logo

43 pages 1 hour read

E. L. James

Fifty Shades of Grey

E. L. JamesFiction | Novel | Adult | Published in 2011

A modern alternative to SparkNotes and CliffsNotes, SuperSummary offers high-quality Study Guides with detailed chapter summaries and analysis of major themes, characters, and more.

Chapters 1-8Chapter Summaries & Analyses

Chapter 1 Summary

The novel opens with 21-year-old English Literature major Anastasia Steele on her way to interview Christian Grey in Seattle as a favor to her friend Kate Kavanaugh, who is too sick with the flu to do the interview for the school newspaper. Ana is self-conscious and insecure, and this increases when she meets the well-dressed, beautiful blonde women who work at Grey Enterprises Holdings Inc., of which Christian Grey is CEO. When she enters Christian’s office, she stumbles and falls on her hands and knees. Christian helps her up, and she sees that he’s extremely attractive and young.

He invites Ana to sit, and as she takes in the large, well-appointed office, she comments on a painted series of small, mundane objects, saying, “Raising the ordinary to the extraordinary” (6). She asks questions from Kate’s notes, starting with to what he owes his success. He answers, “Business is all about people, Miss Steele, and I’m very good at judging people” (8). When she tells him he sounds like a “control freak,” he says, “Oh, I exercise control in all things, Miss Steele” (8).

Ana finds him arrogant and controlling. Still using Kate’s notes, she asks if he’s gay, which he denies.

blurred text
blurred text
blurred text
blurred text
Unlock IconUnlock all 43 pages of this Study Guide

Plus, gain access to 8,450+ more expert-written Study Guides.

Including features:

+ Mobile App
+ Printable PDF
+ Literary AI Tools