Where You Are is Who You Are: Importance of Location in The Great Gatsby
Wherever we are from plays a major role in how we act, live, and think. Although we may not think of geography as shaping our personality, it correlates a lot with our identity. From social values and political views to even how we are seen by society, geography can determine it all (Jokela et al 1). In F. Scott Fitzgerald’s novel, The Great Gatsby, it is evident that location influences the characters and their ideology. Fitzgerald uses the setting’s tradition and roots to directly affect how the characters act. Where the characters are from also gives them a higher status in society, as some places are more respectable than others. In addition to this, it also helps the reader understand why the characters’ personalities may be unlikeable or unique from what is seen today. In the novel, geographic locations such as East Egg, West Egg, and the Valley of Ashes epitomize the residents’ social status, lifestyle, and personality.
The residents of East Egg, an exclusive and luxurious community, exhibit aristocratic views while also living an arrogant lifestyle. These traits stem from their extreme wealth passed down through generations. As Nick Carraway, the narrator of the text, reunites with his friend, Tom Buchanan, he recalls that “[Tom’s] family was enormously wealthy—even in college his freedom with money was a matter for reproach” (Fitzgerald 10). The money accumulated by the East Egg residents is something Nick finds displeasing, as he explains. This fortune is the root cause of the residents’ tendency to act imperiously over others. East Eggers, such as Tom, use their money to sit comfortably in a higher social status above the rest to continue their great affluence and live life without worry, just as Nick describes his financial freedom. Furthermore, East Egg locals also display reckless and apathetic behavior with the help of their money. After the summer of 1922, Nick coincidentally meets Tom who argues with him about why he had told George Wilson that Jay Gatsby had run over his wife. Nick refuses his excuse and hesitates to forgive him stating that “[t]hey 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 had made” (187). Throughout the novel, Tom and Daisy seem to not care for anyone below them. Their actions are all made with the thought of knowing they can hide and recover using their money, regardless of the outcome. More specifically, after the death and murder of both Myrtle and Gatsby, Tom and Daisy leave town hastily with the aid of their money. Almost all decisions made by East Eggers are made in a brash and audacious manner only for their benefit or enjoyment. In conclusion, both high status and great opulence inherited from their ancestors, are the source of the East Egg residents’ aristocratic beliefs and reckless behavior. As a result, East Eggers attain condescending and arrogant beliefs while being aware that they can fall back on their wealth.
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Moreover, Fitzgerald portrays West Egg as an informal counterpart to East Egg. Residents of East Egg have made their income recently, leading to prodigal spending, elaborate flaunting of their riches and not being accustomed to ‘old money’ formalities. Before Nick’s first visit to Gatsby’s parties, Nick describes how “in [Gatsby’s] blue gardens men and girls came and went like moths among the whispering and the champagne and the stars… On week-ends his Rolls-Royce became an omnibus, bearing parties to and from the city” (43). Nick draws attention to Gatsby’s lavish parties, which attract people “like moths” from all ends of the city. His unruly spending on extravagant parties and living a more modern, contemporary lifestyle is how most of the newly rich West Egg residents act since they are not used to such wealth. Gatsby threw his parties to impress Daisy and win her back, showcasing how West Eggers are eager to boast about their newly gained money. Similar to their inexperience with great wealth, West Egg residents are not acquainted with East Egg’s standards, although they reside in the same social position. During Gatsby’s first meeting with Mr. Sloane, Mr. Sloane invites him for dinner which “[Gatsby] want[s] to go [but] he didn’t see that Mr. Sloane had determined he shouldn’t… ‘My God, I believe the man’s coming,’ said Tom. ‘Doesn’t he know she doesn’t want him?’” (109). Gatsby, like most other West Egg residents, is not used to East Egg’s traditions and formalities, so he eagerly accepts the invitation. However, this gesture was out of politeness that Tom, an East Egger, picks up on since it is an act he is familiar with. People of West Egg try to mimic the aristocracy of East Egg to fit in or appear as if they are in the same class; however, old customs established by East Eggers limit them from doing so. They only get so far with the ‘old money’ residents looking down on their flashy, modern lifestyle in disdain. In summary, West Egg locals may seem to be similar to East Egg residents, but with their newly acquired wealth and lavish spending, they are unaccustomed to the traditions of East Egg, leaving them left out of the extremely high class.
Lastly, the Valley of Ashes, a place sitting in between the Eggs and New York City, symbolizes the disregarded side of society. The setting is a run-down city filled with misery and immorality as the neglected, hopeless people of society who reside in the valley of ashes suffer from the consequences of the rest of society. During Nick’s first visit to the Valley of Ashes in the novel he illustrates how “[it] is bounded on one side by a small foul river, and, when the drawbridge is up to let barges through, the passengers on waiting trains can stare at the dismal scene for as long as half an hour. There is always a halt there of at least a minute, and it was because of this that I first met Tom Buchanan’s mistress” (28). After this bleak description of the valley, Nick explains a significant halt on the train which Tom uses to meet with his mistress, Myrtle Wilson, and introduce her to Nick. This halt in the valley foreshadows the rest of the night, which is fueled by alcohol, infidelity, and violence. It is because of this stop in the valley of ashes, a place already filled with despair, that the night is met with immorality, just as how most of the residents are already engaging in such activities. It is also significant that Tom’s mistress, who is also indulging in infidelity, is from the Valley of Ashes, which depicts the moral corruption of the valley. Furthermore, locals of the Valley of Ashes are abandoned by society as their failed dreams descended them into desperation to get out of there. While Tom introduces George Wilson to Nick, Nick notices “he was a blonde, spiritless man, anæmic, and faintly handsome. When he saw us a damp gleam of hope sprang into his light blue eyes” (29). Nick’s description of George Wilson’s desperation and fatigue is in stark contrast to other characters in the novel. Like many other valley residents, George works a laborious job not tended to by the rich, deeming his status in society low. The faint light of hope as he sees Tom and Nick symbolizes his desire to leave the valley and how wealthy people from the Eggs are his ticket out. George also repeatedly inquires about Tom’s car throughout the novel, so that Tom could sell it to him, demonstrating how George knows the only way out is through the wealthy residents. To sum up, desperation and hopelessness are exhibited by the Valley of Ashes’ residents, who are already neglected by the rest of society. Misery and discontent with their situation tempt them to immorality and to seek ways out.
Works Cited
- Jokela, Markus, et al. “Geographically Varying Associations between ... - PNAS.” Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences of the United States of America, 12 Jan. 2015, https:www.pnas.orgdoi10.1073pnas.1415800112.
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