasn’t born privileged and had to work for it), Nick feels a mix of curiosity and skepticism towards Gatsby, but he somewhat likes him because he finds something gorgeous about him.
- Nick describes his house in New York as a beaten cardboard bungalow (lives in the West Egg) that is modest compared to the extravagant mansions of East Egg, highlighting the contrast between his humble beginnings and the wealth surrounding him.
- Then we get to see Nick introduce Daisy who was Nick’s cousin twice removed and Tom who went to Yale with Nick
- Tom: Daisy’s Husband, former college football player, very masculine guy, can be very cocky, arrogant man with a “cruel body” and “enormous power” (which is the reason why not a lot of people like him)
- Daisy: Tom’s Wife, a very beautiful and charming women with a captivating voice, but somewhat shallow, careless, and with a sense of underlying sadness
- Nick and Gatsby lives in the West Egg (which is like the less fashionable old money) and Daisy and Tom lives in the East Egg (which is like the more fashionable new money)
- Nick was next door neighbors to Gatsby and Gatsby lives in a mansion that looks like a hotel
- There’s a bay thats separating West egg and East egg
- Tom is cheating on Daisy with a women that lives in New York, but Daisy does know that tom is cheating on her
Summary of Chapter 1
In The Great Gatsby, the narrator, Nick Carraway, is a young man from Minnesota who moves to New York in 1922 to work in the bond business. He rents a house in West Egg, next to the mysterious Gatsby, a man Nick admires despite his flaws. West Egg is home to the "new rich," in contrast to the old-moneyed East Egg. Nick is socially connected, having gone to Yale, and visits his cousin Daisy and her husband, Tom Buchanan, in East Egg. During dinner, Tom reveals his racist beliefs, and it's clear he's having an affair. That night, Nick sees Gatsby for the first time, standing on his lawn, reaching out toward a distant green light across the water.
Chapter 2
- Nick describes the land that lies in between the Eggs and New York City as a Valley of ashes
- We go from the Eggs to the Valley of the ashes
- In this place, ashes takes the shape of men and buildings
- Above this land are eyes of Doctor T.J. Eckleburg, or rather, a billboard left from a “wild wag of an oculist”
- Nick is traveling to the city with Tom, who insists on stopping in this place to show Nick his mistress
- Tom’s mistress is the wife of an auto mechanic named Myrtle Wilson
- The mistress’s husband is described as anemic, and both Tom and Myrtle, treat him poorly
- Tom wants Myrtle to go into the city, so they can spend time together
- George is ignorant. He thinks Myrtle goes to the city to visit her sister
- The mistress, Tom, and Nick sit in different cars on the train, but as soon as they get to the city, Myrtle begins buying things and asks Tom to buy her a dog
- As the three go to Myrtle and Tom’s apartment, Nick tries to leave, feeling like a third wheel
- At the apartment, Myrtle decides to throw a party and invites her sister, her mother, and the Mckees.
- At this party, Nick reveals that this was only the second time he’s been drunk in his life
- Nick mentions that he lives next door to Gatsby, and Myrtle’s sister claims she heard a rumor that he’s related to Kaiser Williams of Germany
- This rumor adds to the mystique surrounding Gatsby and sparks further curiosity among the guests about his true identity.
- Myrtle’s sister tells Nick that Myrtle and Tom both hate their spouses and that the only reason why Tom can’t divorce Daisy is because she’s catholic
- Myrtle then recalls how disappointed she was when she found out her husband borrowed a suit for his wedding day
- We learn that Myrtle and Tom met on the train
- Tom tells Myrtle to stop saying Daisy’s name. Myrtle, refuses, repeating “Daisy, Daisy, Daisy,” and then Tom punches her
- Nick leaves the party with Mr. Mckee and there is a weird moment in the elevator
- Next thing Nick remembers is waiting, half asleep, for 4 a.m. train home
- This chapter is so important because we start to see a difference in social classes
Chapter 2 Summary
In The Great Gatsby, there's a desolate area between West Egg and New York called the Valley of Ashes, where ashes from the city are dumped. The eyes of Dr. T.J. Eckleburg, on a billboard, watch over this bleak place. One day, Tom Buchanan takes Nick to George Wilson’s garage, where Tom’s mistress, Myrtle, is married to George. Tom, Nick, and Myrtle head to New York, where they have a chaotic party. Myrtle becomes increasingly obnoxious, and when she mentions Tom’s wife, Daisy, Tom reacts violently, breaking her nose. Nick leaves, drunk, and returns to Long Island.
Chapter 3
- Gatsby’s lavish party: Nick attends one of Gatsby's famous parties and feels out of place among the wealthy, unknown guests.
- Rumors about Gatsby: Guests gossip about Gatsby, with wild stories about his background (spy, murderer, etc.).
- Nick meets Jordan: He reconnects with Jordan Baker, who hints at Gatsby’s mysterious past.
- Gatsby's luxury: The party is extravagant—Rolls-Royce, endless food, music, and drunken guests.
- Nick meets Gatsby: Nick discovers that Gatsby is the polite, formal man he met earlier at the party, calling everyone "old sport."
