Quote	Speaker	Page No.
“In my younger and more vulnerable years my father gave me some advice…”	Nick Carraway	p. 1
“I hope she’ll be a fool—that’s the best thing a girl can be in this world.”	Daisy Buchanan	p. 17
“This is a valley of ashes—a fantastic farm where ashes grow like wheat…”	Nick Carraway	p. 23
“I was within and without, simultaneously enchanted and repelled.”	Nick Carraway	p. 35
“He had one of those rare smiles with a quality of eternal reassurance in it.”	Nick Carraway	p. 48
“Can’t repeat the past? Why of course you can!”	Jay Gatsby	p. 110
“Her voice is full of money.”	Jay Gatsby	p. 120
“They’re a rotten crowd… You’re worth the whole damn bunch put together.”	Nick Carraway	p. 154
“They were careless people, Tom and Daisy…”	Nick Carraway	p. 179
“So we beat on, boats against the current, borne back ceaselessly into the past.”	Nick Carraway	p. 180

The novel opens with Nick Carraway’s reflection: “In my younger and more vulnerable years my father gave me some advice…” (p. 1). This line introduces Nick as a thoughtful and morally aware narrator. It sets the tone for the story by showing that Nick values honesty and restraint, which shapes how he judges the people and events around him.

Daisy Buchanan reveals her inner sadness when she says, “I hope she’ll be a fool—that’s the best thing a girl can be in this world” (p. 17). This quote shows Daisy’s awareness of how unfair society is toward women. Even though she lives a rich life, she feels trapped by expectations and believes ignorance is the only way for a woman to be happy.

Nick describes the industrial wasteland between West Egg and New York by saying, “This is a valley of ashes—a fantastic farm where ashes grow like wheat…” (p. 23). This image represents poverty, decay, and the dark side of wealth. It highlights the contrast between the rich neighborhoods and the forgotten people who suffer in their shadow.

While watching Gatsby’s party guests, Nick reflects, “I was within and without, simultaneously enchanted and repelled” (p. 35). This line shows Nick’s mixed feelings about high society. He is fascinated by the glamour and excitement but also disturbed by the emptiness and carelessness of the wealthy lifestyle.

Nick first describes Gatsby’s personality with admiration: “He had one of those rare smiles with a quality of eternal reassurance in it” (p. 48). This quote shows Gatsby’s charm and optimism. It explains why people are drawn to him and why Nick feels sympathy for him, even before knowing his full story.

Gatsby reveals his deep obsession with the past when he says, “Can’t repeat the past? Why of course you can!” (p. 110). This quote shows Gatsby’s refusal to accept reality. He truly believes he can recreate his old relationship with Daisy and erase the years that have passed.

When Gatsby talks about Daisy, he says, “Her voice is full of money” (p. 120). This short line reveals that Daisy represents wealth, privilege, and status as much as love. It suggests that Gatsby’s dream is not just romantic but also tied to social class and material success.

After Gatsby’s death, Nick finally speaks honestly about the rich elite: “They’re a rotten crowd… You’re worth the whole damn bunch put together” (p. 154). This quote shows Nick’s loyalty to Gatsby and his disappointment in the careless behavior of Tom, Daisy, and their social circle.

Nick delivers one of the novel’s strongest criticisms when he says, “They were careless people, Tom and Daisy—they smashed up things and creatures and then retreated back into their money” (p. 179). This line directly condemns the wealthy for avoiding responsibility and hurting others without facing consequences.

The novel ends with the famous closing line, “So we beat on, boats against the current, borne back ceaselessly into the past” (p. 180). This quote sums up the novel’s main message: people keep chasing dreams and trying to move forward, but they are constantly pulled back by their past and their mistakes.