In Spring 1922, Nick Carraway-a Yale alumnus from the Midwest and a veteran of the Great War-journeys east to New York City to obtain employment as a bond salesman.

He rents a bungalow in the Long Island village of West Egg, next to a luxurious estate inhabited by Jay Gatsby, an enigmatic multi-millionaire who hosts dazzling soirees yet does not partake in them.One evening, Nick dines with his distant relative, Daisy Buchanan, in the fashionable town of East Egg.

Daisy is married to Tom Buchanan, formerly a Yale football star whom Nick knew during his college days.

The couple has recently relocated from Chicago to a colonial mansion directly across the bay from Gatsby's estate.

At their mansion, Nick encounters Jordan Baker, an insolent flapper and golf champion who is a childhood friend of Daisy's.

Jordan confides to Nick that Tom keeps a mistress, Myrtle Wilson, who brazenly telephones him at his home and who lives in the "valley of ashes," a sprawling refuse dump.[24] That evening, Nick sees Gatsby standing alone on his lawn, staring at a green light across the bay.Days later, Nick reluctantly accompanies a drunken and agitated Tom to New York City by train.

En route, they stop at a garage inhabited by mechanic George Wilson and his wife Myrtle.

Myrtle joins them, and the trio proceed to a small New York apartment that Tom has rented for trysts with her.

Guests arrive, and a party ensues that ends with Tom slapping Myrtle and breaking her nose after she mentions Daisy.One morning, Nick receives a formal invitation to a party at Gatsby's mansion.

Once there, Nick is embarrassed that he recognizes no one and begins drinking heavily until he encounters Jordan.

While chatting with her, he is approached by a man who introduces himself as Jay Gatsby and insists that both he and Nick served in the 3rd Infantry Division during the war.

Gatsby attempts to ingratiate himself with Nick and, when Nick leaves the party, he notices Gatsby watching him.