The Great Gatsby

Gatsby Chapter 1: Notes…

The first chapter of Gatsby seems to define the novel as a whole and stands slightly apart from the

rest in terms of delivering the ‘plot’. What it does deliver is a wealth of information about character

and setting which must be borne in mind as we read on.

Only Gatsby himself is absent, if we the lone figure seen in the last two paragraphs, but the reader is

not ready, yet, to meet the figure at the centre of the book – Nick goes indoors without speaking to

him.

Fitzgerald is clear about his feelings regarding the ‘Jazz Age’. He wrote this in 1931 in the book

‘Echoes of the jazz Age’: ‘It was an age of miracles, it was an age of art, it was an age of excess, and

it was an age of satire… As far back as 1915the unchaperoned young people of the smaller cities has

discovered the mobile privacy of that automobile given to ‘young Bill’… But petting in its more

audacious manifestations was confined to the wealthier classes… Only in 1920 did the veil fall – the

Jazz Age was in flower… This was the generation whose girls dramatized themselves as flappers, the

generation that corrupted its elders and eventually overreached itself less through a lack of morals as

through a lack of teste’. As we read the book, we would do well to recall these sentiments.

The novel opens with the voice of the narrator – Nick Carraway – and Fitzgerald dispenses straight

away with any sense of an omniscient overview by having Nick claim authorship from the outset – he

will occasionally address the reader on the difficulties of memory and writing this tale as the book

continues. All First Person Narrators are unreliable, but Nick is more complex. There is a split in his

personality which is reflected in all he writes. He seems both pompous and self-aware: he is proud of

reserving criticism since ‘not all the people have had the advantages’ which he has had, in his

father’s words, and is able to both be critical of Gatsby, who embodies ‘everything for which I have

an unaffected scorn’ and also ‘an extraordinary gift for hope, a romantic readiness such as I have

never found in any other person and which it is not likely I shall find again’. This ambiguity will colour

all the relationships he describes in the book – with the possible exception of his feelings about Tom

Buchanan.

The unreliability is enhanced by the Time shifts in the novel. At the start, Carraway is narrating in

‘real time’ that is 1924, the date of the writing of the novel. The events of ‘that summer’ are the

events of 1922 and further information in the text takes us steadily back to the Young Jimmy Gatz,

growing up and writing his list of ambitions in 1906. All these events are recalled with greater or

lesser clarity and either told to Nick, who tells the reader, or dredged from his own memory. Hardly

the recipe for clarity and precision.

Nick’s unreliability is also enhanced by his description of his background. Being a wealthy Mid-

Westerner he would be something of a parvenu into Eastern ‘society’ at the best of times, and

although he feels like an ‘original settler’ once he has given directions, he is not one. Not only that

but his family seems to be based on the deception and fraud of a great uncle who avoided the Civil

War and begin to chase profit instead. Unlike his great uncle, Nick went to war – he calls it rather

pretentiously, the ‘great Teutonic migration’ as though to lessen the clear difference between the

two and served his country well to a world which seemed too cramped. This has prompted his move

East – to seek profit in New York.

Setting:

1) The Mid-West

From his brief biography, there is a clear sense in which the Mid West provides stability and a moral

core, whilst New York is a city of danger and unscrupulous behaviour. Nick’s future is discussed by an

extended family and all decisions are made in line with the ‘fundamental decencies’ to which he

alludes at the beginning of the book. His uncles purchase of a ‘substitute’ for the Civil War – fought

on a highest moral grounds; the abolition of slavery – suggests however that Nick will not be too out

of place in New York. Self-interest has a place in his family. That said, it is clear that the Mid-West is

a place of security and certainty to which Nick escapes after the events described in the book. He,

Tom, Jordan, Daisy and Gatsby are all Mid-Westerners and each will show their own response to the

ambiguities of the sort outlined above as the book develops.

2) East Egg : West Egg

IN 1922 the Fitzgeralds moved to the peninsula of Great Neck, Long Island. Their home was,

relatively, modest and overlooked by Old Money in the form of houses of Guggenheims and Astors

on another peninsula stretching out into Manhasset Bay. This is the world of the reinvented East and

West Egg – Old Money and established families on the East with the newer incomers of all sorts on

the West. Gatsby lives in West Egg – fitting for a boy from the Mid-West – since he is all new money.

No matter how much he has, he will always be ‘Mr Nobody from Nowhere’ as Tom says later in the

novel – breeding is about location as well as about family.

