Video SparkNotes: F. Scott Fitzgerald's The Great Gatsby summary 

I read a total of 10 pages of this book. Watched this video and got an 87% on my test for the fucking win

“Gatsby dies in part because he’s obsessed with the past.” That line hit the heart.

Two corrections, a little nit-picky, but Gatsby is actually from North Dakota, though he attended school in Minnesota. Nick's the one who was born in Minnesota. Also Nick broke up with Jordan in person, though they did have a fight over the phone. Just throwing that out there, just because I know at least the whole state thing could come up on someone's test.

i gotta give it to you sparknotes, without this, i wouldve failed my final

Daisy is nicks cousin

Did anyone else watch this for school lol

Literally just discovered the whole "Nick Carraway may be not-straight aka had an adult sleepover with Mr. McKee" thing. Thanks college. Letting me in on secrets high school somehow kept from me.

Please keep in mind folks, this book was written in 1925. There was no television, no smart phones or tablets. Reading was the ONLY source of entertainment. The basic theme in this book was the class system. Old money vs. new money.

i don’t think daisy was sad because the shirt quality i think she was sad because she realized she could’ve had the money and happiness if she waited for gatsby

Another correction, Daisy and Nick are not just friends, they’re second cousins.

Great summary. I've noticed that the story ends in Tom's favor. He keeps Daisy; and the "competition" and other love interest are gone in one "swoop."

I remember many years ago, while reading this in high school, we read the chapter where nick went home with another man in class. The latter part of the chapter is written in an unclear manner. Nobody really understood what was happening until at the end of the chapter when one girl blurted out "THEY HAD SEX!" What followed was the universal "Ohhhhhh" and then laughter.

Nick's father told him to remember when he wants to criticize someone that he needs to remember that they may not of had the same advantages as he. As a result, he has formed a habit to reserve all judgement. Gatsby represents hope. He had to die because of the sin of chasing a single dream for too long (post other important information that can appear on a test that isn't in this video below

This makes me feel proud because I read this book in full of my own will two years ago, re-read part of it a week ago before seeing the new movie, and now I'm watching this video because these summaries always help me understand things. I can definitely see myself watching this just for school purposes, which is why I am proud.

just like the book. i couldn't finish this video.

You mentions this minor scene with Nick and Mckee but doesn't even talk about Nick's relationship with Jorden? If I hadn't read the book I would have assumed that Nick is gay.

It's not specifically mentioned but it is definitely hinted at: in Chapter Two, after Myrtle's party there is a degree of phallic innuendo in the elevator, "Keep your hands off the lever", and then the character only remembers "standing beside his bed and he was sitting up between the sheets, clad in his underwear". There's also his attraction to Jordan, who is always described as having a rather masculine figure or not being conventionally pretty.

I never saw it as Nick and Jordan "dating," they were just there, sometimes together.

I love how Fitzgerald describes America's streets during summer , how he also describes luxurious life in details , fireworks , beers , dresses , glow . Appreciate the Nobel winner guy . Don't forget to watch the movie version

watching this for my english exam tomorrow

As an AP student who has 2 essays due tomorrow over this book. I thank you

Nick has a one night stand with Mr. McKee in the end of chapter 2 if you guys didn’t catch that. 😂 The descriptions are so cleverly worded it’s worth reading honestly!

Very interesting book with a lot of hidden facts. This is one of the most boring books I've ever read, but also interesting at the same time.. Not sure if it's a good or bad book...

Do people really watch this instead of reading the book?

this video touched on something extremely overlooked and that is thst gatsby had it all but was still bummed out because he had a great girl and lost her but really getting her back wouldn't make him feel better and in fact got him killed

This is helping me graduate

the video didn't even talk about owl eyes he was an important person and symbol in this story

For anyone struggling to read it, try the audiobook - I found it way easier and the reader gives the script more life because you hear what's supposed to be dramatic or funny

Most people: "I have a Gatsby test, let's watch video sparknotes!" Me: "Can't get enough of Gatsby- let's watch video sparknotes!"

Daisy: Gatsby what beautiful shirts you have! Gatsby: better to draw you in to my weird high-class fantasyland with my dear.... Nick: ......

Some of these comments drive me crazy. People need to understand the big ideas and themes in this book. That's what makes it so worth while. I personally loved the book. The amount of symbolism found in the book is crazy but it helps add so much depth and makes the book a lot more interesting. Some people have no appreciation for great American classics.

