Nick's New Beginnings

Nick Carraway, a Yale graduate and World War I veteran, moves to West Egg, Long Island, to learn the bond business. He rents a modest house next to the opulent mansion of the mysterious Jay Gatsby. Nick reconnects with his cousin Daisy Buchanan and her wealthy, arrogant husband Tom in the more fashionable East Egg. During a visit, Nick learns of Tom's affair with Myrtle Wilson, a married woman. Despite the superficial glamour, Nick senses the moral decay beneath the surface of his new social circle.

Gatsby's Lavish Parties

Jay Gatsby, known for his lavish parties, remains an enigma to his guests, who speculate about his past. Nick receives a personal invitation to one of these grand events, where he finally meets Gatsby, a charming and enigmatic man. Gatsby's parties are filled with the rich and famous, yet he remains aloof, watching from a distance. Nick learns that Gatsby is in love with Daisy and has been throwing these parties in hopes of seeing her again.

Daisy's Dilemma

Gatsby reveals to Nick that he and Daisy were once in love before he went to war. Daisy married Tom while Gatsby was away, believing he could never provide for her. Gatsby's wealth and mansion are part of his plan to win Daisy back. Nick arranges a reunion at his house, where Gatsby and Daisy rekindle their romance. However, Daisy is torn between her love for Gatsby and her life with Tom, leading to tension and uncertainty.

The Green Light

The green light at the end of Daisy's dock symbolizes Gatsby's hope and dreams for a future with her. It represents the idealized vision of Daisy and the life he longs for but can never fully attain. This light becomes a poignant symbol of the American Dream, highlighting the gap between reality and aspiration. Gatsby's relentless pursuit of this dream ultimately defines his character and foreshadows his tragic fate.

Confrontation in the City

On a sweltering day, Tom, Daisy, Gatsby, Nick, and Jordan Baker head to New York City. In a tense confrontation at the Plaza Hotel, Gatsby demands Daisy admit she never loved Tom. Daisy hesitates, torn between her past with Gatsby and her present with Tom. The confrontation reveals the deep cracks in their relationships, leading to a heated argument. Daisy ultimately chooses Tom, leaving Gatsby devastated and clinging to his shattered dream.

Tragic Consequences

As the group returns from the city, Daisy, driving Gatsby's car, accidentally hits and kills Myrtle Wilson. Tom, seizing the opportunity, tells Myrtle's husband, George, that Gatsby owns the car. Consumed by grief and rage, George believes Gatsby is Myrtle's lover and her killer. He tracks Gatsby to his mansion, where he shoots him before taking his own life. Gatsby's death marks the end of his dream and the unraveling of the lives around him.

The Dream's End

In the aftermath, Nick is disillusioned by the shallow, careless nature of the Buchanans and their circle. He arranges Gatsby's funeral, attended by few, and learns more about Gatsby's humble beginnings and his relentless pursuit of wealth to win Daisy. Nick returns to the Midwest, reflecting on the American Dream's corruption and the futility of Gatsby's aspirations. The green light, once a symbol of hope, now represents the unattainable past.

Characters

Nick Carraway

Nick is the novel's narrator, providing a window into the world of the wealthy elite. His Midwestern values contrast with the moral decay he witnesses in East Egg. As he becomes entangled in Gatsby's world, Nick's initial admiration turns to disillusionment. He is both a participant and a critic, ultimately rejecting the superficiality of the East and returning to his roots.

Jay Gatsby

Gatsby is a self-made millionaire known for his extravagant parties. His wealth is a means to an end: winning back Daisy Buchanan, his lost love. Gatsby's idealism and relentless pursuit of the American Dream make him both admirable and tragic. His mysterious past and illegal activities underscore the novel's themes of illusion and reality.

Daisy Buchanan

Daisy is Nick's cousin and the object of Gatsby's obsession. Beautiful and charming, she is trapped in a loveless marriage with Tom Buchanan. Daisy's indecision and desire for security lead to Gatsby's downfall. Her voice, described as "full of money," symbolizes the allure and corruption of wealth.

Tom Buchanan

Tom is Daisy's wealthy, aggressive husband. He is unfaithful and racist, representing the moral decay of the upper class. Tom's sense of entitlement and need for control drive the novel's central conflict. His actions ultimately lead to Gatsby's tragic end.

Jordan Baker

Jordan is a professional golfer and Daisy's friend. She is involved with Nick but remains emotionally detached. Her dishonesty and cynicism reflect the novel's themes of moral ambiguity and the corrupting influence of wealth.

Myrtle Wilson

Myrtle is Tom's mistress, trapped in a loveless marriage with George Wilson. Her desire for a better life leads to her tragic death. Myrtle's fate highlights the novel's critique of the American Dream and the destructive power of ambition.

George Wilson

George is Myrtle's husband, a mechanic in the Valley of Ashes. His discovery of Myrtle's affair and her subsequent death drive him to madness and murder. George's character underscores the novel's themes of despair and the consequences of unfulfilled dreams.

Plot Devices

The Green Light

The green light at the end of Daisy's dock represents Gatsby's hopes and dreams for a future with her. It symbolizes the broader theme of the American Dream and the gap between aspiration and reality. The light's elusiveness highlights the futility of Gatsby's quest and the novel's critique of idealism.

The Valley of Ashes

The Valley of Ashes is a desolate wasteland between West Egg and New York City. It symbolizes the moral and social decay resulting from the uninhibited pursuit of wealth. The valley's bleakness contrasts with the opulence of the Eggs, underscoring the novel's themes of corruption and the dark side of the American Dream.

Gatsby's Parties

Gatsby's extravagant parties are a key plot device, symbolizing the excess and superficiality of the Jazz Age. They serve as a backdrop for the novel's exploration of illusion versus reality. The parties attract a mix of characters, revealing the emptiness of Gatsby's world and the hollowness of his dream.

Analysis

"The Great Gatsby" is a profound critique of the American Dream, exploring themes of wealth, class, and the pursuit of happiness. Fitzgerald portrays the dream as corrupted by materialism and moral decay, embodied in the characters' lives. Gatsby's tragic end underscores the futility of chasing an idealized past. The novel's rich symbolism, including the green light and the Valley of Ashes, highlights the disparity between illusion and reality. Through Nick's disillusionment, Fitzgerald questions the values of a society obsessed with wealth and status, offering a timeless reflection on the human condition.