The Great Gatsby Chapter One

Over the course of the first chapter, we are introduced to many of the most influential characters in the story. We familiarise ourselves with Nick, our narrator who makes it very clear that he intends to “reserve all judgements” throughout the course of the book, although his reliability as a narrator is tainted when he contradicts this and introduces Tom, saying ” Two shining arrogant eyes had established dominance over his face”. Tom and Daisy are presented as polar opposites. Tom had “reached an acute limited excellence at twenty” playing football at New Haven. He is described as “hulking” and “defiant” and is obviously a dominant character who feels as though he is superior to most, mentally and physically. In contrast his wife, Daisy is “charming” and “witty” and doesn’t seem to mind being submissive and in the shadow of her unfaithful partner. During Nick’s visit we encounter Miss Jordan Baker, a sporting star of some sort who, much like Daisy seems to ‘flutter’ around the room practically oozing sophistication. By the end of the chapter we have established that Gatsby is some sort of mysterious character who both Nick and we as readers are yet to formally meet.

Tom

• hulking
• stronger
• violently
• brute
• defiant
• tense

Daisy

• thrilling
• witty
• sophisticated
• charming
• helplessly

Jordan Baker

• charming
• absurd
• erect
• unashamed
• contemptuous

When we first meet Nick he establishes that he intends to be non judgemental but we soon realise that he is not to be relied upon in this matter. It becomes clear that he takes pleasure in judging people when he discribes Tom as “a sturdy straw−haired man of thirty with a rather hard mouth and a supercilious manner.”  If we as readers are to judge Nick’s reliability by how quickly he forgets his non judgemental nature then he cannot be trusted and therefore is not a reliable narrator.