Symbols of Location As believed, setting plays a major role in many, if not all novels. Settings oftentimes set the mood and tone for all stories. In F. Scott Fitzgerald’s novel of forbidden love, lies, and fatal deceit, also known as The Great Gatsby, the narrator Nick Carraway gives readers insight into the symbolism of each geographical location. There are certain characteristics that each location represents, and these locations also symbolize their inhabitants. In F. Scott Fitzgerald’s novel The Great Gatsby, geographical locations such as West Egg, East Egg, New York, and The Valley of Ashes, as well as the Midwest symbolize innocence, experience, corruption, and demise within the context of Nick Carraway’s vivid description of the
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Fitzgerald aimed to expose the truth of what is under the surface of the New York City “American Dream”. In The Great Gatsby New York City represents a place full of immorality, lies, and deceit. While in New York, the characters have no consideration on ethics or morals. They do everything they please without the slightest notion of any repercussions. For example, the adulterous and violent love affair of Myrtle and Tom occur here. Myrtle Wilson also deceitfully portrays herself as a “fancy” woman while in New York. “I told that boy about the ice…These people! You have to keep after them all the time.” In attempts to sound like a part of the upper class, Myrtle manages to come off as distastefully pretentious. Another example is that Gatsby introduces Nick to Meyer Wolfsheim (who just so happens to be the staple of immorality) in New York. With knowing this, it is also safe to suggest that since Meyer Wolfsheim is only seen in New York that it is furthermore a symbol of a lack of morals. Another example how Gatsby does all of his “business” in the city. There is never any fuss of him doing business anywhere else. All in all, with the various occurrences in this city, It is safe to say that New York City symbolizes the land of
Fitzgerald aimed to expose the truth of what is under the surface of the New York City “American Dream”. In The Great Gatsby New York City represents a place full of immorality, lies, and deceit. While in New York, the characters have no consideration on ethics or morals. They do everything they please without the slightest notion of any repercussions. For example, the adulterous and violent love affair of Myrtle and Tom occur here. Myrtle Wilson also deceitfully portrays herself as a “fancy” woman while in New York. “I told that boy about the ice…These people! You have to keep after them all the time.” In attempts to sound like a part of the upper class, Myrtle manages to come off as distastefully pretentious. Another example is that Gatsby introduces Nick to Meyer Wolfsheim (who just so happens to be the staple of immorality) in New York. With knowing this, it is also safe to suggest that since Meyer Wolfsheim is only seen in New York that it is furthermore a symbol of a lack of morals. Another example how Gatsby does all of his “business” in the city. There is never any fuss of him doing business anywhere else. All in all, with the various occurrences in this city, It is safe to say that New York City symbolizes the land of