The Great Gatsby Prompt, 1991 In the novel The Great Gatsby by F. Scott Fitzgerald, Fitzgerald uses contrasting places to show the differences between characters and their values in the story. He does this by comparing where characters live. Fitzgerald compares the East and West Eggs off of New York to each other throughout the plot showing a reoccurring theme of new money versus old money and how the American dream has changed. "Twenty miles from the city a pair of enormous eggs, identical in contour and separated only by a courtesy bay, jut out into the most domesticated body of salt water in the Western hemisphere, the great wet barnyard of Long Island Sound"(5). The East and West Eggs are introduced right away in the novel, being presented
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Opposed ideas are represented through the contrast between the two places and which characters live where. Gatsby believes that he can fit in with people of Tom and Daisy's class, but it is shown that he is mistaken in this thought, "My God, I believe the man's coming," said Tom. "Doesn't he know she doesn't want him?" "She says she does want him." "She has a big dinner party and he won't know a soul there" (104). In this example of how Gatsby doesn't quite fit in, Mrs. Sloane invites Nick and Gatsby to dinner and Nick, knowing that it was only a civil offer meant to be refuted and said to act polite, declines, while Gatsby accepts thinking he's actually wanted in attendance. However, as Gatsby heads in to grab his coat, Mr. and Mrs. Sloane and Tom ride off before Gatsby can return, giving Nick the task of turning over their excuse of not being able to wait for Gatsby. Gatsby wasn't raised like they were, meaning he isn't used to the mannerisms of those in the higher …show more content…
Those attending Gatsby's parties are new age actors, singers, musicians, and many others, all coming to get intoxicated and lose their inhibitions. They don't have the poise and mannerism of the East Eggers, and when Tom and Daisy finally attend one of Gatsby's parties, they are taken by surprise with the way people act. Daisy comments throughout the night with slight jokes based off the ridiculous things that guests have done and said to her and Tom tells Gatsby, "We don't go around very much," he said; "in fact, I was just thinking I don't know a soul here" (106). The knowledge that Daisy didn't seem to have a very good time at this party causes an obstacle for Gatsby as he starts to realize that Daisy's not the same person she was five years ago, as now she has matured even further than before into someone polished with class who cares about her money and status. This is a cause of struggle for Gatsby, who has stopped at nothing to try and recreate the love he used to have with Daisy. "She saw something awful in the very simplicity she failed to understand" (108). Daisy doesn't understand the lifestyle of the people at this party. Gatsby eventually stops the parties as he once thought they would gain Daisy's attention and show her how much he had accomplished, but now sees that they aren't something she enjoys. He spends all his time trying to get her to be with him like they
Opposed ideas are represented through the contrast between the two places and which characters live where. Gatsby believes that he can fit in with people of Tom and Daisy's class, but it is shown that he is mistaken in this thought, "My God, I believe the man's coming," said Tom. "Doesn't he know she doesn't want him?" "She says she does want him." "She has a big dinner party and he won't know a soul there" (104). In this example of how Gatsby doesn't quite fit in, Mrs. Sloane invites Nick and Gatsby to dinner and Nick, knowing that it was only a civil offer meant to be refuted and said to act polite, declines, while Gatsby accepts thinking he's actually wanted in attendance. However, as Gatsby heads in to grab his coat, Mr. and Mrs. Sloane and Tom ride off before Gatsby can return, giving Nick the task of turning over their excuse of not being able to wait for Gatsby. Gatsby wasn't raised like they were, meaning he isn't used to the mannerisms of those in the higher …show more content…
Those attending Gatsby's parties are new age actors, singers, musicians, and many others, all coming to get intoxicated and lose their inhibitions. They don't have the poise and mannerism of the East Eggers, and when Tom and Daisy finally attend one of Gatsby's parties, they are taken by surprise with the way people act. Daisy comments throughout the night with slight jokes based off the ridiculous things that guests have done and said to her and Tom tells Gatsby, "We don't go around very much," he said; "in fact, I was just thinking I don't know a soul here" (106). The knowledge that Daisy didn't seem to have a very good time at this party causes an obstacle for Gatsby as he starts to realize that Daisy's not the same person she was five years ago, as now she has matured even further than before into someone polished with class who cares about her money and status. This is a cause of struggle for Gatsby, who has stopped at nothing to try and recreate the love he used to have with Daisy. "She saw something awful in the very simplicity she failed to understand" (108). Daisy doesn't understand the lifestyle of the people at this party. Gatsby eventually stops the parties as he once thought they would gain Daisy's attention and show her how much he had accomplished, but now sees that they aren't something she enjoys. He spends all his time trying to get her to be with him like they