The Great Gatsby
The Great Gatsby Chapter 3 Question
how does Fitzgerald begin chapter 3? What might be his purpose in beginning with something other than the plot?
how does Fitzgerald begin chapter 3? What might be his purpose in beginning with something other than the plot?
This chapter begins with Nick's description of Gatsby's Saturday night parties: they have become legendary in New York for their opulence and hedonism. This chapter explores Jay Gatsby as a mystery. Few of the partygoers have met their host, and Gatsby stands aloof from his own celebration. He does not drink, he does not dance, he remains an observer. The man himself stands in stark contrast to the sinister gossip Nick has heard about him. We are given the idea that Gatsby is an enigma which resonates for much of the book.