The Great Gatsby Group

Question:


sweetsoso
Student
High School - 12th Grade

In Chapter 7,who is Trimalchio? Explain how this describes Gatsby.

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Posted by sweetsoso on Thursday April 17, 2008 at 3:30 PM and tagged with gatsby, satire, the great gatsby.

Answers:


  1. renelane Teacher
    High School - 11th Grade

    eNotes Editor

    Trimalchio was the protagonist in Satyricon, by Petronius. He was a freedman who gained prestige and power through sheer tenacity and hard work. Once he attained his wealth, he enjoyed throwing lavish parties that were meant to impress his variety of guests.

    The comparison of Gatsby and Trimalchio is obvious. Both were newly rich, and trying to get the right attention. Fitzgerald's early version of Gatsby was actually titled "Trimalchio in West Egg".

    Sources:
    http://www.enotes.com/great-gatsby/chapter-7-summary-anal...

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    Posted by renelane on Thursday April 17, 2008 at 3:52 PM