In The Great Gatsby, West Egg and East Egg are polar opposites of one another. Coincidentally, West Egg and East Egg are separated by a body of water. Fitzgerald uses these settings in order to highlight the differences in social class that were prevalent in the 1920s (one can also argue that they are still prevalent today).
As we discussed, East Egg is OLD money, meaning its inhabitants have money that has been passed down from many generations — it is in their blood. East Egg is actually located in Manhasset — a still relatively affluent neighborhood today. Remember that our vain and vapid characters Tom and Daisy Buchanan live there, which may explain their behavior. This means that they are aristocrats; Fitzgerald is highlighting on the remnants of aristocracy that still exist in America. This is ironic considering we are supposed to be a democratic nation, yet in Gatsby, we still have aristocrats in power and controlling America’s wealth. How then can the American Dream be possible when aristocrats still maintain most of the power? This is a question we should consider for the rest of the novel.
West Egg, located in Great Neck, Long Island, inhabits Gatsby and our narrator, Nick Carraway. West Egg inhabits those from NEW money, meaning their money has not been handed down from generation to generation. On the contrary, they have made their money through entrepreneurship, crime (considering the boost in crime during the 1920s), or through working on Wall Street. Nick is questionable, however, being that he lives in a house that he describes as an “eyesore”. Daisy is his second cousin, so perhaps we assume him to have more money than he does; he claims he comes from a prominent family, but again this is questionable — would a “prominent” family from the Midwest allow their son to live in a somewhat decrepit house? In addition, Nick claims that his father could only finance him for a year, highlighting on his lack of fortune. Still, he possesses more status than those who live in the Valley of Ashes, which explains his residence in West Egg.
Interestingly enough, Fitzgerald also lived where both Nick and Gatsby reside — Great Neck, Long Island. Therefore, we can automatically assume that Fitzgerald is from new money. Note that those who come from new money can never become old money no matter how hard they try! It is not in their blood, and has not been passed down from generation to generation so there is a stark difference. Keep this notion in mind for what is soon to come.
The Great Gatsby Analysis 
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I think its really interesting that this book takes place in where we live and I also think it adds more emotion/excitement to us. I also find it interesting how the valley of ashes (Queens) is a midpoint between two worlds where in west/east egg the rich are separated by new and old money meanwhile on the other side (Manhattan) is a place were both new and old money pretend to be the same. We even see this with someone who comes from the valley of ashes, when Myrtle runs off with Tom and throws a party were she acts like she is from old money.
-John Ades
Great comment! It’s a lot more interesting when you’re reading a book that you can actually relate to. You’ll see more and more as you read on that Manhattan becomes this place where anything is possible — even this idea of Gatsby is possible (if you got to the end of Chapter 4). I think this idea is still prevalent today — people from all over the world to New York City to make their dreams come true. As New Yorkers though we probably find this funny because NYC is not exactly the nicest place in the world…
Nick might be disgusted in Daisy and Tom because they are supposed to be aristocrats and leaders of society, meanwhile they are involving themselves in gossip regarding Nick’s personal relationships. However, the fact that Nick comments saying he is disgusted by their behavior is hypocritical, because in the beginning of the book Nick states that he is inclined to reserve all judgements.
The American Dream can still be possible even when aristocrats maintain most of the power because there will always be entrepreneurs who work hard to earn their money. In The Great Gatsby, the West Egg residents show how this idea prevails. Jay Gatsby is an inhabitant of the West Egg and he presumably earned his money through entrepreneurship. Residents of the West Egg were not born into aristocracy. They are “new money” unlike the East Egg residents who are “old money.”
The American Dream can still be possible even when aristocrats maintain most of the power because there is always hope inside a person to push forward for a better life. They don’t have to rich or poor, as long as they have their dream and hope, they can obtain the American Dream.
I think the American Dream can still be possible even when aristocrats maintain most of the power. A person can work an average everyday job and save their money, in order to afford a house or other valuable possessions. The American Dream is commonly known as a house with a white picket fence. This dream is attainable even if your family does not come from “old” money like the people of East Egg, as all you need to achieve your dreams is hard work and determination. However, to some people, such as Gatsby, his vision of the American Dream is different. He strives for riches and luxurious items where he has to reach the aristocrat social class and maintain power in order to fulfill his dreams.
The American Dream can still be possible even though aristocrats maintain most of the power. Although many individuals have different dreams and aspirations, they can all be achieved with hard work and dedication. No matter what your income or social status may be, anything is possible when you put your mind to it. An individual can work multiple jobs at one time in order to achieve their “American Dream”. Yes, it may have taken more work, but it can be done. In the Great Gatsby, the East Eggers, also known as “old money”, achieve their American Dreams early in in life. They inherited money from previous ancestors. Unlike the East Eggers, the West Eggers are from “new money”. In order for the West Eggers to achieve their American Dream they must work. The West Eggers work for their money without the help of ancestors. The West Eggers, most commonly entrepreneurs, show that with hard work and dedication anything is possible and can be achieved. Jay Gatsby proves this statement correct. Once a child of poor farmers, Gatsby always dreamed of becoming an aristocrat. He knew where he wanted to be in his life. He didn’t give up until he reached the point he wanted to be at in his life.