I believe that on the first night I went to Gatsby's house I was one of the few guests who had actually been invited. People were not invited—they went there.
Chapter 3 · Narrator
Context
Nick transitions from the general description of Gatsby's parties to his own first attendance, noting the unusual distinction that he received a formal invitation.
Analysis
The blunt reversal 'People were not invited—they went there' establishes the paradox of Gatsby's hospitality: he hosts hundreds yet connects with none. The passive construction emphasizes how Gatsby's agency is erased from his own parties—he provides the setting but cannot control or truly participate in the social dynamics. This establishes Gatsby's fundamental isolation even amid spectacle.
How to Use in Essay
Use in essays about Gatsby's isolation, the paradox of his hospitality, or the distinction between genuine social connection and mere proximity.