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Significance Of Setting In The Great Gatsby

Decent Essays

Analyze how settings in The Great Gatsby contribute to the novel’s themes.

F. Scott Fitzgerald exhibits a glimpse of the American society in the 1920s in his novella The Great Gatsby; set ‘In the city that never sleeps’, he exposes the social hierarchy full of injustices, consumerism and excess. The novel tells the story of Jay Gatsby, a man whose desire to be reunited with his long lost love brings him from poverty to unimaginable wealth. Sadly being married to Tom Buchanan an arrogant, unfaithful and aggressive man; Gatsby’s beloved Daisy does not bring him happiness, but eventually, death. Fitzgerald deliberately sets up the story to show how each distinct social class -old, new and no money- has its own problems and uses various settings …show more content…

"The valley of Ashes," is constantly transited still simultaneously lonely and miserable, where the eyes of Doctor T.J. Eckleburg are always gazing, vigilant. A place so close yet so far from the worlds of the rich and vain; alluding to the indifference with which the wealthy see the lower class. Even though it forms part of their surroundings, it is treated with disdain. Fitzgerald's description shows how “ The valley of ashes 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.”(pg. 20 ) This is also a rather accurate description of how the rich, when they bother to disconnect from their luxurious lifestyles and raise awareness to the world outside, look down on to the poor and feel the right to undermine them; further linking to the author’s concern over the inequality in society, which is demonstrated when Tom continually puts Wilson off “No, he doesn’t,” said Tom coldly. “And if you feel that way about it, maybe I’d better sell it somewhere else after all.” “I don’t mean that,” explained Wilson quickly. “I just meant ——”His voice faded off…” (pg. 21) Fitzgerald uses this to represent the difficulties of the poor, the fact that living among the ashes has made them lose their strength and vitality making them susceptible to manipulation. In a similar …show more content…

The extravagant condo were Tom maintains his affair “hidden” from the world “was crowded to the doors with a set of tapestried furniture entirely too large for it, so that to move about was to stumble continually over scenes of ladies swinging in the gardens of Versailles.” (pg. 24) As an overcompensation for the poverty and misery in which Myrtle lives alongside his husband. The pretentious furniture and art displays resembling “Versailles”, show how the apartment served the purpose of a “temporary castle”, a fantasy place where Myrtle was able to feel like the center of attention, throw away money and be surrounded with expensive gifts, for a wistful short period of time; but more importantly it represents Myrtle’s failed attempt in appearing high-class. The setting with the “Several old copies of TOWN TATTLE...”(pg.24) which was a gossip magazine from the 1920s, expose Myrtle’s desires for a momentary escape from her deplorable reality, the Valley of the Ashes. On the other hand this scene also portrays the dissatisfaction of the wealthy, how being raised with money and not dedicating themselves to proper careers , also creates in them the need to seek for amusement. A contrast Fitzgerald does on purpose to exhibit how regardless of their backgrounds poor or rich will always feel something missing in their

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