American singer Bob Dylan calls New York City “a city where you could be frozen to death in the midst of a busy street and nobody would notice.” Set in the roaring 20’s, the massive scope of the city and size of its population makes New York City the perfect place for the characters in F. Scott Fitzgerald’s novel, The Great Gatsby, to hide their immoral and unlawful behavior behind anonymity. Fitzgerald utilizes different settings and locations in his novel to not only further the plot but also to aid in the development of certain themes, serve as a symbol for various characters, and set the tone of the events in the story. In his divergent descriptions of different places, Fitzgerald emphasizes the significance of the setting for the various sequences of action in the novel. Fitzgerald further expands his themes of new and old rich along with the struggles of the poor, gives insight into the persona of Gatsby, Tom, and Daisy, and changes the mood in and around the actions of characters through his decisive shifts in setting.
The split between West and East Egg represents the divide between new and old rich, and the valley of ashes symbolizes the suffering of the poor as the rich indulge themselves without concern for others. Learning from his father, Nick grows to believe that “a sense of the fundamental decencies is parceled out unequally at birth”(3). Not only do people find themselves born into or without money, but the same principle applies with natural class and decency. The old rich “represent the staid nobility of the countryside”(82) as the “East Egg condescends West Egg”(82). When Gatsby fails to understand that the Sloane’s invitation should have come off as rude and fraudulent, the division of west and east clearly shows itself. West Eggers, “the less fashionable of the two”(14), fail to grasp the nuances and mannerisms of the East because they rose in status from a lower class. While Gatsby acts socially inept in dealing with the East Eggers, Tom and Nick immediately pick up on the innuendos and implications of the Sloane’s actions because they were both born in rich families. With the new and old rich worrying only about their own struggles, they ignore the plight of the “desolate area of land-the valley of ashes”(31). Although the valley’s production and manufacturing from factories heavily supports the capitalist system by which the people of Long Island acquired wealth, “the grotesque gardens in which ashes grow like wheat”(31) are looked down upon and treated without any concern. The valley symbolizes the sacrifice of the poor to the benefit of the rich. Each region represents the character of the people that inhabit it.
Through differences in aesthetic and style, Gatsby’s mansion in stark contrast to Daisy and Tom’s mansion shows how the character’s live conflicting lifestyles. Nick describes Gatsby’s ostentatious house as “a colossal affair…with a tower on one side, and a marble swimming pool and more than forty acres of lawn and garden”(14). With his wealth coming fairly recently as evident by his house looking “spanking new under a thin beard of raw ivory”(14), Gatsby tries to emulate a high class lifestyle by showing off his wealth going as far as designing “a factual imitation of some Hotel de Ville in Normandy”(15). Although he tries to replicate the old design of a French house to give the impression of “old money”, the house glows with the shine of novelty. Only Mr. Gatz, who “point[s] out every detail”(102) of the house to Nick “[seeking] admiration from [his] eyes”(103), gives the reaction that Gatsby had hoped for. When initially walking up to the mansion, Mr. Gatz feels overwhelmed with awe at the status his son achieved. Because they both come from the same background of poverty, Gatsby and his father share the same taste and appreciation for what they believe wealth to look like. Unlike Gatsby’s gaudy mansion, Tom and Daisy’s home exhibits aspects of an extravagant lifestyle in a much more subtle fashion. The “George colonial mansion [is] broken by a line of French windows, glowing with reflected gold”(18) and “bright vines and grass seem to grow a little way into the house”(26). The East Egg mansion represents their inheritance into money with a house that embeds itself with the natural environment around it, suggesting roots that date long before Tom or Daisy were born. Gatsby’s incompatible mansion with the Buchanan’s parallels his inability to join their lifestyle as the self made clashes with the natural born wealth.
While the small community of Long Island concerns itself with rumors and gossip making it impossible to act out in misconduct without scorn, the anonymity offered by the enormous New York City allows characters to flaunt their disregard for societal rules and morals free of judgement. In Long Island, Gatsby’s “notoriety increase[s] all summer until he [falls] just short of being news”(102). The mystery of Gatsby draws a lot of attention due to the spirit of competition and comparison in the small community of East and West Egg. Because the rich constantly want to have a higher status than their neighbors, they deeply concern themselves with each other’s lives and conduct. Knowing that gossip spreads quickly and judgement passes just as fast, Gatsby decides to “fire all of [his] servants”(126) wanting “somebody who would not gossip”(126) when he begins an affair with Daisy. News travels so quickly about people in Long Island that Nick hears about Gatsby firing his servants even before Gatsby has the chance to tell him. Always paying close attention to rumors and reports of their neighbors, the people of Long Island make it impossible to hide misconduct and indecency from public opinion. Unlike Long Island, New York City’s size gives off “a racy, adventurous feel”(51) as if “anything at all can happen”(66). Tom uses New York City as a rendezvous for his lover due to the protection it grants his reputation, since he ends up as just another face in the crowd in the bustle of city life. A melting pot of different races, cultures, and classes in which, the city in its “wild promises” (51) ensures that no one would ever know or disapprove”(66) of his immoral or unethical actions. The setting of the novel dictates the way in which character’s conduct themselves and the tone of the action.
By employing different locations in the novel, Fitzgerald successfully extends the theme of class division, expresses the distinction between Gatsby and Tom and Daisy, and splits the action between decency and obscenity. The West and East Egg symbolize the new and old rich of Long Island, and the valley of ashes represents the struggles of the poor. Gatsby, Daisy, and Tom all live with extreme levels of wealth, yet also live different lifestyles as exemplified in their clashing home designs. Despite the accountability and standards of the small Long Island community, characters like Tom are able to escape to New York City in order to conduct dishonorable acts. Fitzgerald’s various settings provide an integral aspect of the novel’s themes, plot, and tone.