The image of Gatsby is one of extreme propriety. From the “majestic hand” that signed Nick’s invitation to the full-sized orchestra and exquisite catering, Gatsby appears the perfect gentleman. He is gracious and kindhearted (or else how could he put up with his own guests?), a combination that gives rise to rumors. He is, however, set apart from the guests, both mentally and physically. Nick indicates that during the course of the evening, as men and women began to move closer to each other in gestures of flirtation, Gatsby was strikingly marginalized. No one sought to rest her head on his shoulder, no friends sought him out to join their small and intimate groups. Gatsby, the host, remained strikingly aloof from his guests. Nick, likely, is one of the first people to ever realize this. (Again, as a testament to his general nature, Nick comes off as a credible and trustworthy narrator.) Just as one may think that Gatsby will have nothing to do with any woman, however, he sends for Jordan Baker, wishing to speak to her privately. When Jordan returns, Fitzgerald, wanting to maintain suspense for a bit longer, withholds the purpose of their discussion, but Jordan says that it was “the most amazing thing,” which is finally discussed at the end of Chapter 4.
In addition to providing information about Gatsby, his parties, and his party guests, Chapter 3 also chronicles a return to the issues of morality and equity introduced in Chapter 1. Toward the chapter’s end, Nick shifts his focus away from Gatsby and toward Jordan. He reveals his interest in her, but tempers it by discussing her apparent penchant for lying. While he is initially “flattered to go places with her,” largely because of her fame, he isn’t “actually in love” but feels “a sort of tender curiosity.” Nick’s opinion of Jordan changes, however, when he finds that she makes a habit of lying her way out of bad situations, thus revealing two contrary facets of his nature. Unlike many of the novel’s characters who delight in basking in the fame and notoriety of others (take for instance Myrtle’s delight at the power and prestige she gets from being with Tom), Nick’s judgment is not entirely clouded by fame. Even though Nick is fond of Jordan he is still able to discern her lack of honesty. However, as admirable as that is, Nick contradicts this good judgment when he confesses that “Dishonesty in a woman is a thing you never blame deeply — I was casually sorry, and then I forgot.” Clearly, although he wouldn’t admit it, he does hold a double standard, excusing Jordan’s shortcomings because of her gender. As the chapter ends, Nick reveals his own sense of self worth: Of all the people he has known, he is one of the few who is honest. In many respects, this is true, and as the story continues, Nick’s moral fortitude becomes more and more pronounced, but the mere fact that he has dismissed Jordan’s dishonesty makes the reader wonder, at least momentarily, whether this is true.
