The Great Gatsby Group

Question:

hummer1
hummer1
Student
High School - 11th Grade

In The Great Gatsby, Nick and Gatsby live in West Egg. Does it mean that they have retained their closeness to western values?

Nick and Gatsby live on West, Does it mean that they have retained their closeness to western values? But is it right? Isn’t Jack corrupt, self-centered and only interested in money? Isn’t Jacke do illegal dealings? Has he any close relationship?

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Posted by hummer1 on Thursday February 19, 2009 at 11:33 PM and tagged with characters, gatsby, nick, setting, the great gatsby, themes, west egg.

Answers:


  1. troutmiller Teacher
    High School - 12th Grade

    eNotes Editor

    Nick represents the moral side in this novel.  His perspective is what explains the differences between the West Egg and the East Egg.

    Jay is into illegal dealings; however, Jay represents the American Dream.  He makes money from nothing.  He never had money as a kid growing up, and he is able to do more than his parents ever dreamed of doing, financially.  His main goal was to obtain all of his wealth so that he could "provide" for Daisy and her expensive tastes.  He never really wanted the money for himself.  It was all an elaborate plan to win her back.  He knew that she didn't love Tom.  She married him for status only.  Jay truly thought he could buy her back.

    So, Jay still represents the West and its values, even though he is corrupt and interested in the money.  He is never hurtful to anyone, he isn't destructive, and all of his parties are thrown just in order to get Daisy to come to one someday.  His closest friend besides Daisy is Nick.  Although he isn't ever completely honest with Nick, he does confide in him and even gets him a job.  Overall, Jay's a good man.  He does everything he can to "get the girl."  Unfortunately, the girl is just as corrupt as her husband.

    Sources:
    http://www.enotes.com/great-gatsby/character-analysis
    http://www.enotes.com/great-gatsby/themes

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    Posted by troutmiller on Friday February 20, 2009 at 4:40 AM