Description by: Emma 8T
After the party at Tom and Myrtle's apartment in New York we are shown another party at the beginning of chapter 3. This time, it is a huge and elaborate affair. It takes place at Gatsby's mansion. Gatsby's party is shown to us through the eyes of Nick who had been one of the only guests 'actually invited'. He describes the fantastic preparations.
'There was music from my neighbour's house through the summer nights. In his blue gardens men and girls came and went like moths among the whisperings and the champagne and the stars'.
Nick describes the great effort that goes into preparing for this event. There are domestics scurrying to and fro, gardeners, caterers and other helpers. He describes the food set on the tables and how wonderful it all looks,
'On buffet tables, garnished with glistening hors-d'oeuvre, spiced baked hams crowded against salads of harlequin designs and pastry pigs and turkeys bewitched to a dark gold.'
The orchestra is 'no thin five-piece affair' but 'a whole pitful of oboes and trombones and saxophones and viols and cornets and piccolos, and low and high drums.'
Gatsby's parties are wild. People don't mind behaving wildly because they don't know anybody and nobody knows them so they are not ashamed. Nick feels uneasy with all this behaviour around him and is relieved to find Jordan there, the only familiar face in a
'sea-change of faces and voices and colour under the constantly changing light.'
'The party has begun'.
Gatsby's Parties: picture from internet source
Description by: Emily 8T
As Nick leaves Gatsby's party, he notices him standing alone.
'A sudden emptiness seemed to flow now from the windows and the great doors, endowing with complete isolation the figure of the host, who stood on the porch, his hand up in a formal gesture of farewell.'
Nick loves New York and he loses contact with Jordan but then she gets in touch with him. Nick says that he wasn't in love with her but that he likes her even though she is very dishonest.
Not only does he discover that Jordan is a careless driver. She also borrowed a convertible and left the hood down when it was raining. Then she lied to the owner about it. Nick also remembers reading about a scandal when it was suggested that Jordan had cheated in a very important golf tournament. Nick forgives her dishonesty, perhaps because he likes her,
'Dishonesty in a woman is a thing you never blame deeply'.
The interesting thing is that Nick is quite the opposite. Nick already has a girlfriend 'back home' but before he can become involved with Jordan he wants to break off with her.
'Everyone suspects himself of at least one of the cardinal virtues, and this is mine: I am one of the few honest people that I have ever known'.