The Great Gatsby Summary

F. Scott Fitzgerald's "The Great Gatsby" is a tragic tale of love, wealth, and the American Dream set in the Roaring Twenties. The story is narrated by Nick Carraway, a young man from the Midwest who moves to Long Island's affluent West Egg and becomes fascinated by his mysterious and wealthy neighbor, Jay Gatsby. Gatsby, known for his extravagant parties, is in love with Nick's cousin, Daisy Buchanan, who lives in the more refined East Egg with her husband, Tom. Gatsby's dream is to rekindle his romance with Daisy, believing that his newfound wealth can erase the past. However, Daisy is ultimately unable to leave Tom, and Gatsby's idealism leads to his downfall. Tom and Daisy's careless actions result in a series of tragic events, culminating in Gatsby's death at the hands of George Wilson, who mistakenly believes Gatsby was driving the car that killed his wife, Myrtle. Nick, disillusioned by the moral decay and superficiality of the East Coast elite, returns to the Midwest. "The Great Gatsby" is a profound commentary on the illusion of the American Dream and the corrupting influence of wealth.