The contrast between the East and West Egg is a significant theme in The Great Gatsby. Fitzgerald has portrayed his qualms with the "American Dream" as shown in his contrast between the haves and the have-nots. The haves being the East egg, Fitzgerald has the East egg representing the idea that one must be born into money to be successful. Fitzgerald portrays the West egg as the have-nots being the ones to gain their own money through their own successes.
Thesis: Even though the East and the West egg’s contrasting features are very apparent they both symbolize Fitzgerald’s meaning of the American dream.
1st West egg (what they represent) (also provide examples of what they represent from the book) (show how they are different in the book literally) …show more content…
• The West egg represents the those who have made a lot of money by being buissnes in the years after World War I ended. (New MONEY)
• West egg people are portrayed as being rather gaudy (like Gatsby's pink suit and Rolls Royce) (7.132) they also party a lot, awkward (socially awkward, as Gatsby seems always to be), and showy (like Gatsby's rather extravagant white mansion).
• It seems as if the west egg does not know what they are to do with their money and need to “copy” what they see as “rich”. This is a clear criticisms of the excessive materialism which was the result of pursuing the American Dream.
Evidence: (3.1), (7.132)
2nd East egg (what they represent) (also provide examples of what they represent from the book) (show how they are different in the book