"The Great Gatsby" Chapter 1
Questions and summary with
Complete Solutions
Summary - ANSWER - The reader is introduced to Nick Carraway, the narrator of the
book. Nick talks about his midwestern beginnings and how he came to the New York
area to work in bonds. He moves to a small house in West Egg, which is very near to
Tom and Daisy Buchanan, who live on East Egg. Daisy is Nick's cousin and Tom is an
acquaintance from Nick's days in college. He goes to their home for dinner one
evening soon after moving. There he meets Jordan Baker, a professional athlete who
is friends with Daisy. While everyone is enjoying their evening Tom gets a private
phone call. Jordan tells Nick that the person on the phone is Tom's other woman.
Daisy is also aware that Tom is cheating on her, and Jordan tells Nick that almost
everyone knows about Tom's affair. She also asks Nick if he has met his neighbor
Gatsby. He has not and but decides that he would like to. Later in the evening Tom
and Daisy ask Nick about his engagement. He tells them he is not engaged, and
that it is all a gossipy misunderstanding. When Nick arrives home after the party he
sees Gatsby, or who he thinks is Gatsby, standing out on the grass. He intends to go
introduce himself but decides against it thinking that Gatsby would prefer to be
alone. So he just watches him for a minute or two but the minute he takes his eyes
off of him, Gatsby vanishes.
How does the narrator describe Gatsby? - ANSWER - Gatsby was romantic with lots
of hope, something gorgeous about him, a romantic readiness.
From where did the narrator come and why? - ANSWER - Graduated from New
Haven, from the Midwest. Came to the East to study bond and business.
Describe the narrator's house. - ANSWER - Less fashionable, squeezed in between
two large places, an eyesore, small, overlooked, and weather beaten.
Describe the Buchanans' house. - ANSWER - A mansion, it is very formal and
traditional.
How does Nick know Daisy and Tom? - ANSWER - Daisy is Nick's cousin, he knew
Tom from school.
Questions and summary with
Complete Solutions
Summary - ANSWER - The reader is introduced to Nick Carraway, the narrator of the
book. Nick talks about his midwestern beginnings and how he came to the New York
area to work in bonds. He moves to a small house in West Egg, which is very near to
Tom and Daisy Buchanan, who live on East Egg. Daisy is Nick's cousin and Tom is an
acquaintance from Nick's days in college. He goes to their home for dinner one
evening soon after moving. There he meets Jordan Baker, a professional athlete who
is friends with Daisy. While everyone is enjoying their evening Tom gets a private
phone call. Jordan tells Nick that the person on the phone is Tom's other woman.
Daisy is also aware that Tom is cheating on her, and Jordan tells Nick that almost
everyone knows about Tom's affair. She also asks Nick if he has met his neighbor
Gatsby. He has not and but decides that he would like to. Later in the evening Tom
and Daisy ask Nick about his engagement. He tells them he is not engaged, and
that it is all a gossipy misunderstanding. When Nick arrives home after the party he
sees Gatsby, or who he thinks is Gatsby, standing out on the grass. He intends to go
introduce himself but decides against it thinking that Gatsby would prefer to be
alone. So he just watches him for a minute or two but the minute he takes his eyes
off of him, Gatsby vanishes.
How does the narrator describe Gatsby? - ANSWER - Gatsby was romantic with lots
of hope, something gorgeous about him, a romantic readiness.
From where did the narrator come and why? - ANSWER - Graduated from New
Haven, from the Midwest. Came to the East to study bond and business.
Describe the narrator's house. - ANSWER - Less fashionable, squeezed in between
two large places, an eyesore, small, overlooked, and weather beaten.
Describe the Buchanans' house. - ANSWER - A mansion, it is very formal and
traditional.
How does Nick know Daisy and Tom? - ANSWER - Daisy is Nick's cousin, he knew
Tom from school.