The ‘Eggs’ pose a question: what has hatched from the pristine wilderness discovered by Columbus

and his men? The land has been ‘sivilised’ (as Huck Finn, the great Mid-Western boy) and what is the

result? Is it all self-aggrandisement, colossal wealth and greed, use and misuse of power derived

from money, or is there something else? The spirit of persistence, of romantic pursuit of the

(un)attainable and the hope for the rediscovery of something lost just out of reach are the qualities

which drove the pioneers to push the Frontier ever Westwards. We see this reimagined in Gatsby’s

pursuit of his ‘Grail’: Daisy. To Nick, there is a ‘sinister contrast’ between the two Eggs, yet in

Chapter one he notes that ‘their physical resemblance must be a source of perpetual wonder to the

gulls that fly overhead’. To him, one of the ‘wingless’ the focus is purely on the differences. It’s a

matter of perspective.

3) Homes on the Eggs.

The Hotel de Ville: In what Nick calls ‘one of the strangest communities in North America’ stands

Gatsby’s mansion. This is a ‘factual imitation’ of an Hotel de Ville from Normandy. That is, a very

public building, not a home in any sense of the word. It is a façade erected to impress and to be seen

and it looks out across its lawns towards the altogether ‘purer’ houses of East Egg. We later learn

that it was built by a wealthy brewer who fancied himself as lord of the manor and wished to create

a false world around him, complete with thatched cottages and serfs. He failed in his endeavours. It

is new and trying to conceal the fact under its ‘thin beard of ivy’ as it competes with the Old M<oney

across the water. Much will be revealed in the later chapters about the interiors. At this stage,

Fitzgerald keeps the reader waiting.

The Glittering White Palace: Whilst we wait to see inside Gatsby’s mansion, we see Tom’s in great

clarity and it is designed to reflect its inhabitants. It too is an imitation, being built in Georgian

Colonial style which immediately puts us in mind of the White House – seat of government and

surprisingly modest in proportion – on a vast scale. This is house which screams money and power to

all who regard it. There’s great movement in the description of a lawn which ‘ran towards the front

door for a quarter of a mile, jumping over sundials and brick walls and burning gardens’ before

‘drifting’ to a halt and allowing us to see Tom Buchanan ‘in riding clothes… standing with his legs

apart on the front porch’. Add in the ‘reflected gold’ from the French windows and we have little

other than some form of deity welcoming us to his home.

In contrast, the women are found in the seemingly gentler ‘bright rosy-coloured space’ of the

drawing room, though any femininity of this description is soon destroyed as Tom takes control of

his space with a great ‘boom’ as he shuts the windows – trapping the two women who have been

likened to birds ‘blown back after a short flight around the house’ and exercising his complete

control.

The whole echoes the characters of the owners (and Jordan). Nick is fascinated and entranced by the

house and the way that its natural light can enhance the impression made by, especially, Daisy. All is

‘rosy-coloured’, ‘crimson… bloomed with light’, there is brilliant ‘gold’ sunshine and serves to reflect

the luxury and wealth of the very wealthy. We are shown the public rooms – the rooms which

enhance only in Chapter VII will we see the kitchen – the inner spaces where deals are done which

do not reflect well on the participants.

Characters

1) Tom Buchanan

From his first appearance, ‘in riding clothes… standing with his legs apart on the front porch’ it is

clear who is in control and wishes to be seen as such. Nick has already prepared us for the all-

American sporting hero, yet one with limits, as Nick describes: ‘one of those men who reach such an

acute limited excellence at twenty one that everything afterwards savours of anti-climax. (Nick,

remember is trying not to be too judgemental…). His journey to the East, after a year of pointless

extravagance in Europe, has been made possible by money and his immense wealth (seen in the

polo ponies and the extravagant necklace given as a wedding present) has at once bought him a

place at the top table.

From the outset Nick betrays his opinions – Tom is variously ‘hard (mouth)’, ‘supercilious’ with

‘shining arrogant eyes’, has ‘dominance’ and leans ‘aggressively forward’. He has ‘enormous power’

in a ‘cruel body’ and he will use this physique to bully and cajole whether hurting Daisy’s finger,

breaking Myrtle’s nose or by the way he ‘compelled’ Nick from the room ‘as though … moving a

checker to another square’.

