The Discovery of the Great Gatsby
Welcome back to yet another week of fascinating conversation, and exquisite writing. :)
This week in class we started to discuss an old traditional novel known as The Great Gatsby. This book is known as a classic and so far, I would definitely recommend reading it. The setting of the book takes place on Long Island, specifically on two peninsulas, East egg and West Egg. As discussed in class, the ideal of the American dream should be strongly portrayed through this novel. Already, I have noticed a connection between the American dream and the East and West Eggs. Looking at the characteristics associated with each Egg, east Egg seems to be where the original American Dream is grown, and on West Egg, people have to work for their money.
East Egg, or the side with old money, has inhabitants that have money inherited over generations and generations. Everything is simple in East Egg; the buildings are huge, lined with white trim, clean areas and overall wealth. The people in east Egg have everything provided for them, and don't have to struggle for anything. On the other hand, West Egg, or new money, is inhabited with people who all have to strive and work hard for their money. People living on the West side of the area may very well be rich, such as Gatsby, but other people may have to constantly work hard and exert themselves in order to obtain that status and wealth. After achieving this goal, people move to the richer East Egg, and fulfill the traditional American dream. I guess which side is the American dream can be up to interpretation. Which do you think fulfills the standards of The Dream?
This week in class we started to discuss an old traditional novel known as The Great Gatsby. This book is known as a classic and so far, I would definitely recommend reading it. The setting of the book takes place on Long Island, specifically on two peninsulas, East egg and West Egg. As discussed in class, the ideal of the American dream should be strongly portrayed through this novel. Already, I have noticed a connection between the American dream and the East and West Eggs. Looking at the characteristics associated with each Egg, east Egg seems to be where the original American Dream is grown, and on West Egg, people have to work for their money.
East Egg, or the side with old money, has inhabitants that have money inherited over generations and generations. Everything is simple in East Egg; the buildings are huge, lined with white trim, clean areas and overall wealth. The people in east Egg have everything provided for them, and don't have to struggle for anything. On the other hand, West Egg, or new money, is inhabited with people who all have to strive and work hard for their money. People living on the West side of the area may very well be rich, such as Gatsby, but other people may have to constantly work hard and exert themselves in order to obtain that status and wealth. After achieving this goal, people move to the richer East Egg, and fulfill the traditional American dream. I guess which side is the American dream can be up to interpretation. Which do you think fulfills the standards of The Dream?
I definitely agree that the two Eggs symbolize the American Dream. I think if it's specifically the definition of the Dream, East Egg fits it a lot better because there's wealth and general happiness over there. However, I think that West Egg fits today's current definition of the Dream in that everyone is working hard for the wealth to support their families.
ReplyDeleteI agree with both you and Maria about your points about the East egg being on the inheriting aspect of the two. I also think that with today's society, the West egg is the one in which the Americans who are willing to work for the dream go to achieve that dream.
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