The Great Gatsby: Plot Summary and Key Themes

Nick Carraway and the Moral Compass of West Egg

The narrator, Nick Carraway, starts the book by sharing advice from his father about the importance of not criticizing others. The Buchanans live in the modern East Egg, while Nick resides in the West Egg area—a location that is less elite but rising in status, situated on the opposite side of the bay.

The Mysterious Jay Gatsby and the Green Light

Nick becomes intrigued by Jay Gatsby, a wealthy and mysterious man who lives in a massive mansion next to Nick. Gatsby spends many of his evenings standing in his garden, staring across the water at a green light located at the end of a dock.

Tom Buchanan and the Valley of Ashes

Tom takes Nick to the city to meet his mistress, Myrtle Wilson, who is married. Her husband, George, is a working-class man who owns a mechanic's shop and remains completely unaware of his wife's extramarital affairs.

Extravagant Parties and the Search for Daisy

Gatsby is known for organizing lavish parties where guests speculate on the source of his immense fortune. Nick eventually meets the mysterious host after receiving a personal invitation. Through Jordan Baker, Gatsby reveals that he and Daisy had an affair before he went to war and she married Tom. Gatsby wants to win Daisy back, so he recruits Nick to help him plot a "casual" reunion.

The Truth Behind Gatsby’s Fortune

Nick carries out the plan, and Gatsby and Daisy rekindle their romance. However, tension rises when Tom begins to investigate Gatsby’s business dealings. Nick learns the truth: Gatsby was raised in a poor family but was mentored by a wealthy man named Dan Cody, who taught him how to navigate the world of the rich.

Tragedy in the City: The Death of Myrtle Wilson

The climax occurs in the city during a heated confrontation between Tom and Gatsby over Daisy. Tom reveals that Gatsby is an alcohol smuggler, and Daisy finds herself unable to leave her husband. On the drive home, Gatsby’s car—driven by Daisy—strikes and kills Myrtle Wilson. Gatsby decides to take the blame for the accident to protect Daisy. Meanwhile, Tom tells George where to find Gatsby.

The Final Act: Gatsby’s Death and Nick’s Reflection

While Gatsby waits for a call from Daisy, George Wilson appears and shoots him before taking his own life. Nick organizes Gatsby’s funeral, which is poorly attended. Looking at the green light one last time, Nick concludes that nostalgia and the past exert a powerful, inescapable pull on us all.