"The Great Gatsby" by F. Scott Fitzgerald and "The Grapes of Wrath" by John Steinbeck both explore the American Dream and class divisions, but through different lenses. "The Things They Carried" by Tim O'Brien, on the other hand, is a collection of short stories that delve into the experiences of soldiers during the Vietnam War, focusing on themes of memory, truth, and storytelling. While all three works address complex social issues, they do so in distinct contexts and styles.
In Chapter 6 of The Great Gatsby, the language conveys a stark contrast between the world Gatsby aspires to and the reality of his past. Words like "gold" and "glamour" show his idealized vision, while references to his humble beginnings and criminal connections hint at the discrepancy between his imagined life and his actual experiences. This contrast highlights Gatsby's struggle to reconcile his illusion of wealth and success with the truth of his upbringing.
Gatsby is mysterious, reserved, and seemingly detached from the festivities, while his parties are extravagant, lively, and represent the pursuit of pleasure and excess. Gatsby's enigmatic persona stands in stark contrast to the superficial and indulgent atmosphere of his parties.
Nick feels that Gatsby's tragedy is a contrast between East and West Egg because Gatsby represents the dreamers and strivers who come to the East seeking fortune and success while the residents of East Egg represent the established elite who inherit their wealth and privilege. Gatsby's pursuit of Daisy, who is from East Egg, reflects his desire to belong to a world he can never truly be a part of, resulting in his tragic downfall.
In chapters 2 and 3 of "The Great Gatsby," the differences between the two parties are stark. In chapter 2, Tom and Myrtle host a party in their apartment in the city, characterized by a lack of elegance, high energy, and a sense of debauchery. In contrast, Gatsby's party in chapter 3 is a luxurious affair filled with opulence, music, and an air of sophistication, attended by the wealthy elite of society.
Tom attends Gatsby's party out of curiosity and to make sure his wife, Daisy, is not getting involved with Gatsby. This scene reveals the contrast between Tom, who is wealthy and comes from old money, and Gatsby, who is new money and trying to fit into high society. Tom sees Gatsby as a threat to his social status and marriage, while Gatsby sees Tom as a symbol of the privileged class he aspires to be a part of.
Fitzgerald may have interrupted Gatsby's story with the visit from the horseback riders to show the stark contrast between Gatsby's world of wealth and glamour and the harsh reality of the everyday world. It also highlights Gatsby's isolation and the shallowness of the society he aspires to be a part of.
Fitzgerald uses the lists of guests to demonstrate the extravagance and frivolity of the Gatsby parties, as well as to emphasize the superficiality and shallowness of the social elite who attend. The lists also serve to highlight the contrast between Gatsby's lavish lifestyle and the emptiness of his pursuit of Daisy.
because Fitzgerald is a boss
I'm assuming that it's because Fitzgerald is trying to make a severe contrast between the ridiculously large amount of people who attended Gatsby's parties and the pathetically small number of people who attended Gatsby's funeral. This contrast is likely made for the purpose of proving the shallowness of the upper class who, while they enjoyed the fabulous wealth and prestige that Gatsby possessed, found him worthless to themsevles once he was dead. Subsequently, it shows that "friendships" built on materialism do not last.
After Nick and Gatsby cross the bridge, they encounter a group of workmen and a chauffeur waiting outside Tom Buchanan's mansion. These travelers serve as a contrast to the opulent lifestyle of the Buchanans and highlight the divide between the wealthy elite and the working class in the novel "The Great Gatsby."
In "The Great Gatsby," Gatsby's mansion is located in West Egg on Long Island, New York. It is described as a luxurious estate that stands in stark contrast to the more traditional mansions in East Egg where the old money elite reside.
Nick compares Gatsby to a son of God, believing that Gatsby had come out of his Platonic conception of himself, and seemed to walk through the garage. This comparison highlights Nick's admiration for Gatsby's resilience and determination in the face of challenges.