Chapter One Analysis
- Nick Carraway is established as an impartial narrator, who is also amongst the main characters, participating in social events as well as commenting on those which he does not participate in. For instance, at Gatsby’s parties Nick both narrates and depicts the events at the party, as well as participating in the festivities on several occasions.
- Nick however, is not an entirely forgiving narrator, which forms a tension in his character throughout the novel. For instance, Gatsby represents all that Nick dislikes through his affluent and lavish lifestyle; however in this case Nick cannot help but be in awe of Gatsby’s complex character.
- The novel’s beginning portrays a main theme, which is the challenge presented to Nick’s interpretation and thoughts of the world around him, through Gatsby’s character. For instance, Gatsby is ultimately not what he initially appears, as Nick describes Gatsby’s personality as “gorgeous” (page, ).
- Another main theme revealed in the first chapter, is the novel’s strong emphasis on social class and privilege. This is portrayed through the characters’ obsession with it. For instance, although Nick is from a similar background to Tom Buchanan, Tom exploits his high social status. An example of this is through Tom’s physique, a “big hulking physical specimen” (page, ) with which he dominates the other characters.
- Tom is portrayed as a hypocritical bully, which can be seen through traces of “paternal contempt” (page, ), and his hypocrisy can be seen when he receives a call from his mistress and goes to no length to hid this from his wife, Daisy. However, when Tom realizes that Daisy is very, romantically interested in Gatsby, he becomes very jealous.
- Daisy is depicted in direct contrast to her husband Tom. Daisy is skinny and fragile as opposed to Tom’s thick, muscular physique. Also, Daisy and Jordan, her friend, are dressed in white when Nick enters her living room and she mentions that they spend a “white girl-hood” together; which ironically contrasts with her now lifestyle now corrupted by money and lies.
- Gatsby’s introduction in The Great Gatsby, seems very solemn and Nick comments that Gatsby has “come out to determine what share of our local heavens was his” (page, ). Gatsby’s introduction in the novel represents his relationship with the other characters, as he is alone and he does not participate in events with other characters, such as his parties. When the reader first sees Gatsby, he is yearning for the green light, which represents his desire for Daisy, something which he cannot have.
