Write about some of the ways Fitzgerald tells the story in Chapter 3 of The Great Gatsby.Narrative voice, language, setting and structure.

You might like to focus on the following points in
response to this question. Clearly this chapter tells us a lot about Gatsby's lifestyle
and how it is an obvious example of "conspicuous consumption." Consider his cars, and
the very showiness of his vehicles, which were of course designed to impress Daisy, but
ironically play a crucial part in his downfall as they are easily recognised and thus
allow Gatsby to be tracked down.

Another key thing to
realise is that it is strongly implied that Gatsby's wealth is derived from the illicit
sale of alcohol. Note how the owl-eyed man appreciates the library, but he sees it
through a drunken haze. This has occurred in spite of Prohibition and the restrictions
on sale and consumption of alcohol.

The theme of pretension
and reality is highlighted by the "majestic hand" with which Gatsby signs his
invitations, showing that in the artificial world of his parties, Gatsby imagines
himself to be like a medieval Monarch. Yet his guests conduct themselves "according to
the rules of behaviour associated with an amusement park." These people form a social
elite, yet their behaviour is characterised in terms of
vulgarity.

Also key to think of is how Gatsby is both a
part of and yet separate to this group. As Mr. Tolstoff's composition is played to the
assembled crowd, Nick looks over and sees him:

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...just as it began my eyes fell on Gatsby,
standing alone on the marble steps and looking from one group to another with approving
eyes... When the "Jazz History of the World" was over, girls were putting their heads on
men's shoulders in a puppyish, convivial way, girls were swooning backward playfully
into men's arms, even into groups, knowing that some one would arrest their falls - but
no one swooned backward on Gatsby, and no French bob touched Gatsby's shoulder, and no
singing quartets were formed for Gatsby's head for one
link.

This sets up an
essential paradox - Gatsby is shown to be a fundamental part of the "Jazz Age" world
depicted in this book, and yet he is seen to be essentially separate from it as well,
indicating some central conflict or ambiguity in his character that the rest of the
novel will unfold.