Published in 2025, The Great Gatsby by F. Scott Fitzgerald, a renowned American writer, is set in extravagant Jazz Age New York during Prohibition. In summary, The Great Gatsby follows the tragic love story of Jay Gatsby and Daisy Buchanan. Gatsby obsessively chases Daisy, his former lover now married to another man. This pursuit ultimately causes Gatsby’s demise.
This article contains The Great Gatsby’s short summary, synopsis, and timeline. The Great Gatsby’s brief summary breaks down each chapter in a couple of concise sentences, while the timeline presents the key dates and events connected to the novel’s plot.
📈 The Great Gatsby Timeline
Below is a timeline of The Great Gatsby. It contains the key events connected to the novel’s plot.
🖼️ The Great Gatsby: Short Summary (with Pictures)
Nick Carraway, a young man from Minnesota and the story’s narrator, moves to New York City in 1922. He rents a house in West Egg. His cousin, Daisy, lives in East Egg with her husband, Tom Buchanan.
Tom is cheating on Daisy with Myrtle Wilson. The latter is quite a vulgar woman from a lower social class. She lives in the Valley of Ashes, an industrial dumping ground. Tom takes Nick with him to New York City and introduces him to Myrtle.
Everyone is fascinated by a certain Mr. Gatsby, a mysterious Nick’s neighbor who lives in a luxurious mansion and regularly throws epic parties. One day, Nick receives an invitation to one of Gatsby’s parties and gets acquainted with the host.
Gatsby seeks friendship with Nick. He talks to Jordan and tells her his story. It turns out that he and Daisy were in love with each other several years ago. Jay wants Nick to help them meet again.
Through Jordan, Gatsby asks Nick to arrange the couple’s reunion. The latter is ready to help. Daisy and Gatsby reestablish their connection. Meanwhile, Tom grows suspicious and starts investigating Gatsby’s affairs.
The true story of James Gatz is told here. He was born in a poor family and earned his fortune as a bootlegger. Tom and Daisy come to Gatsby’s party. Daisy doesn’t seem to enjoy it, while Tom wants to find out how Gatsby has earned his money.
One day, the whole company is gathered at the Plaza Hotel. Tom and Gatsby have a showdown over Daisy who is not ready to leave her husband. Daisy and Gatsby return to East Egg, and the car hits Myrtle. Gatsby wants to take the blame, though Daisy was driving.
Nick sees Jay alive for the last time. Tom tells Myrtle’s husband, George Wilson, that Gatsby killed his wife, and tells where to find him. George makes his way to Gatsby’s mansion, shoots him, and then commits suicide.
Nick arranges Gatsby’s funeral. Only two people come, one of whom is Gatsby’s father. Daisy and Tom leave Long Island together, giving no forwarding address. Nick moves back to the Midwest.