Chapter 1

     Nick Carraway, a young man from Minnesota, is the narrator of The Great Gatsby. He also says that he is not only the narrator, but the author too. He goes into characterization about himself.He characterizes himself as both highly moral and highly tolerant. The narrator mentions Gatsby, the hero of the story, and says that Ghe represented everything he disapproves, but that he exempts Gatsby completely from his usual judgments. Carraway describes Gatsby as "gorgeous". He arrived in New York in the summer of 1922 where he went to work in the bond business. He rented a house in West Egg, a part of Long Island. West Egg is a community where people who have recently acquired their fortunes live. Nick Carraway's house is next door to the Gatsby's mansion, a gothic styled home. 
     Nick isn't like the other people in his neighborhood. The people of West Egg lack social connections and aristocratic pedigrees, but Nick went to Yale and has many connections on the East Egg. One night, Nick drives to his cousin Daisy and her husband's house for dinner in East Egg. Daisy's husband, Tom Buchanan, is a former member of Nick's social club at Yale. When Nick arrives he is greeted by Tom who is extremely dressed up. Daisy is inside on the couch with her friend Jordan Baker, a professional golfer. Once everyone is settled Tom begins discussing a book called The Rise of the Colored Empires. This book is about white supremacists in which Tom seems to agree with. Just as Daisy begins making fun of Tom, the phone rings and both Tom and Daisy go answer the phone. Jordan explains to Nick the the call is from Tom's lover in New York. The dinner is very awkward and Jordan goes to bed because she has a golf tournament in the morning. Nick leaves right after her and Tom and Daisy hint to Nick that they would like him to take a romantic interest in Jordan. As Nick gets home he spots Gatsby for the first time.