- Gatsby’s behavior: Gatsby doesn’t drink or get involved in the party, standing aloof, watching his guests.
- Owl Eyes: Nick encounters a drunken man named Owl Eyes, who is amazed by Gatsby’s fake-looking books.
- Nick's everyday life: Nick briefly describes his life in New York, including his work and his growing relationship with Jordan.
- Nick’s reflection on honesty: Though he sees Jordan as dishonest, he still feels attracted to her, despite considering himself "one of the few honest people."
Chapter 3 Summary
Nick attends one of Gatsby’s extravagant parties, where the guests gossip about their mysterious host, Jay Gatsby. The party is full of luxury and excess, with rumors flying about Gatsby's past—some say he’s a German spy or a murderer. Nick eventually meets Gatsby, who is formal, polite, and doesn't drink, staying somewhat aloof from the revelry. After the party, Nick witnesses a drunken Owl Eyes crashing a car and continues to reflect on his life. He also starts seeing Jordan Baker, despite knowing she's dishonest, and is drawn to her despite her flaws.
Chapter 4
- Nick's POV: Nick lists the guests at Gatsby’s party, many of whom he doesn’t recognize, highlighting Gatsby's mysterious social circle
- Nick’s Invitation: Gatsby invites Nick to lunch, signaling a shift in their relationship. Nick is still curious about Gatsby's background
- Gatsby’s Past: Gatsby reveals pieces of his past to Nick, claiming to be from a wealthy family in the Midwest, educated at Oxford, and that he inherited his fortune. This is a bit suspicious to Nick
- Jordan’s Story: Jordan Baker explains to Nick that Gatsby and Daisy were in love before Daisy married Tom, and Gatsby has been pining for her ever since
- Tom's Connection: Nick runs into Tom Buchanan during the lunch with Gatsby, and Tom’s disdain for Gatsby becomes apparent
- Mysterious Background: Nick is still unsure if Gatsby’s story is entirely true or if he’s embellishing details
- Gatsby's Car: Gatsby’s luxury car (which Nick describes as “monstrous”) represents Gatsby’s wealth but also contributes to his mystique
- Nick’s Impressions: Nick feels both fascinated and a little wary of Gatsby. Gatsby is polite, but there's a sense of something being hidden
Chapter 4 Summary
Nick lists the wealthy guests at Gatsby’s parties and then goes with Gatsby to New York, where Gatsby tells him an unbelievable story about his past—claiming to be from a wealthy family, educated at Oxford, and decorated in war. Gatsby also introduces Nick to Meyer Wolfsheim, a shady character linked to organized crime, which raises suspicions about the source of Gatsby’s wealth. Later, Jordan reveals to Nick that Gatsby is still in love with Daisy, whom he met before the war. Gatsby bought his mansion to be near her, and now he wants Nick to arrange a secret meeting with Daisy, hoping to rekindle their past romance.
Chapter 5
- Gatsby is getting Nick’s house nice and cleaned up for Daisy
- Since Nick is doing this for Gatsby, Gatsby offered Nick a job, but Nick doesn’t accept the job because he thinks its probably a bad business
- As Nick wakes up he noticed all these people in his yard and Gatsby comes over and starts to decorate Nick’s house for Daisy
- Gatsby was very nervous and we see him very anxious
- Gatsby truly loves Daisy and is afraid to mess up
- The reason why Gatsby got all the flowers and it symbolizes his wealth and his desire to win Daisy back
- When Gatsby was in the rain, it symbolizes rebirth and cleansing
- When Gatsby came in the room and Daisy saw Gatsby, Daisy had mix feelings and she was surprise, shock, and then overwhelming joy, it clearly shows that Daisy is still deeply affected by her past love for him
- When Gatsby drop the clock it symbolizes something; it symbolizes time and he wants to go back in time
- The rain stopped and now we have sunshine after Daisy and Gatsby were talking
- Gatsby asked Nick and Daisy to come to Gatsby’s mansion to show it to them
- Daisy’s reaction the his mansion is that she loves it and is in shock
- Gatsby has the american dream but he’s missing Daisy and his only obstacle is Tom which is Daisy’s husband
Chapter 5 Summary
Chapter 6
Chapter 6 Summary
Chapter 7
- Very hot hot hot summer day; meaning bad things are about the happen
- Daisy invited Gatsby over for lunch while Tom is there
- Daisy starts to get upset and asked who wanted to go to the town, but Tom didn’t like that idea at first
- Gatsby came over to Daisy and calmed her down and help her out with her cigarette, then Tom got jealous and also decide to go to town but Daisy changed her mind
- They had to stop in the valley of the ashes to get some gas and then thats when Wilson told Tom that they will be moving up west and Wilson found out the Mrytle was cheating on him so thats why Wilson wants to move
- Mrytle died from getting hit by Gatsby car (yellow car) that everyone thinks Gatsby actually Daisy was driving the car
- She thought Tom was driving the car so thats why she ran out outside to the car
Chapter 7 Summary
Chapter 8
- Gatsby gets shot and died by George Wilson and Wilson killed himself