The Great Gatsby 3

1.     Chapter 3 Pages 39 – 59

2.     5 Sentence Summary: Nick is given an invitation to one of Gatsby’s many parties. Nick finds Jordan Baker and while they are looking for Gatsby at the party, they find a drunken man in the library. Finally, Nick meets Gatsby after sitting down to rest, and finds that they had served in the army together. Gatsby invites Nick to fly airplanes with him the next morning. Being one of the last guests to leave, Nick sees the car accident in Gatsby’s garage. Nick stays in touch with Jordan after the party and even considers dating her.

3.     a. Character: Jay Gatsby

b.     Quote: “He smiled understandingly- much more than understandingly. It was one of those rare smiles with a quality of eternal reassurance in it that you may come across four or five times in life. It faced- or seemed to face the whole external world for an instant, and then concentrated on you with an irresistible prejudice in you favor. It understood you just as far as you wanted to be understood, believed in you that had precisely the impression of you that, at your best, you hoped to convey.” (48)

c.      Qualities: Gatsby is a very generous man and he has a lot of money at a young age. Gatsby is very careful and reserved. He hosts big parties every weekend and likes them because they are more intimate. He stays on the outside of the crowds so that he can talk to one or two people alone or just watch others have a good time. Gatsby is open to anyone. He doesn’t even know a portion of the people at his party, but he makes them feel like they belong. Gatsby has a rare smile that has a quality of reassurance in it. However, after his smile fades Gatsby becomes an elegant rough neck. Although very mysterious, there is a quality in him that makes him likable to the reader.

d.     Role: Gatsby is mysterious. He is a man that everyone knows, but no one actually knows anything about him. He is friendly and generous towards others, which no other wealthy character has shown thus far. Nick and Gatsby have connected at the party and will further their friendship flying planes. Since Gatsby is a knowledgeable man, Nick will learn from him. As we see from the recurring parties, Gatsby is waiting for Daisy to show up. Gatsby’s love for her might cause controversy between Tom, Daisy and Gatsby.

4.     Quote: “I hate careless people. That's why I like you." (58)

The conversation between Nick and Jordan stood out to me because it shows the possible love affair between them. While Nick is careful and honest, Jordan is careless and dishonest, resulting in a binary opposition. Although these characters are quite opposite they show affection towards one another. With Jordan as Nick’s lover, he may be able dispose of his feeling of loneliness.