Great Gatsby party comparison
Myrtle's party in chapter two and Gatsby's party at the start of chapter three of The Great Gatsby are one example of Fitzgerald's use of juxtaposition to contrast the two atmospheres. Some of these contrasting ideas include the difference in the two hosts' lifestyles and wealth. However, the two parties also share some similarities such as the shallow tendencies of the people involved and the endless drinking which ends in fights in both settings. One main difference of Myrtle's party is its size. Not just the number of people, but the size of her surroundings. Her place is described as "...a small living-room, a small dining-room, a small bedroom, and a bath."(p. 33) The entire place gives the feel of being closed in and too small for its contents: "The living-room was crowded to the doors with a set of tapestried furniture entirely too large for it..."(p. 33) Even the photograph on the wall is labeled as being "over-enlarged."(p. 33) Gatsby's party, however, spares no expense; much like his house. Fruit is sent in every Friday, caterers bring enough lights to "...make a Christmas tree of Gastby's enormous g
arden"(p. 44), and elegant dinner is served: "On buffet tables, garnished with glistening hors d'oeuvre, spiced baked hams crowded against salads of harlequin designs and pastry pigs and turkeys..."(p. 44) A full scale orchestra provides music all night for the hundreds of guests, laughing and dancing. Lastly, the two events both end in fights. Myrtle's closes with an argument between herself and Tom as to whether or not she should be able to say 'Daisy.' In aggression, Tom breaks her nose. "Then there were bloody towels upon the bathroom floor, and woman's voices scolding, and high over the confusion a long broken wail of pain."(p. 41) Women at Gatsby's party break into arguments with their husbands about speaking with other women or wanting to leave too soon: "Whenever he sees I'm having a good time he wants to go home."(p. 56) The parties in chapter two and three are important in illustrating the similarities and differences between Gatsby, one of the wealthy, and the lower class' attitudes and aspirations. Though money is important to both, they possess different reasons for their desire. While Myrtle hun
Some common words found in the essay are:
Myrtle Gatsby, , Daisy Catholic, Whenever I'm, Women Gatsby's, gatsby's party, myrtle's party, wealth myrtle,
Approximate Word count = 758
Approximate Pages = 3 (250 words per page double spaced)
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