East Egg and West Egg are peninsulas located on Long Island. In actuallity they are not really called by these names, Fitzgerald thought they look like eggs so he fictitiously called them so. West Egg is now known as the Great Neck and East Egg is commonly known as Manhasset Neck. The two towns are located on the eastern side of Long Island. Long Island as a whole is divided into East and West Long Island, but in the book the action is divided between East and West Egg. East Egg is where people with "old money" live. West Egg is where people with "new money" live. People of the West Egg are average middle class people that have somehow found money and use it to get anything they want. Where as the people of the East Egg are aristocrats and spend money wisely or save it. The East Egg people resent the West Egg people for this reason.
Look at Gatsbyas an example for East Egg. He earns his money through bootlegging. He then spends it on elaborate parties, buying gifts for people, and trying to impress Daisy. Where as the Buchanan's in the West Egg spend little money. Yes their home elgant and expensive but that is what they spend their money, their home, as a possed to cars and parties.
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ReplyDeleteIsn't Gatsby an example of West Egg?
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