Summary Of 'The Great Gatsby'

The 1920s in America, known as the "Roaring Twenties", was a time of celebration after a destructive war. It was a period of time in America characterised by prosperity and optimism. There was a general feeling of disruption associated with modernity and a break with traditions.The Roaring Twenties was a time of great economic prosperity and many people became rich and wealthy. Some people inherited "old money" and some obtained "new money". However, there was the other side of prosperity and many people also suffered the nightmare of being poor. In the novel,The Great Gatsby by F. Scott Fitzgerald, Jay Gatsby is portrayed as a wealthy character

Dreams are a compelling force in people’s lives. They are what propel them forward each and every day in an effort to reach something better. The American Dream has been sought after by millions all over the world for hundreds of years. This country was founded on the belief that anyone could achieve their dreams. However, in the 1920s these hopes and aspirations began to splinter until they ultimately shattered. In the novel, The Great Gatsby, F. Scott Fitzgerald uses symbolism, setting, and theme to depict the unattainability of the American Dream.

In The Great Gatsby, the author, F Scott Fitzgerald depicts the post - war roaring 20’s, a time of overwhelming prosperity and a new found sense of hope for the future. While this novel is often perceived as a romance, it is also a criticism on the devastating nature of the elusive american dream. The story of Jay Gatsby is a representation of what had become the values of the individual at the time. With the progression of the early 1920’s the vision of the perfect life, or the american dream, had been skewed. It was replaced with greed, and an abundance of reckless spending in which the wealthier individuals placed their misguided ideas of happiness. In the Great Gatsby F. Scott Fitzgerald chooses to expose the hidden truth behind the illustrious concept of the American dream. Through his use of literary devices such as, symbolism, metaphor, and, irony the central idea of the truly unattainable American dream is supported throughout the novel.

Nick is a young man from Minnesota, who moves to New York. He rents a house in West Egg district of Long Island, a wealthy area populated by rich people. Nick’s next door neighbor is a mysterious man named Jay Gatsby. He lives in a gigantic Gothic mansion and throws parties every Saturday night. Nick goes to dinner at his cousin’s, Daisy Buchanan and her husband, Tom’s house. There he meets the beautiful Jordan Baker, with whom he falls in love. As the summer progresses, Nick gets an invitation to one of Gatsby’s parties. While there he encounters Jordan Baker and they meet Gatsby. Jay is a surprisingly young man who affects an English accent, has a remarkable smile, and calls everyone “old sport”. Gatsby tells Jordan that he knew Daisy in Louisville in 1917 and that he

This chapter starts out with the description of another part of New York known as the “Valley of Ashes.” This is the poverty side of New York and is noticeably poor since it's referred to such a name. We are introduced to another character named George Wilson and his wife Myrtle. Tom takes Nick to George Wilson's garage, which is located in the Valley of Ashes. By this we know that George Wilson is a poor man.Tom is cheating on his wife for Wilson's wife which is pretty absurd.Tom takes a visit to a party with Catherine, and brings Daisy Nick and Myrtle along with him. (Catherine and Myrtle are sisters). The group starts gossiping about Gatsby, while getting drunk. Myrtle then begins to annoy Tom because she keeps talking about his wife Daisy. This non-stop talk about

He goes to the party seeing there are being all around the giant mansion. As Nick asked people, he found out something strange. He noticed that out of all those people he was the only person to get an invite. As time passed, Nick had finally met the Great Gatsby. He looked way younger than thought he would be, seeing a completely different man than imagined. Daisy, Nick's cousin that still hasn't heard from Gatsby heard that he lives just right across the bay. The next weekend came by as Nick not knowing Daisy and Gatsby knew each other and Nick took her to the party. Nick found to like Gatsby as a great friend telling him, "You're worth the whole damn bunch put together."Gatsby and Nick became better friends. Again, Gatsby and Daisy then met again and saw love right away. This is when Gatsby completes his American Dream, He is rich, and now has the girl he loves with him. Daisy getting all the attention and anything she wants is able to love and live with him. As time goes by Tom starts to figure things out as he finds out they love each other. Gatsby was wanting her to tell tom the she loves Gatsby but she says she loves them both. They all get into an argument and Daisy runs to Gatsby car, as they're driving angrily Daisy hits and kills Tom's mistress running out into the road wanting a ride but doesn't stop. Then finding out whose vehicle it was they think it is Gatsby. The husband of the dead wife all drunk went to Gatsby's house and shot him dead then shot himself. Right then ended The Gatsby American Dream.

