

“I’ve been drunk for about a week now, and I thought it might sober me up to sit in a library.” Owl Eyes explains his reason for being there: Both Owl Eyes and Nick are surprised that the floor-to-ceiling library shelves are filled with real books, not fake book bindings. As they walk through Gatsby’s mansion, they end up in the library, where they meet a man called Owl Eyes. She’s with an undergrad student, whom she immediately ditches for Nick. Nick is happy to see that Jordan Baker is there (read Jordan Baker Quotes here). It’s a wild mix of guests with Old Money people, New Money people, East Eggers mixing with West Eggers, and some unknown guests who may have wandered there by mistake. Nick gives a rundown on the rich and famous (from the 1920s) that he recognizes. The place is packed with all sorts of people. In addition to Gatsby’s mansion, there is live music, dancing girls, a huge swimming pool, not to mention a lavish buffet and drinks. Nick attends the party and is shocked by what he sees. He doesn’t know the host, only some rumors, so he wonders why he is the only person who received a written invitation.

While he’s heard the other lavish parties that are thrown at Gatsby’s mansion every weekend, Nick hasn’t actually attended since he hasn’t met the man.Ī formal invitation is sent to Nick, and he seems quite surprised. Nick actually receives a written invitation to one of the parties at Gatsby’s house. What Happens in Chapter 3 of The Great Gatsby? Keep reading for a full summary and annotation or if you are short on time read my summary of The Great Gatsby.

We also are introduced to several of the main characters, but what happens in Chapter 3?Īre we finally going to meet the mysterious Gatsby himself? We’ve heard a few rumors about Gatsby in earlier chapters. If you need to know what happens in The Great Gatsby but don’t have time to read the entire book, this summary of Chapter 3 will help get you up to speed.
