Great Gatsby :: essays papers

Great Gatsby Two popular themes portrayed in The Great Gatsby are m oney and mixerstatus, both(prenominal) which coincide with the novels four settings East junky, WestEgg, the valley of Ashes, and New York. As Natania stated, these differentlocations are used to show the absurdities of moderne life, as well as todictate social class from the velocity berth royal status of the East Egg community tothe common folk of New York. Fitzgerald uses these settings and theactions of characters within them to define and set boundaries amongstfinancial and social status of the roaring 20s. An example of Fitzgeralds technique lies in the comparison of MyrtleWilsons party in her New York flat to one of Gatsbys many summerparties in his West Egg mansion. Through descriptions of guests comingand going frequently, and the obnoxious drinking and wild discoursegoing on at the New York and West Egg parties, the ratifier can concludethat neither of these locations are above the soc ial stand of an upper classparty of East Egg, such as one at Tom and Daisy Buchanans without theslight insanity of their dysfunctional family. However, the differencesbetween Myrtle and Gatsbys parties are great and relevant to Fitzgeraldstheme.For example, the sensible description of guests attending the party inNew York gives knowledge to the ref of their lower class standing. Myrtles sister arrives with a randy bob of red hair and wild, unnaturaleyebrows and makeup, and Mr. McKee with lather showing on hischeekbone. His wife is described as shrill, languid, handsome, andhorrible, quite the opposite of guests attending Gatsbys party, and even thehost himself. Fitzgerald describes Gatsby as a very clean cut, noble-mindedpostured, gentlemanly looking man with hair which looks like it weretrimmed every day, just as a stereotypical member of the social upper classshould appear. Myrtles party included obnoxious, almost delirious guestswho were quick to speak their rude, blunt o pinions and provide proof toJordan Bakers statement that at small parties there isnt any privacy. Infact, Tom Buchanan was so uncivilized a guest as to salt lick Myrtle, his loverand the partys hostess, and cause a bloody mess.