The Great Gatsby Chapter 1 Summary

Nick Carraway the narrator, opens the chapter with saying how in life one shall not be judgemental. However, he quickly contradicts himself by judging everyone who has opened up to him in the past. He explains how he was born into a wealthy family, and how he hates everything about privileged folks. However, Gatsby has all the qualities that he hates but, for some reason has an inclination to like him. He graduated from “New Haven” and participated in the first world war. He moves East and joins the bond business similar to what everyone else seems to be doing. He lives on “west egg” a very wealthy area, yet lives in a “cardboard bungalow”. His neighbor Gatsby is very rich and owned a gigantic mansion. Nick decides to have dinner on East Egg

Tom was a college football star, who now lives in the shadow of his past. Nick is then introduced to Jordan Baker and Daisy. He describes them both as angelic in the way they seem to float in the hall. Nick then learns that Daisy has a three year old daughter, who remains unnamed. Nick is talking about his life when he mentions Gatsby and Daisy has a very interested reaction until one of Tom’s mistresses calls the house. Jordan explains to Nick that Tom has multiple other women in his life. Daisy returns and begins talking about how she has no dreams in her life and how Tom was not present when her child was born. Nick then leaves the Buchanans following accusations of him being engaged. When he returns home he sees Gatsby reaching toward some green light then vanish into thin

Tom is known for cheating on his beautiful wife and not emotionally treating her well. It seems that from these actions we can identify that Tom will never be satisfied in his life emotionally, therefore will cause problems with other characters out of envy of their happiness. Tom outshines everyone with his money and achievements but falls short emotionally. If a “threatening” person meaning someone who is superior to Tom physically, financially, and emotionally enters Tom’s life, I predict that the outcome will be violent and we will see the jealousy eat Tom alive. Now, it is unfair to say that Tom is the overall “bad guy” because I feel that Tom has no control over these feelings of dissatisfaction. Tom clearly loves his wife, but maybe he shows his love in a different way than others. He is old money, meaning that he grew up not knowing any different than getting everything he wants with no effort put into