Chapter 3: Iii

This chapter
Characters 34
Places 13
Nick attends a lavish, crowded party at Gatsby's mansion, where he meets Jordan Baker and eventually the mysterious Jay Gatsby himself. The evening is filled with wild rumors about Gatsby's past and ends with a bizarre car accident outside the estate. Nick also reflects on his summer life in New York and his developing, though cautious, relationship with the 'incurably dishonest' Jordan Baker.

On stage

Nick Carraway Nick attends his first party at Gatsby's mansion, meets Gatsby for the first time, and spends the evening with Jordan Baker. He also describes his daily life in New York and his growing feelings for Jordan.
Jay Gatsby Gatsby hosts a lavish party, meets Nick in the garden without initially identifying himself, and later has a long, private conversation with Jordan Baker.
Jordan Baker Jordan spends the evening at Gatsby's party with Nick, is summoned for a private hour-long meeting with Gatsby, and later spends time with Nick throughout the summer.
The man with owl-eyed spectacles He is discovered by Nick and Jordan in the library and is later involved in a car accident outside the gates after the party.
Lucille She sits with Nick and Jordan at the party, sharing rumors about Gatsby and the story of the replacement dress.
The other girl in yellow She participates in the gossip about Gatsby and performs a musical act at the party.
Jordan's escort He accompanies Jordan's group from East Egg and later engages in a conversation with chorus girls.
The red-haired lady She performs a song while crying and eventually falls asleep in a chair.
The pale individual He emerges from the wrecked car after the party, appearing completely unaware of the severity of the accident.
Gatsby's chauffeur He delivers a formal invitation to Nick's house.
Gatsby's butler He informs Gatsby of phone calls from Chicago and Philadelphia and tells Jordan that Gatsby wants to speak with her.

Mentioned

Mrs. Claud Roosevelt Mentioned as the person who brought 'Owl Eyes' to the party.
Gilda Gray Mentioned when a guest begins dancing.
Vladmir Tostoff His music is performed at the party.
Mrs. Sigourney Howard Mentioned by Jordan as the name Nick should look for in the phone book.
The girl from Jersey City Mentioned in Nick's summary of his summer activities.
The girl back home village Mentioned as the reason Nick hesitates to fully commit to Jordan.

Settings

Gatsby's Mansion A massive, luxurious estate in West Egg featuring blue gardens, a beach, a swimming pool, and a high Gothic library with carved English oak. It is the site of frequent, extravagant parties.
New York City The bustling city where Nick works. Described as having 'white chasms' and a 'racy, adventurous feel' at night.
Probity Trust A financial institution in lower New York where Nick works as a bond salesman.
The Yale Club A club in New York where Nick usually takes dinner.
Warwick A place where Nick and Jordan attended a house-party and where Nick discovered the truth about Jordan's dishonesty.
Main 8

Nick Carraway

Also known as: Nick

The narrator, a young man from a prominent Middle Western family. He graduated from New Haven in 1915, fought in the Great War (specifically the Twenty-eighth Infantry of the First Division), and moved East in 1922 to enter the bond business. He describes himself as someone who reserves judgment and is one of the few honest people he has ever known. He lives in a small bungalow in West Egg. He is slow-thinking and follows interior rules that act as brakes on his desires.

Daisy Buchanan second cousin once removedTom Buchanan college acquaintance and senior society memberJordan Baker romantic interest/acquaintanceMr. Gatsby neighborMyrtle Wilson acquaintance +5 more
Chapters 1, 2, 3

Jay Gatsby

Also known as: Mr. Gatsby, Jay, James Gatz, Jim Gatz, Trimalchio, Jimmy

Nick's wealthy neighbor in West Egg. He is an elegant young roughneck, a year or two over thirty, with a tanned skin and short hair. He has a rare, understanding smile that offers eternal reassurance. He speaks with an elaborate formality that borders on the absurd and frequently uses the phrase 'old sport.' Rumors about him abound: that he killed a man, was a German spy, or is a relative of Kaiser Wilhelm. He claims to be an 'Oxford man,' though some doubt this. He does not drink at his own parties and remains a somewhat isolated figure despite his hospitality.

Nick Carraway neighborJordan Baker guest and private confidanteDaisy Buchanan former lover and current obsessionTom Buchanan rival and social antagonist
Chapters 1, 2, 3

Daisy Buchanan

Nick's second cousin once removed and Tom's wife. Her name is used as a provocation by Myrtle.

Tom Buchanan wifeNick Carraway second cousin once removedJordan Baker childhood friend from LouisvilleThe Baby motherJay Gatsby former lover +1 more
Chapters 1, 2

Tom Buchanan

A former football star at New Haven and Daisy's husband. He is enormously wealthy, sturdy, straw-haired, and has a supercilious, aggressive manner. He is unfaithful to his wife and maintains an apartment in New York for his mistress. He is prone to violence, as shown when he breaks Myrtle's nose.

