How did Nick’s first impression on meeting Gatsby compare to his prior expectations of the man? Support your answer with textual evidence.
Nick's first impression on meeting Gatsby was quite different from his prior expectations of the man. Prior to meeting Gatsby, Nick had heard a lot about him and had built up a picture of a mysterious and larger-than-life figure. However, when he finally meets Gatsby in person, he is surprised to find him to be charming and sociable.
In Chapter 3, Nick describes his first impression of Gatsby at one of his extravagant parties, saying, "I was one of the few guests who had actually been invited. People were not invited - they went there. They got into automobiles which bore them out to Long Island and somehow they ended up at Gatsby's door. Once there they were introduced by somebody who knew Gatsby, and after that they conducted themselves according to the rules of behavior associated with an amusement park." This quote shows that Nick had expected Gatsby to be aloof and mysterious, but instead finds him to be a gracious host.
Overall, Nick's first impression of Gatsby was in stark contrast to his prior expectations, leading him to see Gatsby in a new light as a complex and intriguing character.