1.When Nick and Daisy have their first real conversation as cousins. “We don’t know each other very well, Nick”…”Even if we are cousins. You didn’t come to my wedding”(16).
“It made me uneasy. As though the whole evening had been a trick or some sort to exact a contributary emotion from me… in a moment she looked at me with an absolute smirk on her lovely face, as if she had asserted her membership in a rather distinguished secret society to which she and Tom belonged”(17). The first chapter introduces many of the characters, and you learn that Nick is the narrator, and Daisy is the beautiful and lavish wife who will become the main part of the story. Even though these two characters have known they are family, they have never established a formal relationship, and this is the beginning of one. Later in the story, Nick’s relationship with Daisy becomes vital to the basis of the problem with Gatsby.
2. Tom breaks Myrtle’s nose because she continues to talk about Daisy. “Some time toward midnight Tom Buchanan and Mrs. Wilson stood face to face, discussing in impassioned voices whether Mrs. Wilson had any right to mention Daisy’s name…Daisy! Daisy! Daisy!... I’ll say it whenever I want to!” (37).
“Making a short deft movement, Tom Buchanan broke her nose with his open hand”(37). Tom, Daisy’s unfaithful husband, and father of her child, is a condescending bully who wants everything his way. He cheats on Daisy with Myrtle, and at a dinner when she continues to Talk about Daisy, he breaks her nose because she wouldn’t listen to his asking of omitting her from their conversation. This moment is important because is proves how severe Tom’s “love” is for Daisy as well as his uncontrollable anger and temper he takes out on others.
3. Nick and Gatsby’s first confrontation. “This is an unusual party for me. I haven’t even seen the host. I live over there—“ I waved my hand at the invisible hedge in the distance, “and this man Gatsby sent over his chauffeur with an invitation”(47).
“I’m Gatsby… I thought you knew old sport. I’m afraid I’m not a good host”(48). Nick is the Neighbor of this unknown Gatsby; he receives an invitation to one of his parties. When Nick talks about Gatsby to a man there, it ends up being the man himself, and they become friends quickly and bond over past events. Their meeting creates trouble and tension between the lovers in the book, but the friendship in Gatsby’s eyes is great because it gives him a chance to get closer with Daisy and a wingman on his side. His blending in like a guest at his own party shows his unfortunate need not to be noticed for reasons no one knows.
4. Nick discovers Gatsby’s reasoning for living where he does and doing what he does- that are all calculated moves to win back Daisy. “Gatsby bought that house so that Daisy would just be across the bay”(78). “The modesty of the demand shook me. He had waited five years and bought a mansion where he dispensed starlight to casual moths—so that he could ‘come over’ some afternoon to a stranger’s garden”(78).
“I think he half expected her to wander into one of his parties, some night, but she never did. Then he began asking people casually if they knew her, and I was the first one he found”(79). Nick barely knows Gatsby, and he also barely knows his cousin Daisy, and to learn that they knew each other five years ago and his life plan was to get her back, confused Nick and doubts his knowledge of Gatsby’s wealth and past jobs. Gatsby’s life is a plan, every single thing he does is to get the attention of his love, and without creating enemies or having other people hate him.
5.Daisy and Gatsby finally reconnect at tea. “As I went over to say good-by, I saw that the expression of bewilderment had come back into Gatsby’s face, as though a faint doubt had occurred to him as to the quality of his present happiness”(95).
“They had forgotten me, but Daisy glanced up and held out her hand; Gatsby didn’t know me now at all. I looked