Difference Between East Egg and West Egg
East Egg and West Egg are two fictional locations that are central to F. Scott Fitzgerald's classic novel, The Great Gatsby. The novel is set in the 1920s, and East Egg and West Egg are both located on Long Island, just outside of New York City. While they may seem like ordinary places, they represent much more in the novel, and have come to symbolize different things to different people.
What is East Egg?
East Egg is a fictional location in The Great Gatsby that is said to be the home of the "old money" elite. This is a reference to families who have been wealthy for generations and who have inherited their wealth rather than earning it through hard work. East Egg is said to be the more exclusive of the two locations, and the people who live there are described as being snobbish and arrogant.
What is West Egg?
West Egg is another fictional location in The Great Gatsby. It is said to be the home of the "new money" elite, which refers to people who have recently become wealthy through their own efforts, such as business or investment success. West Egg is less exclusive than East Egg, and the people who live there are seen as being less snobbish and more open-minded.
Definition and Meaning
East Egg and West Egg are two different places with different characteristics. Here is a table that summarizes their main characteristics:
| Characteristic | East Egg | West Egg |
|---|---|---|
| Residents | Old money | New money |
| Wealth | Inherited | Self-made |
| Exclusivity | More | Less |
| Attitude | Snobbish | Open-minded |
What is the difference between East Egg and West Egg?
The main difference between East Egg and West Egg is the source of their residents' wealth. East Egg is home to the "old money" elite, while West Egg is home to the "new money" elite. This means that the people who live in East Egg have inherited their wealth, while the people who live in West Egg have made their own money.
Another difference between the two locations is their level of exclusivity. East Egg is said to be the more exclusive of the two locations, with fewer people being allowed to live there. West Egg, on the other hand, is less exclusive, with more people being able to afford to live there.
Finally, the attitudes of the people who live in each location are different. The people who live in East Egg are described as being snobbish and arrogant, while the people who live in West Egg are seen as being more open-minded and accepting.
Relationship
In The Great Gatsby, East Egg and West Egg are both important locations that help to set the scene for the novel. They are also used as symbols to represent different aspects of American society at the time.
East Egg represents the old, established wealthy class who are set in their ways and unwilling to accept change. West Egg, on the other hand, represents the up-and-coming class of new money who are more open-minded and willing to embrace new ideas.
Example
An example of the difference between East Egg and West Egg can be seen in the character of Tom Buchanan, who is from East Egg, and Jay Gatsby, who is from West Egg. Tom is described as being arrogant and entitled, while Gatsby is seen as being more humble and willing to work hard to achieve his goals.
Advantages
One advantage of living in East Egg is that the people who live there are part of a well-established, exclusive community. This means that they have access to resources and connections that can be helpful in their personal and professional lives.
One advantage of living in West Egg is that the people who live there have made their own money through hard work and determination. This can give them a sense of pride and accomplishment that can be very fulfilling. Additionally, the people who live in West Egg are often more open-minded and willing to embrace new ideas, which can lead to greater creativity and innovation.
Disadvantages
One disadvantage of living in East Egg is that the people who live there can be snobbish and closed-minded. This can make it difficult to form meaningful connections with others who are not part of the same social class. Additionally, the exclusivity of the community can lead to a sense of isolation and disconnection from the rest of society.
One disadvantage of living in West Egg is that the people who live there can be seen as being nouveau riche, or newly wealthy. This can lead to a lack of respect from those who come from old money, who may see the new money as being uncultured and lacking in class. Additionally, the people who live in West Egg may feel a sense of insecurity or inadequacy, as they may feel like they have something to prove to others who come from more established wealth.
Comparison Table
Here is a comparison table that summarizes the advantages and disadvantages of living in East Egg and West Egg:
| Advantages | Disadvantages | |
|---|---|---|
| East Egg | Access to exclusive resources and connections | Snobbishness, closed-mindedness, isolation |
| West Egg | Sense of pride and accomplishment, openness to new ideas | Nouveau riche stigma, insecurity, feeling like they have something to prove |
In F. Scott Fitzgerald's classic novel, The Great Gatsby, the settings of East Egg and West Egg serve as important symbols of the social class divide that existed in 1920s America. While both locations are wealthy and exclusive, they represent different aspects of the American elite. In this article, we will explore who lives in East Egg in The Great Gatsby, and provide some West Egg vs East Egg quotes to illustrate the differences between the two locations.