Got that test tmrw guys, ill get back to you guys.

Its so suprising to see a gay character in a book from the '20s

Daisy is Nick's cousin they aren't just rich friends, I've read this book three times and this is the most boring summary ever.

As someone who only watches this for school made me shocked and sad at the ending. I didn't expect that!!!!!

Just realized--Nick Carraway was bisexual? I read the book a very long time ago, and I vaguely remember the scene where Nick took that man to his house after the party. But I thought it was only to talk or something. Now I'm like, ahhhhhhh....

Idk why, but this book was just confusing. I read the whole thing, but this really brought it all together.

I love you guys at sparknotes so much! Thank you for everything you're doing.

Am I the only one who just watches this video bc The Great Gatsby is the best novel ever written! Anyone?

I thought Nick and Daisy were cousins?

it feels like teachers formulate the true/false questions just so perfectly that using only sparknotes will screw you over

This is a mature novel that takes someone who understands the vocabulary and the deep aspects (including symbolism) of it to understand. When I first read it during school, I was bored out of my mind, maybe it was because I was too young to understand or too distracted to care. Since I am on the autism spectrum, I have a hard time understanding "social situations" (especially complex ones) which comprises the majority of the novel (or maybe all of it). If I didn't have autism, maybe I would understand the novel fully, but who knows. Most people who read novels only care about the plot, not about the deeper elements within. Basically, even though many of the characters in the novel act out in a civilized yet uncivilized manner (partying, drinking, smoking, lavish clothes, girlfriends, boyfriends, money, good conversation, etc.) it causes "drama" within the situations, thus causing negative consequences. To sum it up, this novel places in the philosophical category as well as the drama category, which is why many literature scholars and avid readers enjoy this novel so much. It causes them to question society (especially the American society, including the concept of the "American Dream") as a whole while incorporating Jazz Age elements due to the time period at the time (the roaring 20's). The "drama" within the novel makes it even more interesting to read. I am not recommending that you read the novel because everyone's tastes are different. If you have taste in philosophy and drama yet you want it to somehow promote the deprivation of society in the extreme, this is the novel for you. Otherwise, there are plenty of "American Classics" to read besides "The Great Gatsby." Some include "Of Mice and Men," "A Raisin in the Sun," "Adventures of Huckleberry Finn," "To Kill a Mockingbird," etc.

It saddens me that a lot of people watching this "couldn't be bothered" by reading the book. This is a great piece of literature and it needs to be read to be fully understood.

It’s worth noting (because it is phrased here that they are just “friends”) that Daisy is Nick’s cousin. Tom also attended New Haven College at Yale with Nick

00:39 who let Beiber drive

Brilliant, loved it. Great summary and analysis. Thank you so much. "You can try to be what you are not, but your true nature will return with full violence" -Seneca

Damn Leo was so amazing as gatsby. It’s such a sad story

I never heard of Sparknotes 'til halfway through the 11th grade english class haha! I didn't know about Sparknotes VIDEO until nearly the end of grade 12 english when we were reading The Crucible! It helped SO much!! Thanks Sparknotes!

Best part is Nick and the photagrapher he wakes up to. Ayyyyyyeeee

Am I like the only person who enjoyed reading this book in high school?

Excellent presentation - if I were to take a literature exam, this would have helped me pass it! One extremely minor point about the video itself: When it depicts Gatsby's yacht, the vessel is not a boat from the 1920's - it is a boat from the 1990's or 2000's. A vessel from the 20's would not have a radar arch on it!

Thank you for having this up for free.

this summary has been of great help!!! thank you a lot!!!! you provide excellent material!

I love this book! The characters are awesome and the plot is very well written.

To everyone who is not just cramming for a test and is actually interested in the book....I HIGHLY suggest reading it. two weeks ago i watched the video and paused it before the end knowing i was going to read it simply because its an important part of american literature. But the book is so much more then that it gives you insights on people and social thinking in a way no other book does. Please everyone take time to bask in the uniqueness and genius that is the book "the great gatsby."

I will always be indebted to sparknotes

This was an utterly sad and heartbreaking story.

You saved my life, I have to represent the book in 3 days, and I haven't read it yet

I like how people ask things like “who watched this for school?” I’m sitting here thinking nah man this is the life. I love watching summaries of a weird rich dudes struggle to find love. I thought to myself when I woke up, yup today’s the day to lose my happiness and so I watched this. Serious thanks for the summary though, it’s very helpful and even though it might not always be the most enjoyable, it’s worth while, especially the aspect of being able to complain about it with friends.

sparknotes you have to be one of the best things ever most love!!

