The Significance of the Setting in The Great Gatsby: East Egg vs. West Egg as Representations of Old Money vs. New Money
The Significance of the Setting in The Great Gatsby: East Egg vs. West Egg as Representations of Old Money vs. New Money
In The Great Gatsby, F. Scott Fitzgerald uses the settings of East Egg and West Egg as symbolic representations of the differences between “old money” and “new money” in 1920s American society. The two locations, both situated on Long Island, play a crucial role in revealing the social divisions that define the characters’ interactions and their place in the broader societal hierarchy.
East Egg, where Tom and Daisy Buchanan live, represents “old money” – the established wealthy elite who inherit their fortunes and have social pedigrees that trace back generations. This area is characterized by its traditional, somewhat aristocratic lifestyle. Tom and Daisy’s world is one of privilege and a sense of entitlement. They do not have to work for their money; it’s something they are born into, and they use their wealth to reinforce their social superiority. The Buchanans’ wealth allows them to maintain a lifestyle of carelessness and moral detachment, as they can afford to avoid the consequences of their actions.
On the other hand, West Egg, where Jay Gatsby resides, represents “new money.” Gatsby, despite his immense wealth, comes from humble beginnings. His fortune is a result of his own hard work, ambition, and, in some cases, questionable means. The lavish parties and ostentatious displays of wealth in West Egg contrast with the refined, understated lifestyle of East Egg. Despite Gatsby’s success, he is never fully accepted by the old money residents of East Egg, particularly Tom Buchanan, who sees Gatsby as an outsider unworthy of Daisy’s affections, despite his riches.
The division between East Egg and West Egg highlights the rigid social structure of the time, where wealth alone does not guarantee social acceptance. Fitzgerald critiques the idea that one can transcend their origins simply by acquiring wealth, demonstrating that the social class system remains intact, even in the Jazz Age, when material success was seen as the ultimate achievement.
