East Egg Vs. West Egg In The Great Gatsby

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Sophie Laplante Mrs. Mills ENG 3U1 22/04/13 The Quest for the American Dream: The meaning behind F. Scott Fitzgerald’s comparison of East Egg vs. West Egg The author of the Great Gatsby, F. Scott Fitzgerald, during his service in the First World War as an officer, must have observed in the British army, the extreme class distinction between the officers and the regular troops which they commanded. The officer class was far more interested in their own privileges which they regarded as “God given” to them. One of the main themes throughout this novel is the quest for the American Dream. The American Dream is the idea that the United States of America is a place where everyone is equal and anyone can become successful if they work…show more content…
Through East Egg and West Egg, Fitzgerald reveals that the American Dream is simply an illusion for most people in society. It is portrayed as though those in East Egg simply inherit their money (this is why they are considered ``old money``), while those in West Egg have somehow earned their money by working for it (this is why they are considered the ``nouveau riche``). When Fitzgerald writes ``Whenever you feel like criticizing anyone, just remember that people in this world haven’t had the advantages that you’ve had.`` (7), he is trying to say that it is much better to be morally upright when you are trying to make an honest living. In saying this, Fitzgerald makes the immorality of the wealthy seem even more unforgivable. Another important piece of evidence that shows that the American Dream is not what it appears to be is the fact that Gatsby did not earn his wealth through hard work. This is proven when Fitzgerald writes ``He and Wolfshiem bought up a lot of side-street drug-stores here and in Chicago and sold grain alcohol over the counter. That’s one of his little stunts. I picked him for a bootlegger the first time I saw him, and I wasn’t far wrong.`` (127). This quote shows that Gatsby made his fortune illegally, along with many other West Eggers. Bootlegging completely contradicts what the American Dream is all about. Even though it may…show more content…
Gatsby may portray that the main reason why he throws massive parties is because he just simply wants to, but the true reason is because he hopes that Daisy will one day show up. Also, Nick, being the grounded man that he is, notices how impersonal Gatsby’s parties are, when he remarks “The bar is in full swing, and floating rounds of cocktails permeate the garden outside, until the air is alive with chatter and laughter, and casual innuendo and introductions forgotten on the spot, and enthusiastic meetings between women who never knew each other's names." (Fitzgerald 45). This quote makes it evident that West Eggers lived only in the present and simply used Gatsby for his generosity. West Eggers are known for their outrageous activities and parties whereas East Eggers carry themselves with more confidence, class, and statue. Even though some East Eggers may not want this image, they still carry themselves with those qualities to ensure that they fit in (even though it makes them unhappy). This is brought into sharp focus for Gatsby when he invites the Sloanes, a long established East Egg family, to one of his parties, only to have the invitation accepted “without gratitude`` (Fitzgerald 109). To return back to Gatsby`s main goal, winning Daisy’s heart, he is constantly pinning for this ``green light`` that he sees across the courtesy bay. The green light represents the American
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