Summary Of The Great Gatsby Chapter 1

In chapter 1 of The Great Gatsby the author Nick Carraway is introduced. He explains his childhood and upbringing. Nick talks about himself and the lessons his family taught him throughout his childhood. He spoke of the advice his father gave him on not criticizing others, because of this advice Nick has become a tolerant person and tries not to make judgments of others.
In 1922 Nick decides to move from his hometown in Minnesota. His experience in World War I made him want to leave in search of excitement and endless possibilities. Nick moves from his home in the Midwest to live in West Egg, Long Island. He begins working as a bond salesman and rents a house next door to Jay Gatsby.

One evening Nick has dinner with his cousin Daisy
Jay was a young man standing on the lawn with his arms reaching toward the water. Nick looks out at the water, but all he can see is a distant green light. It looked like Jay had disappeared.

Journal Entry 2

Chapter 2 describes a valley of ashes. This valley is the intersection of the city and the suburbs. A dark gray place with an advertisement with large blue eyes which belong to Doctor T. J. Eckleburg. There is a train that runs through the Valley of Ashes. Nick and Tom are riding the train into the city one day when Tom forces Nick to follow him off the train at one of the stops between West Egg and New York. It was at this stop in the valley of ashes where Nick would meet Tom’s lover Myrtle Wilson.

Tom and Nick go to a car repair garage owned by George Wilson to discuss business. George is Myrtle’s husband. When Myrtle sees Tom she lies to her husband and tells him she is going to visit her sister in New York, when she is actually spending time with Tom. Tom, Myrtle and Nick go to the Morningside Heights apartment which is where Tom and Myrtle secretly see each other. Once they are there Myrtle’s sister, Catherine and her friends the McKees join them for an afternoon