4:05 "THOSE ARE THE MOST BEAUTIFUL SHIRTS EVER.......i promised myself i wasnt going to cry." WTF? Who gets upset over shirts quality..... 5:22 "I never loved you......lol jk bro." WTFFFFFFFF!!!!!

This is one of the greatest books that I have ever read.

I was too lazy to read the book...or read the summary. I'm so glad that this is on youtube.

U forgot owl eyes

I never read the book, we're just having a Gatsby themed dance at school. Just from this, Daisy sounds like the biggest effing gold digger on the planet. Nick- cool dude. I hope this is telling me he's gay because if he's not then mad awkward. Gatsby....idk man...you tried....but not really.... I don't understand why an entire comity could agree that this is the best thing to have a dance about -_-

the book says nothing about nick going home with another man

Spark notes is a life saver

Thank you for this, really came in clutch!

Great synopsis - thank you. The " greatest American novel of all time " for me, just joins a long list of books, bestsellers quite a few of them, who are totally irrelevant to the world we are living in now. They were irrelevant to the world and time they were written in.The fictitious rich and idle having their often self created problems... an inspiration to us all ?

Have my A2 English Literature exam tomorrow- this was very helpful for last minute ideas. Thank you!

Yessss, I was hoping there was something like this on the interwebs.

I have a test tomorrow on this and I haven’t read a single page, this page owner is a saint

if it weren't for the movie and sparknote, I would have been very lost in the book :P

Well now on virtual classes, I'll just search up every question 💀

really well explained, thanks for the upload

Thanks for the summary. Really good and helped a lot.

I started to read this book. When I was done with Ch. 1 I felt confused so I looked up what the book here on Sparknotes to further understand the story. After seeing the comments on Nick's sexuality, I read Ch. 2 and I realized all the debate on it. This is my opinion: Nick IS gay because after carefully reading the first two chapters, he describes Myrtle's sister as 'handsome' and Mr. McKee 'feminine'. He also described Jordan Baker as a 'young cadet'. And then there's the part where he follows Mr. McKee at the end of the chapter. This lead me to believe that he is gay.

PSA GATSBY WAS FROM NORTH DAKOTA NOT MINNESOTA

Thanks a lot, for summing it up! it helped me a lot!

Thank you for your nice work

I'm Indonesian and don't have any school task to summarize this great piece of literature. I read it (so many times) because i want to and it's a classic story. I wish I have to write a summary or at least discuss it with people in my class. It's improbable though.

the ending is very tragic you feel bad not just for Gatsby but for nick as well

The illustrations were beautiful

Thanks for the great video, hopefully it will help me pass my test tomorrow!!

My favorite book!

This video is absolutely riddled with errors. I think the comments have covered most of it. Just make sure to read those if you're watching this for school.

This just saved my life.

Thank you for including the point of the story at the end, instead of "just the story". :)

i am so depressed... gatsby poor fellow

Nick goes to visit some friends in East Egg? Daisy is Nick's distant cousin.

Such an amazing book.

Greatest book report of all time

2:07 they make it seem like nick had a one-night stand w mr. mckee for a few seconds there ngl

Thank you very much for your awesome work. I've got a test tomorrow and I've lost the book, so i can't read it^^ You might have saved my ass with this :) Thanks again !

This video is a life saver.

Just finished the book. Can't wait for the movie!

Oh - also, Nick didn't fall in love with Gatsby! Gatsby represented "everything for which" Nick had "an unaffected scorn" and he "disapproved of him from beginning to end". Although he somewhat admired him at the same time, love is too strong a word. The fact is that for most (if not all) of the book Nick hardly knew who Gatsby even was, let alone could trust or love him, and certainly not what he represented either (love of mammon) - this after all was eventually got him killed!

Strangely enough, even though I was an English lit major, this book never made it onto any of my reading list, neither high school nor college. After I saw the movie I fell in love with it and watched twice and went and bought the book and read it three days. Awesome book. F. Scott Fitzgerald = one awesome writer. The Great Gatsby = one really great American novel!

"Nick kind of falls in love with Gatsby" - Sparknotes

Exam on this Monday, let’s hope this comes in clutch