The Great Gatsby: Themes, Characters, and Plot Summary

Published on 13-Aug-2025

Plot Summary

The Great Gatsby, written by F. Scott Fitzgerald in 1925, is narrated from the 1st person point of view of Nick Carraway. Nick tells the story of Jay Gatsby, a millionaire he met during his visit to West Egg on Long Island in 1922.

Nick moves to West Egg in a small house next to Gatsby’s huge mansion. The area is divided by class: West Egg is for the "newly rich," while East Egg is home to "old money." Nick’s cousin, Daisy Buchanan, lives in East Egg with her wealthy husband, Tom Buchanan.

During a dinner at the Buchanans’ mansion, Nick meets Jordan Baker, Daisy’s friend and an amateur golfer, who reveals Tom’s affair with Myrtle Wilson. Myrtle, married to George B. Wilson, owns a small garage. Nick’s encounter with Gatsby begins that same night when he sees him standing on his balcony reaching toward a green light across the bay.

In July, Nick accompanies Tom to Manhattan, where he meets Myrtle and her sister Catherine. After drinks, a fight breaks out, ending with Tom striking Myrtle for mentioning Daisy.

Nick later attends one of Gatsby’s lavish parties, filled with newly rich guests, jazz music, and endless alcohol. Rumors swirl about Gatsby’s mysterious past. Nick meets Gatsby, who fascinates him.

Gatsby takes Nick to Manhattan to meet his longtime business partner, Meyer Wolfsheim. Gatsby shares his story—claiming wealthy lineage, an Oxford education, and war heroism—but Nick remains skeptical. Jordan reveals that Gatsby once loved Daisy before the war. Gatsby asks Nick to arrange a reunion, and Daisy comes to Nick’s house for tea, rekindling her affair with Gatsby.

Tom grows suspicious of Daisy and Gatsby. At Gatsby’s next party, Daisy expresses her disdain for the wild spectacle of the newly rich. Later, Gatsby wants Daisy to leave Tom and marry him.

A confrontation occurs at the Plaza Hotel in Manhattan, where Tom exposes Gatsby’s illegal dealings. Daisy does not defend Gatsby and avoids the conflict. On their return, Daisy accidentally hits Myrtle with Gatsby’s car. Myrtle dies, and Gatsby takes the blame.

George Wilson, misled by Tom, murders Gatsby before killing himself. Nick organizes Gatsby’s funeral, attended only by Gatsby’s father, Henry C. Gatz, and Nick. The Buchanans leave town, and Nick returns to the Midwest, ending his relationships with the East Egg elite.

Themes