Setting: Great Gatsby

A detailed Summary of Setting: Great Gatsby

Setting: As it Prevails in The Great Gatsby

The Great Gatsby is a novel of the 1920's, a time of flamboyance, excessiveness,

and ambiguity. To fully capture and document this atmosphere, Fitzgerald spent many a

page concerned with detail. Such descriptions become a stimulus for the story, setting the

mood and pace, the tendencies, strengths, and weaknesses. The characters are directly

linked to their location. Indeed in The Great Gatsby, setting dominates the novel.

Foremost, Fitzgerald chose to set the novel on the East Coast slightly outside New

York City in two contrasting rich suburban areas, West Egg and East Egg. As New York

City was the place to be and make money in the 1920's, Fitzgerald intently placed his

story around the heart of the era. Additionally, the anxiety that is supposedly predominant

in East Coast cities is also evident. Whenever the characters are in the city, tensions run

In turn, the excitement, hype, and activity of the city is countered by the relaxed,

lavish countryside where the characters reside. As one gets further away from the city

geographically, the comforts of the surroundings increase linearly. By using physical

responsibilities are inconsequential, one finds the antithesis of harsh reality. In effect, the

In conclusion, Fitzgerald uses setting dominantly to capture the times and reflect

responsibility incumbent in their attitudes. Referring to the eggs' impending differences

garage Nick recounted, "The interior was unprosperous and bare: the only car visible was

Moreover, the larger contrast is that between the Eggs and the Valley of Ashes.

the natures, responsibilities, and classes of the characters in The Great Gatsby. As Nick

every particular except shape and size."

where those with "old" money reside. Here Tom and Daisy Buchanon live in a house

From the "dreamland" of the Eggs, a peaceful escape from the hubbub of the city where

The contrast is no longer that of the sort of money, but that of the absence of money.

This valley, located between the city and the Eggs, is extremely impoverished. The

Approximate Word count = 811
Approximate Pages = 3 (250 words per page double spaced)

Category: English

join now Save Paper

Saved Paper

Save your papers so you can locate them quickly!

"Thank You So Much!!! You have saved me once again!!!"
Jack M.
"With so many papers to chose from, I was able to get ideas to help me with all of my classes. Thank You!"
Brian P.
"I've used this site for the last 3 years to help me come up with ideas for my papers."
Sara J.
"I use this site every week to help me write my own papers!"
Rachel W.
"I love this site!!!"
Marie N.