His intellect is criticised also. He shows signs of an incipient fascism when he extols the virtues of the

book ‘The rise of the coloured empires’ which, he says, is ‘scientific stuff; it’s been proved’. Whilst he

seeks to justify his ideas, the women tease him gently and Nick tells us that ‘there was something

pathetic in his concentration’. He is saved at this stage by the telephone – the respite is brief

because this is Myrtle, Tom’s mistress and it is Jordan who lets Nick in on the ‘secret’ of Tom’s ‘girl in

New York’. The second time she calls, Daisy lets Tom know that he cannot answer the phone. All

are embarrassed and the evening swiftly concludes. It is at this point that Daisy is described as

wishing her daughter to be a ‘little fool’ prior to Nick’s departure.

Overview

The Great Gatsby - Chapter 1 Notes

Chapter 1 of The Great Gatsby introduces key themes and characters, including Nick Carraway and Jay Gatsby. It explores the setting of the Jazz Age, highlighting the contrasts between East Egg and West Egg. The chapter sets the stage for the unfolding drama of wealth, love, and societal expectations. Readers will gain insights into Nick's perspective and the complexities of his relationships with Gatsby, Tom Buchanan, and Daisy. This analysis is essential for students studying F. Scott Fitzgerald's iconic novel. Key Points Introduces Nick Carraway as the unreliable narrator of The Great Gatsby Explores the themes of wealth and class distinction in the Jazz Age Highlights the contrasting settings of East Egg and West Egg Sets the stage for the complex relationships between…

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FAQs

What are the key themes introduced in Chapter 1 of The Great Gatsby?

Chapter 1 of The Great Gatsby introduces several key themes, including the contrast between the Mid-West and East Coast. The Mid-West is depicted as a place of stability and moral core, while New York represents danger and unscrupulous behavior. Fitzgerald also explores the notion of the American Dream, highlighting the excesses and moral decay of the Jazz Age. The chapter sets the stage for the exploration of wealth, class distinctions, and the pursuit of unattainable dreams, particularly through the character of Gatsby.

How does Nick Carraway describe Tom Buchanan in Chapter 1?

Nick Carraway describes Tom Buchanan as a physically imposing figure with 'enormous power' and a 'cruel body.' He notes Tom's 'hard mouth' and 'supercilious' demeanor, indicating Tom's arrogance and dominance. Nick observes that Tom seems to embody the worst traits of the wealthy elite, including a lack of intellect and a sense of entitlement. This characterization sets up Tom as a central antagonist in the novel, representing the moral decay and prejudice of the upper class.

What is Nick's perspective on Gatsby in Chapter 1?

In Chapter 1, Nick Carraway expresses a complex perspective on Gatsby. He acknowledges Gatsby's 'extraordinary gift for hope' and romantic readiness, which he admires, yet he also feels a sense of 'unaffected scorn' for what Gatsby represents. Nick's ambivalence highlights the duality of Gatsby's character as both a hopeful dreamer and an outsider, often referred to as 'Mr. Nobody from Nowhere.' This complexity foreshadows the deeper exploration of Gatsby's character throughout the novel.

What significance does the setting of East Egg and West Egg hold in Chapter 1?

In Chapter 1, East Egg and West Egg symbolize the divide between old money and new money. East Egg represents established wealth and social status, while West Egg is home to the newly rich, like Gatsby. This distinction is crucial as it underscores the social hierarchies and prejudices present in the novel. Gatsby's residence in West Egg signifies his outsider status, despite his wealth, and sets the stage for the conflicts that arise from class distinctions throughout the story.

How does Fitzgerald characterize Daisy Buchanan in Chapter 1?

Daisy Buchanan is characterized in Chapter 1 as a beautiful yet complex figure. Nick describes her as having a 'thrilling' voice that captivates those around her, suggesting her charm and allure. However, her demeanor also reveals a sense of sadness and disillusionment, particularly when she expresses a desire for her daughter to be a 'beautiful little fool.' This duality highlights Daisy's struggle within the constraints of her privileged life and foreshadows her role in the larger narrative of the novel.

What role does Nick Carraway play as a narrator in Chapter 1?

Nick Carraway serves as the first-person narrator in Chapter 1, providing a subjective lens through which the story unfolds. He claims authorship of the narrative and often reflects on the complexities of memory and perception. His background as a wealthy Midwesterner gives him a unique perspective on the East Coast elite, allowing him to critique their behaviors while also expressing his own ambivalence. This narrative style establishes Nick as both an observer and participant in the events of the novel.