The Great Gatsby Chapter 1 Summary

Questions and Answers

What is the summary of Chapter 1 of 'The Great Gatsby'?

The reader is introduced to Nick Carraway, who moves to West Egg, near Tom and Daisy Buchanan. He visits them for dinner and learns about Tom's affair and is introduced to Jordan Baker. Nick later sees Gatsby standing on his lawn.

How does the narrator describe Gatsby?

Gatsby was romantic with lots of hope, something gorgeous about him, a romantic readiness.

From where did the narrator come and why?

Graduated from New Haven, from the Midwest. Came to the East to study bond and business.

Describe the narrator's house.

Less fashionable, squeezed in between two large places, an eyesore, small, overlooked, and weather beaten. Signup and view all the answers

Describe the Buchanans' house.

A mansion, it is very formal and traditional. Signup and view all the answers

How does Nick know Daisy and Tom?

Daisy is Nick's cousin, he knew Tom from school. Signup and view all the answers

Describe Tom.

Athletic, arrogant, and snobby. Signup and view all the answers

What kind of person is Daisy?

Very superficial and a socialite yearning for love. Signup and view all the answers

What did Miss Baker tell Nick about Tom?

That Tom was having an affair. Signup and view all the answers

When asked about her daughter, what does Daisy say?

That she hopes that she is a beautiful little fool, because that is the best thing a girl can be in this world. Signup and view all the answers

How is Gatsby introduced into the novel?

In conversation, then later Nick sees him out on the lawn in the moonlight. Signup and view all the answers

Study Notes

Introduction to Characters

Nick Carraway is the narrator, originally from the Midwest, who moves to New York to work in the bond business.
Nick lives in West Egg, near Tom and Daisy Buchanan, who reside in the more affluent East Egg.
Daisy is Nick's cousin, and Tom is a former college acquaintance.

Dinner at the Buchanans

Nick attends a dinner party at the Buchanan's home and meets Jordan Baker, a professional golfer and friend of Daisy's.
During the evening, Tom receives a private phone call, indicating infidelity.
Jordan reveals that Tom is having an affair, and that Daisy is aware, which is common knowledge among their circle.

Nick and Gatsby

Nick expresses a desire to meet his mysterious neighbor, Jay Gatsby, whom he has not yet encountered.
After dinner, Nick sees Gatsby standing alone on his lawn but chooses not to approach him, leading Gatsby to vanish when Nick looks away.

Character Descriptions

Gatsby is characterized as romantic, hopeful, and possessing an air of mystery.
The narrator describes his own house as small, weather-beaten, and an eyesore amidst larger, more fashionable residences.
The Buchanans' mansion is depicted as grand, formal, and traditional.

Relationships and Personalities

Daisy is described as superficial and yearning for genuine love and affection.
Tom is portrayed as athletic with an arrogant and snobbish demeanor.
Nick recognizes Daisy's desire for a superficial existence through her remarks about her daughter.

Key Themes and Insights

Miss Baker informs Nick about Tom's affair, providing insight into the Buchanans' tumultuous relationship.
Daisy's hope for her daughter to be a "beautiful little fool" reflects societal expectations of women in the era.
Gatsby's introduction comes through conversation, leading to mysterious intrigue surrounding his character.

Description

This quiz focuses on the first chapter of 'The Great Gatsby', providing questions and a summary about the main characters and setting. It introduces Nick Carraway and his connections to Tom and Daisy Buchanan, giving insight into their lives in the wealthy areas of West Egg and East Egg.