Chapter 1, pages 1-21

Summary

     In the first chapter of The Great Gatsby we are introduced to Nick Carraway; alumnus of New Haven, veteran of the Great War and inhabitant of West Egg. He tells us (vaguely) of his neighbor, Mr. Gatsby, and his extravagant house. We are also given a glimpse of the differences (though few) of East and West egg, the people that live in both Eggs and the type of writing being published in that time. As the chapter progresses, Nick presents 3 other characters to us: Jordan Baker and Tom and Daisy Buchanan. Daisy is Nick's cousin and she lives on East Egg with her husband Tom and baby daughter. We find out that Tom has a woman in New York and that Jordan is a competative golfer. 

Character Analysis  

• Tom Buchanan 
• "It was a body capable of enormous leverage - a cruel body."
• Tom's Best Qualities: 
• He had been one of the most powerful ends that ever played football at New Haven
• He is married to Daisy Buchanan
• He is strong/muscular
• He likes Nick 
• Tom's Bad Qualities: 
• He is extremely arrogant
• He is wealthy and shows it 
• He abuses Daisy
• He is cheating on Daisy with a woman from New York
• He lives in the past, constantly dwelling on his football years
• He is racist
•  Tom's role in the novel is to show us the general high society male of the time: rude, insensitive, arrogant, abusive and a hypocrite. He is portrayed as Nick's polar opposite. I also believe that Tom's role in the novel is an example for readers of how not to live and be. His irritability and lack of morals prove his lack of friends in his college years along with his pompous and elitist ideals.

Important Quote & Significance

     " And as I walked on I was lonely no longer. I was a guide, a pathfinder, an original settler." 

This quote stood out to me because of its versatility. It can be understood in many ways to everyone. Along from it explaining Nick's successful fit into his neighborhood in West Egg and its presentation of his strength and independence, it can also exemplify our struggle in life to find a place where we fit in and be truly happy.