East Egg Versus West Egg: Who is That?

East Egg Versus West Egg: What's the Big Deal?

In F. Scott Fitzgerald's novel, "The Great Gatsby," there's this big contrast between East Egg and West Egg. It sets up the stage for diving into themes like wealth, social class, and chasing that American Dream. The folks living in these two fictional places—especially Tom and Daisy Buchanan—really show off what it means to belong to either side. So, let's break down how East Eggers, like Tom and Daisy, seem to care most about money and status. By picking apart what drives them, we can get a good look at their motivations and the bigger picture Fitzgerald's painting about society.

The Money Game: Old vs. New

First off, what's so different about East Egg compared to West Egg? Well, it's all about the money and where it comes from. East Egg is filled with those who’ve always had it—the "old money" crowd who think they're the cultural elite. Take Tom and Daisy Buchanan for example; they’re proud of their inherited fortunes which represent their social rank. They love sticking to family traditions, going to fancy parties, and looking all polished and classy. On the flip side, West Egg is where you find "new money" folks who've recently made it big through business ventures. These guys, like Jay Gatsby, often face suspicion from East Eggers because their cash doesn’t have that old-timey prestige.

Tom and Daisy: Living the East Egg Life

Tom and Daisy are classic East Egg residents—they're all about keeping up appearances and holding onto their high status. Tom’s super into money; you can see it in his affair with Myrtle Wilson—a working-class gal from the “valley of ashes.” This affair highlights how he wants power over those he thinks are below him socially. As for Daisy? She cares a lot about her image and enjoying her ritzy life in East Egg. She looks past her husband's cheating just to keep her comfy position in society untouched. Their choices show what’s important in East Egg culture—money and status trump morality or personal happiness.

Bigger Picture: More Than Just Personal Choices

Their values don't stop at their personal lives. Fitzgerald uses characters like Tom and Daisy to point out how chasing wealth and status leads to corruption and moral decay. They don’t seem bothered by the consequences of their actions or anyone else’s feelings as long as they’re safe—that attitude plays into some of the tragic events in the novel. Through these portrayals, Fitzgerald criticizes how shallow East Egg society is while questioning if wealth truly brings happiness or fulfillment.

Wrapping It Up

So yeah, when you look at people from East Egg—like Tom and Daisy—they put wealth and status above everything else. Rooted in old-money beliefs, these values guide their actions throughout the story. Analyzing these aspects gives us a better understanding of both the characters themselves and Fitzgerald’s larger critique within "The Great Gatsby." The book serves as a cautionary tale about how chasing after wealth can lead to moral downfall or personal tragedy—and leaves us pondering its timeless lessons on societal values.

References

• Fitzgerald, F. Scott. The Great Gatsby. Scribner, 1925.
• Tredell, N., ed., (1997) The Great Gatsby: A Reader's Guide, London: Palgrave Macmillan UK.
• Piper, H., (2010) The Great Gatsby: Critical Insights, Salem Press.
• Tanner, T., (1985) The Reign of Wonder: Naivety & Reality in American Literature, Cambridge University Press.
• Berman, R., (1994) The Great Gatsby and Modern Times, University of Illinois Press.