First, the Jazz Age is presented in chapter three of The Great Gatsby as an age of luxury, opulence (abundant wealth), and hedonism (love of pleasure).
The illegal liquor flows, guests come from everywhere and stay all night, cars are everywhere, the band is many-membered, Gatsby's house is turned into almost a carnival, the library is full of books that are unreadable (the pages are uncut--they are just for show), drunks drive, and recklessness abounds.
And the people thrive on rumors: about Gatsby's business, his war experience, and his past.
Gatsby does not take part in any of this, but at the same time, he is responsible for it all. He does not drink the illegal liquor, but he serves it.
In short, the society in general is presented as irresponsible and shallow.
In addition to the description of the society, the party furthers the plot by placing Jordan and Gatsby together. They talk for a lengthy time, due, of course, to Jordan's connection to Daisy. Gatsby, of course, throws these lavish parties in the hope that Daisy will one day happen in to one, and he will have the chance to meet her that he's been dreaming of. That hasn't happened, so Gatsby takes the step of talking to Jordan.
Finally, the party introduces the reader to the character Nick thinks of as Owl Eyes, who will reappear after Gatsby's death, and the car accident foreshadows the fatal accident that kills Myrtle.
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