The Great Gatsby, written by F. Scott Fitzgerald, is a novel set in the Roaring 20's on Long Island about narrator Nick Carraway's interactions with an enigmatic man named Jay Gatsby and the many escapdes involving the two. Nick Carraway moves to Long Island to become a bond salesman, as he was aware of the fame and fortune found there. He lives in West Egg, which is the half of Long Island known for "new money". His small shack is right next door to Gatsby's.
One day, Nick is invited to his cousin Daisy Buchanan's house for a party of sorts. The other guests are Jordan Baker, a pro golfer, and Tom Buchanan, Daisy's husband. The two live in East Egg, which is revered for "old money". Upon hearing of Nick's living situation, Tom goes on about how he is disgusted by the people living in West Egg. While eating dinner, the phone rings. The caller on the other line is Myrtle Wilson, Tom's mistress. This call leads to a large argument and marks the end of the party. Before he leaves, Nick talks with Daisy about her thoughts on the whole Tom Myrtle situation.
A few days later, Nick and Tom head into the city. On the way, Tom stops by the Valley of Ashes to meet up with Myrtle Wilson, a mechanic, who also happens to be Tom's mistress. Together they head back to an apartment that Tom had bought for them. Nick, Tom, Myrtle, and a few other guests get drunk and have a party. The party concludes when Tom slaps Myrtle across the face for mentioning Daisy.
Days later, Nick is formally invited to a party at Gatsby's house, something that has never once occurred prior. While at the party he finds Jordan and eventually Jay Gatsby himself. Gatsby invites Nick to go into the city the next day.
In the morning, Gatsby takes Nick into the city to have lunch at a speakeasy. During the car ride, Gatsby tells Nick of his past as a war hero and shows many accolades to prove his stories. At the speakeasy, Nick is introduced to a man named Meyer Wolfsheim, who runs illegal business with Gatsby. Gatsby asks Nick to set up a date with the two of them and Daisy, so that he can reconvene with her after 5 years. Nick follows through, not knowing that this would turn into an affair between Gatsby and Daisy.
Months later, Gatsby is invited to The Buchanan's so Tom can get to know Gatsby more. Tom notices the affair between Gatsby and Daisy and the get-together gets tense. Gatsby exclaims that Daisy never loved Tom and that she wanted to be with him. The group decides to cool off by heading into the city. Tom insists on taking Gatsby's car and going with Jordan and Nick, while Gatsby and Daisy take Tom's car. Tom gets gas at Myrtle's garage before meeting up with Gatsby and Daisy.
While heading back to East Egg, the two groups switched back to their own cars. Myrtle, who thought Tom was still driving Gatsby's car, gets in front of the car, hoping that she could get Tom's attention. She is then struck by the car and killed instantly. When he gets to the scene, George Wilson asks who killed her wife, and Tom said that it was Gatsby. George then goes to Gatsby's house and shoots Gatsby and then himself.
Several days after Gatsby's murder, a funeral is held for him. Only a few people show up: Nick, Owl Eyes, a few servants, and, surprisingly, Gatsby's father, James Gatz. Daisy and Tom left the city before the funeral. Later, Nick stands on Gatsby's dock, staring off at the green light at the end of Daisy's dock one last time.