The Great Gatsby Parties

         The Great Gatsby is a novel written by F. Scott Fitzgerald that is set during the “Roaring 20s” and the “Jazz Age.” The setting primarily takes place in Long Island, which happens to be near New York City. In Long Island, there are two different parts that are frequently being used. They are referred to as “West Egg” and “East Egg.” The difference between the two is that East Egg is a place for those who have inherited their wealth. While on the other hand, West Egg is a place where those who have worked for their money and wealth live. Throughout the first three chapters of the novel, there are three different parties that take place. The three parties all take place in different parts of Long Island which makes all of the parties unique. 

The first party is hosted by Tom Buchanan and his wife Daisy. Their home is on East Egg, and is described as “a cheerful red-and-white Georgian Colonial mansion, overlooking the bay, (Page 6).” The massive size of their house and how they live on East Egg represents just how wealthy and traditional they are. Nick was quite familiar with the guests at the party as Daisy is his second cousin once removed. Daisy is described as pretty, smart, and sweet. However, has another side of her that lacks inner confidence and happiness. “Her face was sad and lovely with bright things in it, bright eyes and a bright passionate mouth, (Page 9).” Also, he was familiar with Tom Buchanan since they went to Yale University together. Tom, however, is seen as cruel and arrogant and wants to show his dominance over everyone. “Two shining arrogant eyes had established dominance over his face and gave him the appearance of always leaning aggressively forward, (Page 7).” Jordan Baker was new to Nick and he has only seen her through golfing magazines. She was originally seen as cynical and self-centered. “She was extended full length at her end of the divan, completely motionless, and with her chin raised a little, as if she were balancing something on it which was quite likely to fall, (Page 8).” Daisy’s dinner party was awkward and problematic. First, Daisy jokes with Tom about liking long books, but then is interrupted by Tom’s mistress, Myrtle, calling the house phone numerous times, therefore, upsetting Daisy. Resulting in Tom and Daisy leaving the room to go argue. The party then soon ends after this awkward dinner situation. 

The second party is hosted by Myrtle, Tom’s Mistress, that takes place in her small East Egg apartment. “The apartment was on the top floor- a small living-room, a small dining-room, a small bedroom, and a bath, (Page 29).” An apartment that is not nearly big enough for a large party. Myrtle invites her sister Catherine who is a “Slender, worldly girl of about thirty, with a solid, sticky bob of red hair, and a complexion powdered milky white, (Page 30).” As well as invites the McKees who Mr. Mckee is a “pale, feminine man from the flat below, (Page 30).” While his wife is the opposite and is “shrill, languid, handsome, and horrible, (Page 30).” Lastly, invited other anonymous friends. Myrtle’s party is trashy and cheap as throughout the party, everyone is drinking, smoking, and dancing. The guests throughout the night, act as they wish to leave their lower-class status behind. Pretending as if they were more upper-class citizens. At the end of the party, it ends with Tom Buchanan punching Myrtle in the face when mentioning Daisy’s name. 

Lastly, the final party is hosted by Gatsby at his mansion in East Egg. Gatsby’s party is described as extremely luxurious, elegant, and extravagant. “By seven o’clock the orchestra has arrived, no thin five-piece affair, but a whole pitful of oboes and trombones and saxophones and viols and cornets and piccolos, and low and high drums. The last swimmers have come in from the beach now and are dressing upstairs; the cars from New York are parked five deep in the drive, (Page 40).” There are so many different acts going on it can be overwhelming at times. Even though Gatsby’s party was full of people every which way you went, the only real person who was invited was Nick Carraway. During the party, the guests were often seen dancing to the music, swimming in the pool, or drinking and eating. Everyone is partying and having a good time even though no one knew who or where Gatsby really was. 

If I could choose which of the three parties to attend to I would prefer Gatsby’s. His party compared to Daisy’s is way more lively and not as intimate. Everyone from New York knew about Gatsby’s party and anyone was allowed to come. It didn’t matter who you were and what you were doing because no one would judge you. While on the other hand, Daisy’s party is completely the opposite. It was friends and family only and was an awkward dinner event that ended in an argument. Also, Myrtle’s party was trashy and not as nearly as fancy as Gatsby’s. She had hers taken place in a small tiny apartment with only the help of alcohol to make it a “fun time.” Gatsby’s party overall seemed like an unforgettable experience and very rich and marvelous. An event that definitely would not be cheap.