The Great Gatsby Chapter 1 Summary

How does F. Scott Fitzgerald tell the story in chapter 1 of The Great Gatsby?

In chapter one of ‘The Great Gatsby’ Fitzgerald introduces us to the narrator, also a character within the book, Nick Carraway. The first chapters written with great intension, started with a quote, a life lesson of Carraway’s. Fitzgerald does this in the way a tale but also a speech may be told, stating Carraway’s ground within the book, that he’s the knowing one and the one who supposedly can tell it most truthfully as he’s “inclined to reserve all judgements”.

We’re introduced to almost all of the main characters from the book within this chapter; we first meet the main character being Nick Carraway. We learn straight off he’s a man, who’s had opportunities, making him a snobbish man which he knows, but also a liar to which he doesn’t. He mentions he
reserves all judgments, however shortly after and during, mentioning his quality he says young men “are usually plagiaristic and marred by obvious suppressions” judging people, in a stereotypical light.
We then meet Daisy and Jordan “two young women”. Daisy’s seen as a flirtatious character, with her “charming little laugh”. We’re introduced to her like this girly, friendly person to juxtapose with her other half and father of her child tom. As toms an arrogant man who intimidates Carraway with his direct authority, when influencing caraways movements. Toms the antagonist within the book enabling the change in atmosphere suddenly and strongly. Fitzgerald has him comment on “civilisation’s going to pieces” and being racist to show how he sees himself on a pedestal, whilst displaying his crude personality, which can cut atmospheres. This is could also be looked at as if it was
written to mean something much wider, as before the atmosphere was almost dreamlike which was cut to a much darker one. Representing their lives in that era, acting happy and joyful on the surface but underneath the reality is rather nasty and sinister. Fitzgerald introduces Jordan as a rather reserved character in this part of the play, ‘motionless’ and silent. He does this to give her mystery but also to make it seem as if she has information and knowledge others don’t, by the way she looks to be so at ease lay showing off her beauty in a superior way.
However, unlike most novels we don’t meet the main character of Gatsby until later on in chapter 3. This is something so unusual but inelegant as, Gatsby’s the name of this book giving him greatness before even considering the full title. Fitzgerald has done this to include as part of the book, as we become so intrigued with who he is making us just as agitated to meet him like Nick himself.

Daisy says another quote further on in this chapter, which sums up her character, but really shows how Fitzgerald wants us to perceive her purpose and see why situations are and come about due to the convenience of things. “-that’s the best thing a girl can be in this world, a beautiful little fool” it’s clear the comment she says about her daughter is indirect about her, as Fitzgerald wants us to understand her actions within the play, but also see that she’s satisfied with it. I think the use of “girl”, is a way of showing they don’t have to grow up and enter the real world and see the harshness of it as its their beauty that will provide for them, as it will get them the well off men who can look after them with every need, and provide them with what they think they want. Like a “girl” there’s no desire for real love or companionship or to even have trust it’s about getting what you want and being looked after, and this is what I think Fitzgerald is trying to portray. He uses the word “fool” but I think this can be looked at ironically as Daisy so obviously knows her actions as she wishes them for her daughter whilst saying it’s the best thing she is. Plus it also shows she knows that being beautiful will get her a man who’s able to provide for her, but being foolish and ignoring his actions will make him stay, which in a way is her providing for herself without the cruelty of the real world.