At the beginning of Chapter Four, Gatsby shows up at Nick 's door and tells him that they are having lunch in New York. On the way to lunch, Gatsby feels the need to clarify his past with Nick to make sure there is not any confusion about the topic. Nick, being suspicious of the fact that he was born into a wealthy Midwest family (in San Francisco) and educated at Oxford, "a family tradition", lets this go as a policeman pulls them over for speeding but lets them go after Gatsby shows the police a white card. Gatsby says that after touring Europe, he served, as a major in the military where he “tried very hard to die” but in his own words, “seemed to bear an enchanted life.” At lunch, Nick meets Meyer Wolfshiem, a professional gambler and the man rumored to have fixed the 1919 World Series. Nick also learns from Jordan Baker that in 1917, she met Daisy and an unknown military officer who watched Daisy 's every move. “The officer? Jay Gatsby.” However, Daisy 's parents didn 't approve, and she eventually moved to Tom, now her husband. Jordan tells Nick that on the day before her wedding to Tom, she broke down drunk reconsidering her decision but decided to go through with the wedding, though. The next April, Daisy and Tom had their girl. Gatsby still has an interest in Daisy. Apparently, it was not a coincidence that brought him to West Egg: He chose his house so that the house of his lost love would be just across the bay. Gatsby wishes that Nick invited Daisy over on an

When North America was first settled, the pioneers of our continent sought relief from their native lands. Where it would have been impossible for many of them to achieve prosperity and wealth, the new Western World enabled many of them to be successful on account of their dedication and work ethic alone. In F. Scott Fitzgerald’s “The Great Gatsby,” the state of this American Dream is depicted as it was in the 1920s. However, much has changed since this era, and today’s society has much evolved. In both epochs, the American Dream functions as a symbol of hope that promotes the personal advancement of many. However, in the 1920s the Dream was on the decline, whereas in the 2010s it has evolved to become an increasing reality. In both cases, the Dream plays an important role in the everyday lives of Western citizens. In the 1920s, the concept was impossible for most to attain. However, the Dream has evolved into a goal that can be achieved by an increasing number of people. In both time periods, the income gap between the wealthiest and poorest citizens is clear and convincing. However, in the 2010s, this has a mitigated impact on the average citizen due to social programming. While in both eras there is a somewhat of a distinction between sections of the continent, the divide between the East and the West is more pronounced in the 1920s. Modern

Nick stops by Gatsby’s house and is surprised to see Tom Buchanan there. Gatsby invites Tom and Mr. and Mrs. Sloane to stay for dinner but they refuse the offer. Therefore to be polite they invite Gatsby for dinner but what he doesn’t realize is the real purpose on why they are inviting him. Tom is staring to suspect on Daisy and Gatsby. On Saturday Tom and Daisy go to one of Gatsby’s party and keeps an eye on Daisy. At the party Tom tells Daisy the real reason why Gatsby was so wealthy and tells her that he sells illegal alcohol. Gatsby was very disappointed because Daisy hadn’t enjoyed the party and he decides to call off his parties. He fires his servants as well to prevent any rumors.

Nick gets invited to one of Gatsby’s parties and plans to attend the following Saturday. When he gets there he learns that he was the only person there to receive an invitation. Nick finds his friend that he knows through his cousin, Daisy. They both meet the mysterious Jay Gatsby to find that he is just as extraordinary as his parties. Gatsby tells Nick about his love for Daisy and how he would like for Nick to get them all together. Nick, knowing that Daisy is married, is hesitant but he eventually agrees because he knows that Daisy’s husband is cheating on her with another woman.

Nick is heartbroken and loses his friend Gatsby. Tom and Daisy are broken by the east and protected by their money. Jordan is heartbroken, while Gatsby is in a casket ten feet under. However, Nick finishes the novel stating “Gatsby believed in the green light, the orgastic future that year by year recedes before us.

In Chapter 2 there is a train ride with Tom Buchanan and they go to the Valley of Ashes. This place was the complete opposite of the island Nick was used to he was used to a wealthy, and beautiful place. The Valley of Ashes was disgusting, and almost an unliveable enviroment. They find a place called Wilsons Garage and it was pretty much a empty shop. Wilson and his wife Myrtle Lived in here Wilson was a worker and his Wife was very good looking. They seem to fit well into this setting because they live in the valley of ashes and know what its like to live there. From what I've learned about Nick he Is very much alike and not alike the people he spends his time with he has his similarities and his differences. Myrtle drunkenly keeps comment

Not long after this revelation, Nick travels to New York City with Tom and Myrtle. At a vulgar, gaudy party in the apartment that Tom keeps for the affair, Myrtle begins to taunt Tom about Daisy, and Tom responds by breaking her nose. As the summer progresses, Nick eventually garners an invitation to one of Gatsby’s legendary parties. He encounters Jordan Baker at the party, and they meet Gatsby himself, a surprisingly young man who affects an English accent, has a remarkable smile, and calls everyone “old sport.” Gatsby asks to speak to Jordan alone, and, through Jordan, Nick later learns more about his mysterious neighbor. Gatsby tells Jordan that he knew Daisy in Louisville in 1917 and is deeply in love with her. He spends many nights staring at the green light at the end of her dock, across the bay from his mansion. Gatsby’s extravagant lifestyle and wild parties are simply an attempt to impress Daisy. Gatsby now wants Nick to arrange a reunion between himself and Daisy, but he is afraid that Daisy will refuse to see him if she knows that he still loves her. Nick invites Daisy to have tea at his house, without telling her that Gatsby will also be there. After an initially awkward reunion, Gatsby and Daisy reestablish their connection. Their love rekindled, they begin an affair. After a short time,

1. There wasn't really no crucial point in this chapter because everyone is just now coming into the story, and Gatsby is having a party.

Jordan, Nick finds out about Tom’s lover. As Nick is returning home from his cousin