The Great Gatsby- Scene
Summary With Complete
Solutions
Chapter One- Nick's background - ANSWER - · The novel begins with the narrator,
Nick Carraway, remembering a piece of advice his father gave. Instead of judging
people, he should "just remember that all the people in the world haven't had the
advantages you've had." This is ironic, as Nick spends the majority of the novel
judging everyone around him, as he comes from 'old money.'
· He mentions Gatsby, a person whom he would normally have an "unaffected
scorn" for but instead he admires his "gorgeous" character which fell victim to the
"foul dust" of the times.
· Nick grow up in Minnesota, graduated Yale in 1915, and joined the WWI war effort.
When he returned, he wanted to be a writer, but moved to New York and learnt the
"bond business."
· He lives in West egg which he calls the "less fashionable of the two," which
represents the new money, whereas east egg represents the old money. Nick lives
next to Gatsby's mansion which he dubs a "colossal affair by any standards," which
is a replica of a French hotel. This is highly ostentatious and reflective of his
supposed achievement of the American Dream.
Chapter One- Nick visits the Buchanans - ANSWER - · Nick arrives at the Buchanan's
house in east egg, where he meets Tom, who is in "riding clothes" and "standing
with his legs apart on the front porch." Nick recalls how many at university "hated
his guts" and he still comes across as arrogant and condescending.
· Both Daisy and Jordan are presented as ethereal and pure, "they were both in
white, and their dresses were rippling and fluttering."
· Nick also meets Jordan, a professional golf player, who complains about west egg.
· Over dinner, Tom tells them about him reading "the rise of the coloured empires"
and about the need to protect the "dominant race."
· The dinner is interrupted by a phone call to Tom, to which Jordan tells Nick that
"Tom's got some other woman in New York." This is highly hypocritical, as he wants
to show off his seemingly perfect family, but is hiding his infidelity.
· Daisy has a minor break in her perfect façade, telling Nick "that's the best thing a
girl can be in this world, a beautiful little fool."
, · When Nick returns home he sees Gatsby, who has "stretched out his arms towards
the dark water in a curious way" and is looking at a "single green light."
Chapter Two- Valley of Ashes - ANSWER - · Tom and Nick go to the Valley of Ashes,
called such due to the smoke of industrialisation. The area represents those left
behind in poverty by the rapid development of the Jazz Age. Above the "grey land" a
pair of "blue and gigantic" eyes of Doctor T.J Eckleburg look down, creating a sinister
atmosphere, possibly representing the eyes of God.
· They travel to George Wilson's car garage, who is described as a "blond, spiritless
man, anaemic and faintly handsome."
· Myrtle, George's wife, comes downstairs and Nick notices a "perceptible vitality"
and finds her strangely sensual. This creates a great contrast between husband and
wife, possibly explaining Myrtle's relationship with Tom, as she sees his wealth as an
escape.
· Nick realises she is Tom's mistress, and questions if George will realise, but Tom
tells him he's "so dumb he doesn't even know he's alive." It is clear Tom is taking
advantage of George, pretending to be nice while sleeping with his wife.
Chapter Two- Nick at Tom and Myrtle's flat - ANSWER - · Tom and Nick meet Myrtle
and some other neighbors at an apartment specifically rented for their affair. He
gives her a present of a dog, showing his arrogance in being able to buy anything
he wants, representing the materialism of the era.
· At the apartment, everyone gets drunk, including Nick. He claims it is only the
second time he has drunk in his life. This drunkenness makes the narrative jumbled,
further displaying he is an unreliable narrator. This also shows that they need to be
intoxicated to enjoy the party, displaying the underlying desperation of the roaring
twenties.
· When Nick tells them he lives in West egg, they begin to discuss Gatsby, who
Catherine fears as she heard he is "a nephew or cousin of Kaiser Wilhelm's." This
highlights how gossip and rumours were a key feature of the Jazz Age.
· Tom and Myrtle begin arguing as she has mentioned Daisy's name and he doesn't
believe she has any right to mention her. She antagonises Tom, repeatedly saying
"Daisy! Daisy" Daisy!"
· Angered by her disobedience, he punches her face, breaking her nose, and
abruptly ending the party. There is a clear hypocrisy in his actions, as he is
attacking her out of loyalty for Daisy, but is cheating on her. It also shows the
entitlement of his old money upbringing, as he expects people to follow his orders.
