'With close reference to the text, show how Fitzgerald intrigues his readers in the first chapter of 'The Great Gatsby' and draws them into the story.'

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'With close reference to the text, show how Fitzgerald intrigues his readers in the first chapter of 'The Great Gatsby' and draws them into the story.'

Fitzgerald writes with extreme care and depth, subconsciously whetting the reader's literary appetite for what is to come. The first chapter of 'The Great Gatsby', and indeed any novel, is extremely important in setting a basis for the story ahead and exciting the reader's interest and Fitzgerald does this in many ways. Dramatic devices, language, characterisation, unresolved questions and description are all used to engage the reader and help them to involve themselves and identify with the characters in the book. The voice of the book, Nick Carraway, is also important as he gives the reader a complete, unbiased view of the unfolding scene and as explained later on, presents the picture in double vision.

We do not meet Gatsby directly in the first chapter of the book, however we gain an insight into his character and personality through Jordan Baker, Nick and Daisy. This in itself is enticing to the reader, as we know that Gatsby must play a crucial part in the novel as it named after him and yet do not have the opportunity to judge him for ourselves at this stage. Jordan Baker and Daisy both seem to know of Gatsby, giving him an interestingly famous quality. Daisy becomes extremely alert when Gatsby is mentioned and 'demanded,' to know more. This forms a stark contrast to her previously 'languid,' composure, causing the reader to wonder at what connection or emotion Daisy might hold for Gatsby that might have caused this change.
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From the very beginning of the chapter we can see that Nick is a decent and upright individual, as he wants the world to be at 'a sort of moral attention,' and his 'reserved,' and observational nature allows the reader to respect him and trust his judgement. Therefore, when Nick describes Gatsby as representing 'everything for which I hold an unaffected scorn,' the reader immediately categorises him as dangerous and consequently interesting. Nick also shows us his own curiosity in Gatsby when he terms him as 'exempt,' from the apathy he holds for most peoples emotional dramas. This ...

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