The first chapter of The Great Gatsby introduces the narrator, Nick Carraway, who has recently moved from the Midwest to West Egg, Long Island, in the summer of 1922 to learn the bond business. Nick rents a modest house nestled among the grand mansions of the nouveau riche, including his mysterious neighbor, Jay Gatsby
. Nick visits his cousin Daisy Buchanan and her husband Tom at their opulent mansion in East Egg, a community symbolizing "old money" and inherited wealth, in contrast to West Egg's "new money" residents. This geographic and social division between East Egg and West Egg establishes a key tension in the novel related to class and status
. At the Buchanans' dinner party, Nick meets Jordan Baker, a professional golfer, and learns about Tom's aggressive, racist attitudes and his ongoing affair, revealed through phone calls that interrupt the evening. Daisy’s superficial charm masks underlying unhappiness, as seen in her cynical remark that her daughter is "a beautiful little fool," reflecting the emptiness behind their lavish lifestyle
. The setting deeply influences the plot by highlighting social divisions and character dynamics. East Egg’s grandeur and old wealth contrast with West Egg’s newer, less refined prosperity, framing the characters’ interactions and conflicts. After the dinner, Nick sees Gatsby for the first time-standing alone on his lawn, reaching out toward a distant green light across the bay at the Buchanans’ dock. This green light symbolizes Gatsby’s longing and the elusive American Dream, setting a tone of yearning and mystery that drives the novel’s plot
. Thus, the first chapter uses its setting-the contrasting Eggs and the lavish Buchanan estate-to introduce themes of class conflict, wealth, illusion, and desire, while establishing the key characters and the mysterious figure of Gatsby, whose ambitions and secrets will unfold throughout the story.
