Home > Q&A by Experts > Literature >
Q

What Is Gatsby Doing When Nick First Sees Him?

A

The first time Nick sees Gatsby when going back home from a party at the Buchanan house. He notices Gatsby mysteriously standing on the lawn with his hands stretched forward. It seems like he was watching the stars, but then it becomes clear that he glazes at the green light. Nick is thinking about whether he should introduce himself to the new neighbor.

Detailed answer:

In the first chapter, Nick got invited to dinner at his cousin’s Daisy place in East Egg. After the evening, he goes back home to the West Egg, where he meets Gatsby for the first time. Nick sees Jay Gatsby standing on his lawn daydreaming. The man is looking at the green light that comes from Daisy Buchanan’s house located on the other side of the pond. Daisy is the former lover he once lost. And wistful glances at the other side demonstrate Gatsby’s desire to get his beloved woman back. The light is too far for Gatsby to reach it, which carries a special meaning.

It symbolizes how impossible it is for him and Daisy to be together again. She is married to Tom Buchanan, a rich and well-educated man. He is from an upper-class family suitable for Daisy’s social status. Gatsby is no match since he comes from a poor background with no connections.

While Nick is observing Gatsby, it appears to him that “the green light” does not belong to his friend any longer. As the reader finds out further in the story, Gatsby hosts large parties with great shows inviting almost everyone. It is all done with the only purpose – so that Daisy attends his event, and he can see her again.

Answer's rating:
Updated:
Ask your Question
(We won’t publish it)
Cite This page
You're welcome to use this expert's answer in your assignment. Be sure to cite it correctly

Reference

IvyPanda. (2024, August 21). What Is Gatsby Doing When Nick First Sees Him? https://ivypanda.com/q/what-is-gatsby-doing-when-nick-first-sees-him/

Work Cited

"What Is Gatsby Doing When Nick First Sees Him?" IvyPanda, 21 Aug. 2024, ivypanda.com/q/what-is-gatsby-doing-when-nick-first-sees-him/.

References

IvyPanda. (2024) 'What Is Gatsby Doing When Nick First Sees Him'. 21 August.

References

IvyPanda. 2024. "What Is Gatsby Doing When Nick First Sees Him?" August 21, 2024. https://ivypanda.com/q/what-is-gatsby-doing-when-nick-first-sees-him/.

1. IvyPanda. "What Is Gatsby Doing When Nick First Sees Him?" August 21, 2024. https://ivypanda.com/q/what-is-gatsby-doing-when-nick-first-sees-him/.


Bibliography


IvyPanda. "What Is Gatsby Doing When Nick First Sees Him?" August 21, 2024. https://ivypanda.com/q/what-is-gatsby-doing-when-nick-first-sees-him/.

Privacy Settings

IvyPanda uses cookies and similar technologies to enhance your experience, enabling functionalities such as:

  • Basic site functions
  • Ensuring secure, safe transactions
  • Secure account login
  • Remembering account, browser, and regional preferences
  • Remembering privacy and security settings
  • Analyzing site traffic and usage
  • Personalized search, content, and recommendations
  • Displaying relevant, targeted ads on and off IvyPanda

Please refer to IvyPanda's Cookies Policy and Privacy Policy for detailed information.

Required Cookies & Technologies
Always active

Certain technologies we use are essential for critical functions such as security and site integrity, account authentication, security and privacy preferences, internal site usage and maintenance data, and ensuring the site operates correctly for browsing and transactions.

Site Customization

Cookies and similar technologies are used to enhance your experience by:

  • Remembering general and regional preferences
  • Personalizing content, search, recommendations, and offers

Some functions, such as personalized recommendations, account preferences, or localization, may not work correctly without these technologies. For more details, please refer to IvyPanda's Cookies Policy.

Personalized Advertising

To enable personalized advertising (such as interest-based ads), we may share your data with our marketing and advertising partners using cookies and other technologies. These partners may have their own information collected about you. Turning off the personalized advertising setting won't stop you from seeing IvyPanda ads, but it may make the ads you see less relevant or more repetitive.

Personalized advertising may be considered a "sale" or "sharing" of the information under California and other state privacy laws, and you may have the right to opt out. Turning off personalized advertising allows you to exercise your right to opt out. Learn more in IvyPanda's Cookies Policy and Privacy Policy.