Analysis of Chapter One

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Chapter One - Analysis

Nick devotes the first part of Chapter One to describing his background and the class rivalry of Long Island.

Nick's father's advice is that he should 'just remember that all the people in the world haven’t had the advantages that you’ve had.'
- Nick says that, because of this advice, he is non-judgemental and accepting of others.
- The 'advantages' that Nick’s father is referring to come from their wealth and high social status. Nick’s family clearly represent ‘old money’.
- By highlighting how he is not quick to judge others based on their class, Nick is implicitly suggesting that other people of his social status are not so tolerant.

The insights into Nick’s background, particularly his family history and his privileged education at one of America’s top universities, further emphasise that he comes from an ‘old money’ background.
The revelation that he fought in World War I is also significant, because this event disrupted the traditional order of society: whether rich or poor, men were required to go and fight.

The 1920s is often referred to as the ‘roaring twenties’ because many people made their fortunes in places like New York City.
These newly rich people were said to lack the social refinement of the ‘old money’ people.
This rivalry between old and new money is illustrated by the fact that the two communities, West and East Egg, face each other across the bay.
While Nick is from an ‘old money’ background, he lives in the ‘new money’ neighbourhood, possibly suggesting that he is split between the two worlds.

Nick describes how his own small rented house is next to Gatsby’s mansion, 'a colossal affair by any standard', and a replica of a French hotel.
- The suggestion here is that the ‘new money’ people of West Egg compensate for their lack of refinement and social connections with excessive displays of wealth. The ‘old money’ class of East Egg find this to be garish and tacky.

In the main narrative of Chapter One, Nick visits Daisy and Tom Buchanan. He meets Jordan Baker and learns of Tom Buchanan's mistress.

Tom is dressed in 'riding clothes' - this clearly signifies that he is part of the ‘old money’ class: horse riding was an expensive hobby associated with people with large country homes, and not something those with ‘new money’ would have been likely to do.
But despite his high social status, Tom is presented as an unlikeable character.

Jordan’s boredom with life is perhaps Fitzgerald’s suggestion that the ‘old money’ world is hollow and unfulfilling.
Jordan’s contempt of West Egg again highlights the snobbish attitudes held by the ‘old money’ class.

Tom urges the others to read The Rise of the Colored Empires so that they can understand how important it is that they protect 'the dominant race'.
- This racist outburst reveals a lot about Tom and the ‘old money’ class in general. While he hides among the pretense of refined taste and class, really he is hate-filled and prejudiced.
- The 1920s was a time of huge social change in the USA, and many members of the ‘old money’ class would have felt insecure about their changing place in the order of society.

The revelation that Tom has a mistress shows him to be hypocritical. He wants to show off his seemingly perfect family, but really he is hiding sinister secrets. This seems to be a criticism of the ‘old money’ class.

Nick sees Gatsby stretch 'out his arms towards the dark water in a curious way'. Nick only sees a 'single green light' in the distance.
- It is not yet clear to the reader what Gatsby is doing, but he already seems to be a mysterious character.
- Later on, we learn that Gatsby is a character who is desperately seeking to fulfil an unachievable dream. The seemingly unremarkable green light turns out to be a symbol of hope for Gatsby.