Daisy Buchanan husbandNick Carraway college acquaintanceJordan Baker friendThe woman in New York lover/mistressMyrtle Wilson lover/mistress +2 more
Chapters 1, 2

Jordan Baker

Also known as: Jordan

A professional golfer and friend of the Buchanans. She is slender, erect, and has grey, sun-strained eyes with a jaunty, athletic carriage. She is described as incurably dishonest and once faced a scandal for allegedly moving her ball in a tournament. She avoids clever, shrewd men to maintain her cool, insolent facade. She is a 'rotten driver' who believes it takes two to make an accident.

Daisy Buchanan childhood friendTom Buchanan friendNick Carraway acquaintance/potential romantic interestJay Gatsby guest and private confidanteMrs. Sigourney Howard niece
Chapters 1, 3

The Finnish woman

A servant in Nick's house who makes his bed and cooks breakfast.

Nick Carraway servant
Chapter 1

Myrtle Wilson

Also known as: Mrs. Wilson, Myrtle

Tom Buchanan's mistress and George Wilson's wife. She is in her middle thirties, faintly stout but carries herself sensuously with a perceptible vitality. She is unhappy in her eleven-year marriage and acts with an air of affected hauteur when away from the garage.

Tom Buchanan mistress/loverGeorge B. Wilson wifeCatherine sisterNick Carraway acquaintance
Chapter 2

George B. Wilson

Also known as: Wilson

The proprietor of a garage in the valley of ashes. He is a blond, spiritless, anaemic man who appears covered in ashen dust. He is described by Tom as being too 'dumb' to know his wife is having an affair.

Myrtle Wilson husbandTom Buchanan business acquaintance/potential car buyerJay Gatsby murderer
Chapter 2
Secondary 15

The Butler

A servant at the Buchanan household. Daisy tells a story about how his nose was affected by polishing silver.

Tom Buchanan servantDaisy Buchanan servant
Chapter 1

The Baby

Also known as: Pammy

The three-year-old daughter of Tom and Daisy Buchanan.

Daisy Buchanan daughterTom Buchanan daughter
Chapter 1

Catherine

Myrtle Wilson's sister. She is a slender, worldly girl of about thirty with red hair and a milky white complexion. She claims to have traveled to Monte Carlo.

Myrtle Wilson sisterNick Carraway acquaintance/party guest
Chapter 2

Mr. McKee

Also known as: Chester

A pale, feminine man who lives in the flat below the New York apartment. He is a photographer in the 'artistic game.'

Mrs. McKee husbandMyrtle Wilson neighbor/acquaintanceNick Carraway acquaintance
Chapter 2

Mrs. McKee

Also known as: Lucille

A girl in a yellow dress who attends Gatsby's parties. She is confident and gossipy. Gatsby once sent her a new evening gown worth $265 after she tore hers at one of his parties.

Mr. McKee wifeJay Gatsby guest and recipient of his generosityJordan Baker acquaintance
Chapters 2, 3

The dog seller

A grey old man selling puppies on the street in New York.

Chapter 2

The elevator boy

A servant at the apartment building in New York.

Chapter 2

The Italian child

A young boy seen near the railroad tracks in the valley of ashes.

Chapter 2

The man with owl-eyed spectacles

Also known as: Owl Eyes

A stout, middle-aged man with enormous owl-eyed spectacles. He is found drunk in Gatsby's library, marvelling at the fact that the books are real rather than cardboard. He has been drunk for about a week.

Jay Gatsby guestMrs. Claud Roosevelt acquaintance who brought him to the party
Chapter 3

The other girl in yellow

A girl in a yellow dress who accompanies Lucille. She and Lucille later perform a 'baby act' in costume. She is the one who suggests Gatsby might have killed a man.

Lucille companionJay Gatsby guest
Chapter 3

Jordan's escort

A persistent undergraduate who acts as Jordan's escort at the party. He is cynical, melancholy, and given to violent innuendo.

Jordan Baker escort and admirer
Chapter 3

The red-haired lady

A tall, red-haired young lady from a famous chorus. She gets very drunk at the party and weeps while singing.

Jay Gatsby guest
Chapter 3

The pale individual

A pale, dangling individual who is the actual driver of the car that crashes into the ditch. He is extremely disoriented and suggests trying to drive the car in reverse despite the wheel being off.

The man with owl-eyed spectacles passenger/companion in the car
Chapter 3

Gatsby's chauffeur

A servant of Gatsby who delivers the invitation to Nick.

Jay Gatsby employee
Chapter 3

Gatsby's butler

A servant at Gatsby's house who handles phone calls and summons Jordan.

