The bulk of Chapter 1 was exposition that would help a reader to better understand the story. Nick Carraway is introduced to the audience as a bond man that has recently moved to West Egg. He is not completely alone, as he knows his cousin and her husband, Daisy and Tom Buchanan. Getting to know Nick also includes understanding his mannerisms and motives. It is made clear that he is a very attentive and observant man, paying attention to intricate details of mostly people. “She was extended full length at her end of the divan, completely motionless and with her chin raised a little as if she were balancing something on it which was quite likely to fall.” This was his first impression of Miss Jordan Baker who is friends with Daisy and is a golfer professionally.
In a way, Nick’s attentiveness helps the audience to get to know the other characters as well. Tom is introduced as a tough man who “...among various physical accomplishments, had been one of the most powerful ends that ever played football at New Haven…”. This gives the reader a hint at how Tom will behave throughout the novel. Although Gatsby isn’t fully introduced yet, the reader can imply by Nick’s short description that he is a wealthy and mysterious man. Because Nick uses ethos to prove his credibility, the audience can trust him as a source for the rest of the novel. His descriptions of events and characters contribute to the plot of the story. Characters add to the plot of a story and it is important to understand why a character acts the way they do.
In a way, Nick’s attentiveness helps the audience to get to know the other characters as well. Tom is introduced as a tough man who “...among various physical accomplishments, had been one of the most powerful ends that ever played football at New Haven…”. This gives the reader a hint at how Tom will behave throughout the novel. Although Gatsby isn’t fully introduced yet, the reader can imply by Nick’s short description that he is a wealthy and mysterious man. Because Nick uses ethos to prove his credibility, the audience can trust him as a source for the rest of the novel. His descriptions of events and characters contribute to the plot of the story. Characters add to the plot of a story and it is important to understand why a character acts the way they do.