The Great Gatsby Timeline
Gatsby’s humble beginnings
James Gatz, a poor farm boy from North Dakota, reinvents himself as Jay Gatsby.
He meets Dan Cody, a wealthy copper mogul, who becomes his mentor and introduces him to a life of wealth.
Jay Gatsby meets Daisy Fay
Lieutenant Jay Gatsby meets and falls in love with Daisy Fay while stationed at Camp Taylor in Louisville, Kentucky.
This marks the beginning of Gatsby’s obsession with Daisy, which shapes the rest of his life.
Gatsby leaves for WWI
Gatsby is sent to fight in World War I, separating him from Daisy.
While Gatsby is overseas, Daisy marries Tom Buchanan, a wealthy Chicago man.
Gatsby buys West Egg mansion
Gatsby purchases a mansion in West Egg, directly across the bay from Daisy’s home in East Egg.
He throws extravagant parties every weekend in hopes that Daisy will attend one.
Nick’s first Gatsby party
Nick Carraway attends one of Gatsby’s legendary parties at the West Egg mansion.
This is where Nick first properly meets Gatsby, though he doesn’t realize it at first.
Nick Carraway moves to West Egg
Nick Carraway, Daisy’s cousin, rents a small house next to Gatsby’s mansion.
Nick becomes the narrator of the story and Gatsby’s confidant.
Tom’s affair with Myrtle
Tom Buchanan carries on an affair with Myrtle Wilson in New York City.
Nick accompanies Tom to one of their rendezvous in the city, witnessing Tom’s violent nature when he breaks Myrtle’s nose.
The green light
Nick observes Gatsby reaching toward the green light at the end of Daisy’s dock.
This becomes one of the novel’s most iconic symbols of Gatsby’s longing for Daisy and the American Dream.
Gatsby and Daisy reunite
Nick arranges a meeting between Gatsby and Daisy at Nick’s house.
Their reunion marks the beginning of their affair and Gatsby’s attempt to win Daisy back from Tom.
The tea party reunion
Gatsby nervously prepares for his reunion with Daisy at Nick’s house.
Gatsby goes to great lengths to impress Daisy, including having Nick’s lawn mowed and filling the house with flowers.
Gatsby reveals his past
Gatsby tells Nick about his Oxford education and war experiences.
He shows Nick his medal from Montenegro, attempting to prove his respectable background to Daisy.
The confrontation at the Plaza Hotel
Gatsby confronts Tom about Daisy, declaring that Daisy never loved him.
The tense confrontation reveals Gatsby’s criminal past and Daisy’s inability to fully commit to him.
The drive to New York
The group drives to New York City, stopping at the Plaza Hotel where the climactic confrontation occurs.
Tom exposes Gatsby’s bootlegging operations and Daisy’s inability to deny her love for Tom.
Myrtle Wilson’s death
Daisy, driving Gatsby’s car, accidentally hits and kills Myrtle Wilson, Tom’s mistress.
Gatsby takes the blame to protect Daisy, setting in motion the tragic conclusion.
Wilson discovers the car
George Wilson discovers that the car that killed his wife belongs to Gatsby.
Tom had told Wilson that Gatsby was the driver, leading to the tragic conclusion.
Gatsby’s death
George Wilson, believing Gatsby killed his wife Myrtle, shoots and kills Gatsby in his pool.
Gatsby dies alone, with only Nick and Gatsby’s father attending his funeral.
Nick’s reflection
Nick reflects on Gatsby’s life and the emptiness of the East Coast elite.
He decides to return to the Midwest, disillusioned by his experiences.