The Great Gatsby Chapter Three

Summary A large party is held at Gatsby’s house. Nick meets Jordan there. There is lurid speculation regarding Gatsby’s past. Nick meets Gatsby for the first time. The evening ends with a car accident outside the big house (foreshadowing).

Gatsby’s party and lifestyle are examples of conspicuous consumption. His cars are intended to impress Daisy, but later lead to his downfall. They are easily identified, leading to him being wrongly identified as Myrtle Wilson’s killer. The Rolls-Royce is representative of the importation of privilege form class-stratified Europe to supposedly egalitarian America.

Reconstruction of Past Events There is much speculation regarding Gatsby’s past. This reconstruction of the past is one of the novel’s thematic concerns. Recollection is linked to point of view/ subjectivity. The past may exist in different versions according to whose memory is involved.

The Party Widespread drunkenness despite prohibition Gatsby is like a detached monarch. His invitation is signed ‘in a majestic hand’. His guests are from a social elite, but behave in a vulgar manner. ‘according to the rules of behaviour associated with an amusement park’.