Welcome to the Eggs: The Great Gatsby Chapter 1

In the opening of The Great Gatsby, author F. Scott Fitzgerald sets the scene for a hectic summer on Long Island. While I wasn't particularly excited for the rest of the book after reading this chapter, I did like the fact that Fitzgerald started out with detailed descriptions of the characters who will most likely be playing the biggest roles in the novel. What I found the most interesting in this chapter, however, is the portrayal of Tom and Daisy’s marriage. On the subject of an injured knuckle, Daisy claims that “You did it, Tom,” she said accusingly. I know you didn't mean to but you did do it. That's what I get for marrying a brute of a man, a great big hulking, physical specimen of a--” (Fitzgerald 16) This quote, and the events that follow it, showed me that Tom and Daisy are both unhappy in their marriage, but neither of the two will leave the other, even with knowledge of affairs and cheating. Tom and Daisy having a rocky marriage also makes the book more interesting in my opinion, because who doesn't love a good relationship scandal? Nick, in my opinion, is the most likable character, due to his down to earth personality, and his lack of an inflated ego. I’m interested to see how he will survive the summer in the Eggs surrounded by wealthy, snobbish people. In the presence of Daisy, Nick describes that “‘You make me feel uncivilized, Daisy’, I confessed on my second glass of corky but rather impressive claret. ‘Can’t you talk about crops or something?’” (Fitzgerald 17) Nick’s confession about him feeling uncivilized around Daisy makes me wonder how he’ll be able to have any type of true relationship with anyone in the Eggs. Jordan Baker, Daisy’s equally gaudy friend, will definitely make Nick’s life interesting in my opinion, as I can definitely predict by their first introduction that a relationship of sorts between the two will begin to blossom further down the road. My first thoughts on The Great Gatsby are mixed. I’m not really interested in reading this book, but since I must, I am curious to see how Nick (my favorite character) will make a name for himself in the Eggs. Besides, I can see some of myself reflected in Nick. While Nick feels uncivilized in the presence of the people in the Eggs, I feel too civilized in the presence of some of the people that live in my area. Is that too harsh? Until Chapter 2...