Jay Gatsby employee
Chapter 3
Mentioned 11
Nick's Father He is mentioned in the opening paragraphs for the advice he gave Nick and for financing Nick's first year in the East.
Nick's Great-Uncle Mentioned as the true founder of the family business and the subject of a painting in Nick's father's office.
The woman in New York She interrupts dinner by calling Tom on the telephone.
Doctor T. J. Eckleburg The billboard is used by Wilson as a symbol for God watching over the world's sins.
Mrs. Eberhardt Mentioned by Myrtle in a complaint about service costs.
Mrs. Claud Roosevelt Mentioned as the person who brought 'Owl Eyes' to the party.
Gilda Gray Mentioned when a guest begins dancing.
Vladmir Tostoff His music is performed at the party.
Mrs. Sigourney Howard Mentioned by Jordan as the name Nick should look for in the phone book.
The girl from Jersey City Mentioned in Nick's summary of his summer activities.
The girl back home village Mentioned as the reason Nick hesitates to fully commit to Jordan.
Main 9

West Egg

A less fashionable but still wealthy community on Long Island where Nick and Gatsby live.

  • Nick rents a small bungalow here.
  • Nick sees Gatsby standing on his lawn at night.
Chapter 1

East Egg

A very fashionable and wealthy community on Long Island where the Buchanans live in a Georgian Colonial mansion.

  • Nick visits the Buchanans for dinner.
  • Tom discusses his racial theories.
  • Daisy confesses her unhappiness to Nick.
Chapter 1

The Buchanans' House

A large, elaborate red-and-white Georgian Colonial mansion overlooking the bay, featuring French windows and a sunken Italian garden.

  • The dinner party takes place here.
  • Tom receives a phone call from his mistress.
  • The group has lunch during a heatwave.
  • Daisy kisses Gatsby when Tom leaves the room.
  • Gatsby meets Daisy's daughter, Pammy.
  • Tom realizes Daisy and Gatsby are having an affair.
  • Nick and Gatsby return here after the accident; Nick sees Tom and Daisy conspiring in the kitchen.
Chapter 1

Gatsby's Mansion

A massive, luxurious estate in West Egg featuring blue gardens, a beach, a swimming pool, and a high Gothic library with carved English oak. It is the site of frequent, extravagant parties.

  • Nick observes the mansion from his neighboring yard.
  • Nick attends a massive party here.
  • Nick meets Gatsby for the first time.
  • Gatsby and Jordan have a private meeting in the library.
  • A car accident occurs just outside the gates.
  • Gatsby shows Daisy and Nick through his many rooms.
  • Daisy cries over Gatsby's collection of imported shirts.
  • Klipspringer plays the piano for the group.
  • A reporter visits to ask for a statement.
  • Tom Buchanan, Mr. Sloane, and a woman arrive on horseback for a drink.
  • Gatsby hosts a large party attended by Tom and Daisy Buchanan.
  • Gatsby and Daisy dance and later talk privately on Nick's porch.
  • Gatsby and Nick talk late into the night about repeating the past.
  • Gatsby tells Nick the story of his past with Daisy.
  • Gatsby waits for a phone call from Daisy.
  • Gatsby is shot and killed in his swimming pool.
Chapters 1, 3

The Middle West

The region where Nick grew up and where his family business is located; he finds it too quiet after the war.

  • Nick decides to leave this area to move East.
  • Nick decides to return here.
  • Nick reminisces about returning home for Christmas during his youth.
Chapter 1

The valley of ashes

A desolate, industrial wasteland between West Egg and New York where ashes grow like wheat and the air is powdery with dust. It is overlooked by the billboard of Doctor T. J. Eckleburg.

  • Tom and Nick get off the train here to visit Wilson's garage.
  • Tom arranges to meet Myrtle in the city.
Chapter 2

Wilson's Garage

An unprosperous and bare building on the edge of the valley of ashes, containing a garage and an office.

  • Tom and Nick meet George Wilson here.
  • Tom and Myrtle arrange their secret meeting.
  • Tom stops for gas in Gatsby's car.
  • Wilson reveals he is sick and wants to move West.
  • Myrtle watches from a window, misidentifying Jordan as Tom's wife.
  • Myrtle is killed in the road outside the garage.
  • Tom, Nick, and Jordan stop and discover Myrtle's body.
  • Michaelis stays with a grieving George Wilson.
  • Wilson finds the silver dog-leash and decides to seek revenge.
Chapter 2

The New York Apartment

A small, crowded apartment on the top floor of a building at 158th Street, filled with oversized tapestried furniture.

  • Tom, Myrtle, and Nick host a small, drunken party with the McKees and Catherine.
  • Tom breaks Myrtle's nose during an argument about Daisy.
Chapter 2

Pennsylvania Station

A major railway station in New York City.

  • The group arrives here from the valley of ashes.
  • Nick ends up here in the early morning waiting for his train home.
Chapter 2
Secondary 4

New York City

The bustling city where Nick works. Described as having 'white chasms' and a 'racy, adventurous feel' at night.

Probity Trust

A financial institution in lower New York where Nick works as a bond salesman.

The Yale Club

A club in New York where Nick usually takes dinner.

Warwick

A place where Nick and Jordan attended a house-party and where Nick discovered the truth about Jordan's dishonesty.

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