East Egg versus. West Egg: Who Is Better

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Benjamin Franklin once said, “He does not possess wealth; it possesses him.” F. Scott Fitzgerald’s The Great Gatsby demonstrates the idea of the quote from Benjamin Franklin. The Great Gatsby tells the story of a tragic war for love, wealth, and power which Jay Gatsby, Daisy Buchanan, and Tom Buchanan explore on their own. Fitzgerald sets the scene of The Great Gatsby in East Egg and West Egg. Newly rich people live in West Egg while those who inherit “old money” live in East Egg. East Egg and West Egg contrast the angle of old and new wealth. They help the reader notice the different divisions of the upper-class and the theme of the American dream. East Egg was known for its long line of running wealth. In East Egg, people came into money as their parents, grandparents, great-grandparents, and so on were all of the wealthy nature. “Across the courtesy bay the white palaces of fashionable East Egg glittered along the water...” (10). People who lived in East Egg associate with extraordinary houses, remarkable clothes, and new cars that are all passed down from generation to generation along with their considerable sums of money. However, those who live in East Egg are not only known for their wealth but also their foul personalities and attitudes toward life. They can be described as careless, shallow, and materialistic. “They were careless people, Tom and Daisy--they smashed up things and creatures and then retreated back into their money or their vast carelessness or whatever it was that kept them together, and let other people clean up the mess they made....” (187-188). Even though East Egg is considered the higher of the two, West Egg has much to offer as well. West Egg consists of those who are creating their... ... middle of paper ... ...that light had now vanished forever. Compared to the great distance that had separated him from Daisy it had seemed very near to her, almost touching her. It had seemed as close as a star to the moon. Now it was again a green light on a dock. His count of enchanted objects had diminished by one” (98). He has located and achieved his notion of the American dream. “Old money” is symbolizing the corrupt idea of the American dream and West Egg is holding on to the brighter, cheerier view of the American dream. East Egg and West Egg create the image of old and new wealth in the novel. They portray the differences between the sub-divisions of the upper-class and introduce the theme of the American dream. One finds meaning behind the distinction of the different types of wealth in the novel. One also witnesses aspects of both kinds of money in society today.

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