Fitzgerald, F. Scott: 1896 - 1940

The Great Gatsby, 1925 - Summary

  • The story is narrated by Nick Carraway, a young man who moves to New York to become a bond trader. He lives next door to a mysterious millionaire named Jay Gatsby, who throws lavish parties at his mansion every weekend.
    Nick later learns that Gatsby is in love with his cousin Daisy, who is married to the arrogant and wealthy Tom Buchanan. It's revealed that Gatsby and Daisy had a romantic relationship years ago before Gatsby went off to war. Gatsby is determined to win Daisy back.
    Nick arranges a reunion between Gatsby and Daisy. They rekindle their romance, much to the dismay of Tom. During a confrontation at a hotel in New York City, Gatsby tells Tom that Daisy loves him, not Tom. However, Daisy refuses to say she never loved Tom.
    As they drive back from the city, Gatsby's car accidentally strikes and kills Tom's mistress Myrtle. Daisy was driving Gatsby's car at the time. Myrtle's husband, George Wilson, later shoots and kills Gatsby, believing he was the one driving the car. George then kills himself.
    The only people who attend Gatsby's funeral are Nick, Gatsby's father Henry Gatz, and a handful of servants. Nick is disgusted by the East and moves back to the Midwest. He reflects on the "green light" at the end of Daisy's dock that represented Gatsby's dream, now forever lost.

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