The Great Gatsby

The Great Gatsby

Written by F. Scott Fitzgerald with notes and preface by Matthew J. Bruccoli

Throughout the book many major characters were introduced some of which include: Jay Gatsby, Nick Carraway, Tom and Daisy Buchanan, Jordan Baker, along with George and Myrtle Wilson. Jay Gatsby is the main protagonist of the story. While being famous for his lavish parties he also portrays a sense of mystery and uncertainty regarding his wealth. Nick Carraway is neighbors with Jay Gatsby and has just moved from Minnesota in hopes to learn the business of bonds and advance even more in his education. Daisy Buchanan is the woman, which Gatsby desperately desires to have. Daisy had promised to wait for Gatsby but her love for luxury and wealth was too great. Daisy then goes on to marry Tom Buchanan. Jordan Baker is involved with Nick Carraway romantically; she portrays a new woman of the 1920s and cannot at times be trusted. Tom Buchanan at one point went to school with Nick Carraway. Tom has his suspicions of Daisy's relationship with Gatsby and questions the possibility of Daisy having an affair. George and Myrtle Wilson are husband and wife but Myrtle has a lover who is Tom Buchanan. George is incredible upset with Myrtle's death and continues to kill Gatsby who took the blame for Myrtle's death.

The novel takes place in the summer time somewhere around 1922. The location where the story takes place occurs in Long Island and New York City, New York. The mood of the story has an elegant yet emotional feel almost throughout the whole book. The emotional side is perfectly demonstrated by the amount of drama that goes on with Gatsby and Daisy relationship. While the elegant side is clearly demonstrated by the lavish parties thrown by Gatsby himself and the coveted East Egg side.

At the beginning of the book we learn that Gatsby and Nick Carraway are neighbors and that Nick has connections with some of the people in the East Egg side. Later on Nick attends a dinner with Tom and Daisy Buchanan where he learns details of Tom and Daisy's marriage. While at the dinner Nick is introduced to a woman named Jordan Baker. Words are passed between the two concerning others relationships. Next Nick engages in a party thrown by Jay Gatsby. During the party Nick learns of Gatsby's past then he goes on to learn his plans for the near future. Gatsby then tells of how he once loves Daisy and how his love for her has never really concluded. Nick then agrees to set up a reunion for Gatsby and Daisy. The encounter of the two at first appears awkward but then advances into a comfortable connection that ends up turning into and affair. Soon afterward Gatsby finds himself at a lunch with Daisy and her husband Tom. Tom sees the connections which Gatsby and Daisy share and finds it to be suspicious. Before long Tom confronts Gatsby about his skepticism of the relationship with Daisy. Tom is then outraged and tells of how Jay acquired his wealth. While on his way through the Valley of Ashes Tom discovers that Gatsby's car has hit and killed Myrtle. Even though Daisy was driving at the point of the collision