Nick Carraway, after moving to West Egg in New York, meets up with his cousin Daisy and her ludicrously rich husband, Tom. He finds out that Tom as a mistress in New York City named Myrtle.
After being invited to one of his extravagant parties, Nick becomes acquainted with Jay Gatsby. Many suspect as to how Gatsby got his fortune. Gatsby was born poor, and earned his money.
Nick invites Daisy over to his house for tea, where she meets Gatsby for the first time in five years. Gatsby wishes to catch up with Daisy, as he is in love with her.
Gatsby in Tom begin fighting for Daisy's love, and over how Gatsby is newly rich, and was not born into his fortune. Daisy eventually confesses she had always loved Gatsby,
After Daisy accidentally runs over Myrtle in Gatsby's car, Gatsby agrees to take the blame for the incident.
Myrtle's enraged husband shoots and kills Gatsby in his pool. Nick holds a quiet funeral for Gatsby, and concludes that the American Dream of the poor becoming rich has died along with Gatsby.