New York And West Egg Parties example essay topic

Two prevalent themes portrayed in The Great Gatsby are money and social status, both which coincide with the novels four settings: East Egg, West Egg, the Valley of Ashes, and New York. As Natalia stated, these different locations are used to show the absurdities of modern life, as well as to dictate social class from the upper royal status of the East Egg community to the common folk of New York. Fitzgerald uses these settings and the actions of characters within them to define and set boundaries between financial and social status of the roaring 20's. An example of Fitzgeralds technique lies in the comparison of Myrtle Wilsons party in her New York apartment to one of Gatsbys many summer parties in his West Egg mansion. Through descriptions of guests coming and going frequently, and the obnoxious drinking and wild conversation going on at the New York and West Egg parties, the reader can conclude that neither of these locations are above the social standing of an upper class party of East Egg, such as one at Tom and Daisy Buchanan's without the slight insanity of their dysfunctional family.

However, the differences between Myrtle and Gatsbys parties are great and relevant to Fitzgeralds theme. For example, the physical description of guests attending the party in New York gives knowledge to the reader of their lower class standing. Myrtles sister arrives with a sticky bob of red hair and wild, unnatural eyebrows and makeup, and Mr. McKee with lather showing on his cheekbone. His wife is described as shrill, languid, handsome, and horrible, quite the opposite of guests attending Gatsbys party, and even the host himself. Fitzgerald describes Gatsby as a very clean cut, proud postured, gentlemanly looking man with hair which looks like it were trim me every day, just as a stereotypical member of the social upper class should appear. Myrtles party included obnoxious, almost insane guests who were quick to speak their rude, blunt opinions and provide proof to Jordan Bakers statement that at small parties there isnt any privacy.

In fact, Tom Buchanan was so uncivilized a guest as to punch Myrtle, his lover and the partys hostess, and cause a bloody mess. This scene would never be seen at Gatsbys mansion, for it proved to be a truly sophisticated gathering including a complete orchestra, a mammoth buffet of food including two formal suppers, as well as champagne and many different liquors. All Myrtle had to offer her guests was oversized furniture in a small apartment and bottomless bottles of whiskey, which seemed to fit the guest lists requests perfectly. Therefore, through descriptive analysis of the characters and locations in The Great Gatsby, Fitzgerald supports his theme of the importance of financial and social status of the roaring 20's.