Who Lives in East Egg in The Great Gatsby?
East Egg is a fictional location in The Great Gatsby that represents the old, established wealthy class. It is where characters such as Tom and Daisy Buchanan reside, and is often described as a place of refined taste and sophistication. The people who live in East Egg come from families who have been wealthy for generations, and they often look down on those who have newly acquired wealth.
Tom Buchanan, who is married to Daisy, is a prime example of the type of person who lives in East Egg. He is described as being "enormously wealthy" and having a "cruel body," suggesting that he is powerful and domineering. He is also portrayed as being unfaithful to his wife, suggesting that the people who live in East Egg may have a sense of entitlement and lack of empathy for others.
West Egg vs East Egg Quotes
To better understand the differences between West Egg and East Egg, let's take a look at some quotes from the novel that illustrate the contrasts between the two locations.
- "The one on my right was a colossal affair by any standard—it was a factual imitation of some Hotel de Ville in Normandy, with a tower on one side, spanking new under a thin beard of raw ivy, and a marble swimming pool, and more than forty acres of lawn and garden" (Chapter 1, West Egg).
This quote, which describes Gatsby's mansion in West Egg, emphasizes the idea of new money. The mansion is described as being "colossal" and "factual," suggesting that it is an ostentatious display of wealth. The fact that it is a "factual imitation" of a European hotel suggests that the people who live in West Egg may be trying to emulate European sophistication, but are not quite succeeding.
- "Across the courtesy bay the white palaces of fashionable East Egg glittered along the water, and the history of the summer really begins on the evening I drove over there to have dinner with the Tom Buchanans" (Chapter 1, East Egg).
This quote, which describes the view from West Egg to East Egg, emphasizes the idea of old money. The palaces of East Egg are described as being "fashionable" and "glittering," suggesting that they are elegant and sophisticated. The fact that the history of the summer "really begins" in East Egg suggests that this is where the real social power lies.
- "I lived at West Egg, the – well, the least fashionable of the two, though this is a most superficial tag to express the bizarre and not a little sinister contrast between them" (Chapter 1, Nick Carraway).
This quote, which is spoken by the narrator of the novel, Nick Carraway, emphasizes the idea of social class divide. He describes West Egg as being "the least fashionable" of the two, suggesting that it is considered less desirable. However, he also notes that this is a "superficial tag" and that there is a "bizarre and not a little sinister contrast" between the two locations. This suggests that there is more to the divide than just fashionability, and that there may be deeper, darker issues at play.
Conclusion
In conclusion, East Egg and West Egg are two important symbols in The Great Gatsby that represent the social class divide of 1920s America. East Egg represents the old, established wealthy class, while West Egg represents the new, recently wealthy class. The people who live in East Egg come from families who have been wealthy for generations, and they often look down on those who have newly acquired wealth. Tom and Daisy Buchanan are prime examples of the type of people who live in East Egg.
On the other hand, the people who live in West Egg are newly wealthy and may lack the refinement and sophistication of the East Egg crowd. However, they are also portrayed as being more open-minded and less bound by the rigid social expectations of the old money elite.
West Egg vs East Egg quotes in The Great Gatsby illustrate the differences between the two locations. Quotes such as "a factual imitation of some Hotel de Ville in Normandy" and "colossal affair" describe Gatsby's mansion in West Egg and emphasize the idea of new money. In contrast, quotes such as "white palaces of fashionable East Egg" and "history of the summer really begins on the evening I drove over there" describe East Egg and emphasize the idea of old money.
In the end, the social class divide represented by East Egg and West Egg is a major theme in The Great Gatsby. The characters in the novel are all trying to navigate this divide, whether it is by trying to fit in with the old money crowd, or by trying to establish themselves as part of the new money elite. The tension between these two worlds creates a powerful backdrop for the story of Jay Gatsby and his ill-fated love for Daisy Buchanan.
In conclusion, East Egg and West Egg are two fictional locations that represent different aspects of American society in The Great Gatsby. East Egg represents the old, established wealthy class, while West Egg represents the up-and-coming class of new money. While each location has its advantages and disadvantages, they both serve as important symbols in the novel, and help to illustrate the complex social dynamics of the time.
