The Great Gatsby: Book Summary

1. Introduction to Nick Carraway and West Egg

The novel is narrated by Nick Carraway, a young man from the Midwest who moves to West Egg, Long Island, in the summer of 1922 to work in the bond business. Nick rents a small house next to a luxurious mansion owned by the mysterious Jay Gatsby. Across the bay in East Egg live Nick’s cousin, Daisy Buchanan, and her wealthy, arrogant husband, Tom. Nick describes himself as someone who reserves judgment, which makes him a confidant for many of the characters in the story.

Nick visits Daisy and Tom at their mansion, where he meets Jordan Baker, a professional golfer and Daisy’s friend. During the visit, Tom makes racist remarks and reveals his affair with Myrtle Wilson, a woman from the "valley of ashes," a desolate area between West Egg and New York City. This introduction sets the stage for the themes of wealth, class, and moral decay that permeate the novel.

2. The Valley of Ashes and Tom’s Affair

Nick accompanies Tom to New York City, where they stop at a garage in the valley of ashes owned by George Wilson, Myrtle’s husband. Tom secretly arranges to meet Myrtle, and they take Nick to a small apartment in the city that Tom keeps for their affair. The party at the apartment is wild and chaotic, filled with heavy drinking and loud arguments. Myrtle, emboldened by her relationship with Tom, becomes increasingly vulgar and domineering.

The scene highlights the moral corruption of the wealthy elite, as Tom flaunts his affair without regard for Daisy or George. Myrtle’s desire to escape her dreary life in the valley of ashes mirrors the larger theme of the American Dream and its unattainability for many.

3. Gatsby’s Lavish Parties

Nick receives an invitation to one of Jay Gatsby’s extravagant parties, which are the talk of West Egg. The parties are filled with celebrities, socialites, and bootleggers, all drawn to Gatsby’s wealth and charisma. At the party, Nick meets Gatsby for the first time, though he doesn’t realize it at first. Gatsby is a handsome, enigmatic man with a warm smile and a mysterious past.

Nick also reconnects with Jordan Baker, who reveals that Gatsby is in love with Daisy and that his parties are an attempt to attract her attention. Gatsby’s obsession with Daisy becomes a central focus of the novel, as his wealth and extravagant lifestyle are all part of his effort to win her back.

4. Gatsby’s Past and His Plan

Gatsby takes Nick to lunch in New York City, where he introduces him to Meyer Wolfsheim, a shady businessman with connections to organized crime. Wolfsheim’s presence hints at the source of Gatsby’s wealth, which is later revealed to be tied to bootlegging and other illegal activities.

Jordan Baker tells Nick the story of Gatsby and Daisy’s past. Five years earlier, Gatsby and Daisy had been in love, but Gatsby was poor and went off to war. Daisy eventually married Tom Buchanan, and Gatsby has spent the years since amassing wealth in the hope of winning her back. Gatsby asks Nick to arrange a meeting between him and Daisy, which Nick reluctantly agrees to do.

5. Gatsby and Daisy’s Reunion

Nick invites Daisy to his house for tea, where she is reunited with Gatsby. The meeting is initially awkward, but Gatsby’s nervousness and Daisy’s emotional reaction reveal the depth of their feelings for each other. Gatsby shows Daisy his mansion and his extravagant possessions, hoping to impress her and rekindle their romance.

The reunion marks a turning point in the novel, as Gatsby’s dream of winning Daisy back seems within reach. However, the tension between Gatsby and Tom begins to build, setting the stage for the novel’s tragic climax.

6. Tensions Rise Between Gatsby and Tom

Tom becomes increasingly suspicious of Gatsby and Daisy’s relationship. At a gathering at the Buchanan mansion, tensions come to a head. Gatsby insists that Daisy never loved Tom and that she will leave him, but Daisy is unable to fully commit to Gatsby. Tom exposes Gatsby’s criminal activities, undermining his credibility and causing Daisy to retreat.

The confrontation reveals the fragility of Gatsby’s dream and the moral decay of the characters. Despite his wealth and charm, Gatsby cannot escape his past or the reality of Daisy’s marriage to Tom.

7. The Tragic Climax

The group drives back to New York City, with Daisy and Gatsby in one car and Tom, Nick, and Jordan in another. On the way, they stop at the garage in the valley of ashes, where George Wilson is distraught over his wife’s affair. Myrtle, seeing Gatsby’s car, runs out into the road and is struck and killed. Unbeknownst to George, it is Daisy who was driving the car, though Gatsby takes the blame to protect her.

George, consumed by grief and anger, seeks revenge. He tracks down Gatsby and shoots him before taking his own life. Gatsby’s death is a tragic end to his dream of reuniting with Daisy, and it underscores the emptiness and corruption of the American Dream.

8. The Aftermath and Nick’s Reflection

Nick is left to arrange Gatsby’s funeral, which is sparsely attended. None of Gatsby’s wealthy acquaintances, including Daisy and Tom, show up. Nick reflects on Gatsby’s life and the emptiness of his dream. He realizes that Gatsby’s wealth and parties were all an attempt to recapture the past and win Daisy’s love, but in the end, they were meaningless.

Nick also reflects on the moral decay of the East Coast elite, contrasting it with the values of the Midwest. He decides to return home, disillusioned with the world of wealth and privilege.

Key Themes and Takeaways

• The American Dream: Gatsby’s pursuit of wealth and status represents the illusion of the American Dream, which is ultimately unattainable and hollow.
• Wealth and Class: The novel explores the divide between old money (East Egg) and new money (West Egg), as well as the moral corruption of the wealthy elite.
• Love and Obsession: Gatsby’s obsession with Daisy drives the plot, but his love is ultimately one-sided and destructive.
• Moral Decay: The characters’ actions reveal the emptiness and corruption beneath the surface of wealth and glamour.

Conclusion

The Great Gatsby is a poignant exploration of the American Dream and the moral decay of the Jazz Age. Through its richly drawn characters and tragic plot, the novel critiques the emptiness of wealth and the illusion of reinvention. Gatsby’s story serves as a cautionary tale about the dangers of obsession and the impossibility of recapturing the past.

FAQ

1. What is the main theme of The Great Gatsby?

The main theme of The Great Gatsby is the corruption of the American Dream. The novel explores how the pursuit of wealth and status leads to moral decay and emptiness.

2. Who is Jay Gatsby?

Jay Gatsby is the protagonist of the novel, a wealthy and mysterious man who throws extravagant parties in an attempt to win back his lost love, Daisy Buchanan.

3. What is the significance of the green light in the novel?

The green light at the end of Daisy’s dock symbolizes Gatsby’s hopes and dreams for the future, particularly his desire to reunite with Daisy. It also represents the unattainable nature of the American Dream.

4. Why does Gatsby throw lavish parties?

Gatsby throws lavish parties in the hope that Daisy will attend one of them. His parties are a way to attract her attention and demonstrate his wealth and status.

5. What is the valley of ashes?

The valley of ashes is a desolate area between West Egg and New York City. It symbolizes the moral and social decay that results from the pursuit of wealth and the indifference of the wealthy elite.