Chapter 3

Chapter 3

Pgs. 39-59

Summary

-Chapter 3 begins with Nick telling us about the crazy parties that Gatsby seems to throw almost every night and the extravagance of them, “On buffet tables, garnished with glistening hors d’oeuvre, spiced baked hams crowded against salads of harlequin designs and pastry pigs… (Fitzgerald 40).”  Nick recalls the first night he went to Gatsby’s house and the fact that he was actually invited, telling specifically about the butler who came with an invitation. Nick runs into Jordan and they begin looking for Gatsby; visiting his library briefly, they go outside where a man who turns out to be Gatsby starts talking to Nick, but is interrupted and has to leave. Nick leaves later on and then describes the next few weeks; having many dates and going to events with Gatsby. He met up with Jordan weeks later and finally tries to understand why she shows no feeling or emotion, because she may be trying to hide a secret from others.

Character Qualities

-Jordan Baker: “I hate careless people. That’s why I like you (Fitzgerald 58).” Jordan is always extremely calm and composed and has a very professional personality according to Nick. She is a professional golfer and seems to be somewhat close to Gatsby as she has had many private chats with him. She has that very professional, almost emotionless kind of persona where almost everything is treated like business. She likes Nick and reveals her true nature to him because he has gotten so close with her; he even says that he almost loves her. But she is very rash and impolite, and that shifts their relationship and keeps Nick from loving her.

-Jordan’s role so far in the story is to be a potential love interest for Nick. She and Nick get along really well and for a while seem very much alike. She is very straightforward and not entirely judging at first much like Nick who does not prematurely judge people. By the end of Chapter 3, they are very good friends and Nick almost loves her. She likes Nick as they always attend parties and go out to other places when together.

Most Important Quote

-“Somebody told me they thought he killed a man once (Fitzgerald 44).” This quote exemplifies the popularity of Gatsby among those who have never met him. I was interested in this quote because the way that the people say this makes it almost sound like Gatsby is a murderer, even though its probably more logical to assume that the person he killed happened in World War I rather than after. I just thought it was interesting because Gatsby seems to be so famous and popular that a bunch of stories and rumors are spread about him.

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