Jay Gatsby’s elaborate mansion in Scott Fitzgerald’s The Great Gatsby symbolizes the upper class’ need to be filled with material wealth and adoration to feel fulfilled. Fitzgerald uses mansion’s exterior, interior, and atmosphere to reflect different aspects of the upper class. The beginning of Gatsby’s interactions with Nick, Jordan, Daisy, and Tom is due to his impressive mansion and the parties that occur there. It is a pivotal location in the novel as it is the scene of parties, the place of most of Gatsby and Daisy’s interactions, and the location of Gatsby’s death.
When Nick first comes to West Egg, he calls Gatsby’s mansion a “colossal affair by any standard” (Fitzgerald, 5). Even Daisy, who lives in an extravagant house herself, is …show more content…
This intense decoration of the house, outside and inside, is reflected in the people of the upper class. They fill their elaborate lives with materialistic wealth including clothes, houses, and cars. These lavish life styles are witnessed through Gatsby’s invitation to Nick to go with him in his hydroplane, Tom and Daisy’s expensive honeymoons, and people’s attendance of Gatsby’s parties. Another curious aspect of the upper class that Nick experiences is the crazy stories and lies they tell. Jordan’s lies to cover her mistakes highlight this deception. “she left a borrowed car out in the rain with the top down, and then lied about it” (Fitzgerald, 57). Nick hears some of these stories about Gatsby. “‘Somebody told me they thought he killed three men once.’” (Fitzgerald, 44). “‘It’s more than that he was a German spy during the war.’” (Fitzgerald, 44). “‘I’ll bet he killed a man.’” (Fitzgerald, 44). After prolonged exposure to these lies and stories and after spending extended time with members of the upper class, Nick starts to see through the layers of deception they weave with their absurd stories and rumors. Nick realizes the stories only benefit the person telling them and serve to gain attention. These stories hold the same effect as the uncut books in Gatsby’s mansion. “‘Absolutely real—have pages and everything. I thought they’d be a nice durable cardboard...What thoroughness! What realism! Knew when to stop too—didn’t cut the pages. But what do you want? What do you expect?’” (Fitzgerald, 46). They create attention and awe, but upon further inspection, they disappoint due to the
When Nick first comes to West Egg, he calls Gatsby’s mansion a “colossal affair by any standard” (Fitzgerald, 5). Even Daisy, who lives in an extravagant house herself, is …show more content…
This intense decoration of the house, outside and inside, is reflected in the people of the upper class. They fill their elaborate lives with materialistic wealth including clothes, houses, and cars. These lavish life styles are witnessed through Gatsby’s invitation to Nick to go with him in his hydroplane, Tom and Daisy’s expensive honeymoons, and people’s attendance of Gatsby’s parties. Another curious aspect of the upper class that Nick experiences is the crazy stories and lies they tell. Jordan’s lies to cover her mistakes highlight this deception. “she left a borrowed car out in the rain with the top down, and then lied about it” (Fitzgerald, 57). Nick hears some of these stories about Gatsby. “‘Somebody told me they thought he killed three men once.’” (Fitzgerald, 44). “‘It’s more than that he was a German spy during the war.’” (Fitzgerald, 44). “‘I’ll bet he killed a man.’” (Fitzgerald, 44). After prolonged exposure to these lies and stories and after spending extended time with members of the upper class, Nick starts to see through the layers of deception they weave with their absurd stories and rumors. Nick realizes the stories only benefit the person telling them and serve to gain attention. These stories hold the same effect as the uncut books in Gatsby’s mansion. “‘Absolutely real—have pages and everything. I thought they’d be a nice durable cardboard...What thoroughness! What realism! Knew when to stop too—didn’t cut the pages. But what do you want? What do you expect?’” (Fitzgerald, 46). They create attention and awe, but upon further inspection, they disappoint due to the