In Chapter 3, we finally officially meet Gatsby. Nick gets invited to one of Gatsby's famous parties. Nick runs into Jordan, and decides to spend time with her, since he doesn't know anyone else who is at the party. Jordan and Nick hear several rumors about Gatsby, like that he is a murderer.
When Nick really meets Gatsby, he realizes that he is a good man, nothing like a murderer, and that he and Gatsby fought together in the war. Nick quickly gets used to Gatsby's habit of calling people "old sport," and although Gatsby does seem sincere, Nick cannot overlook the fact that Gatsby's past seems improbable. At this point, there isn't any reason for Gatsby to cover up his past, but apparently there is something Gatsby is ashamed of or something that he is trying to keep hidden.
Another unknown thing about Gatsby is why he throws the extravagant parties. Gatsby doesn't drink, or dance and he doesn't even know most of the people who attend his parties. Perhaps he is just trying to get accepted into this community. Maybe this has something to do with the thing in his past that he trying to cover up, or maybe he just enjoys entertaining people.
During the party, Gatsby speaks with Jordan privately. Afterward when Jordan tells Nick that she heard something extraordinary about Gatsby, the only thing that can come to our minds is that he told her something shocking and unexpected, like he really did murder a man, but we don't get an explanation from Jordan in this chapter.
After the party, we see that Nick is dating Jordan. We also find out that Jordan is dishonest, and that she cheated in a golf tournament. Nick is disappointed to find out that Jordan wasn't what he expected, that she just another pretty girl, ugly on the inside.
