Question

What inferences can be made about the differences between the “old money” of East Egg and the “new money” of West Egg based on the two settings?

Even though there is a “sinister contrast” between East Egg and West Egg, everyone gets along.

The contemporary, fashionable residences of the West Egg reflect their owners’ acceptance into all levels of society.

The wealthy and fashionable East Egg residents hide their unattractive qualities underneath light, dreamy appearances.

West Egg people are more sophisticated than East Egg people because those from West Egg earned their money more recently.

Answers

Answer
pick an answer i gave you
Answer
Highlight key images in the passage.

The windows were ajar and gleaming white against the fresh grass outside that seemed to grow a little way into the house. A breeze blew through the room, blew curtains in at one end and out the other like pale flags, twisting them up toward the frosted wedding-cake of the ceiling, and then rippled over the wine-colored rug, making a shadow on it as wind does on the sea.

—The Great Gatsby, F. Scott Fitzgerald
Answer
I decided to call to him. Miss Baker had mentioned him at dinner, and that would do for an introduction. But I didn’t call to him, for he gave a sudden intimation that he was content to be alone – he stretched out his arms toward the dark water in a curious way, and, far as I was from him, I could have sworn he was trembling. Involuntarily I glanced seaward – and distinguished nothing except a single green light, minute and far away, that might have been the end of a dock. When I looked once more for Gatsby he had vanished, and I was alone again in the unquiet darkness.

—The Great Gatsby, F. Scott Fitzgerald

What is the effect of Gatsby reaching through the dark setting toward the light?

It creates conflict.

It creates mystery and interest.

It emphasizes ideas and themes.

It resolves conflict.
Answer
My house was at the very tip of the egg, only fifty yards from the Sound, and squeezed between two huge places that rented for twelve or fifteen thousand a season. The one on my right was a colossal affair by any standard – it was a factual imitation of some Hotel de Ville in Normandy, with a tower on one side, spanking new under a thin beard of raw ivy, and a marble swimming pool, and more than forty acres of lawn and garden. It was Gatsby’s mansion.

—The Great Gatsby, F. Scott Fitzgerald

How does Fitzgerald use setting in the exposition in this passage? Check all of the boxes that apply.

To establish the geographical context

To establish the historical context

To avoid discussing a cultural background

To introduce the story’s villain

To create atmosphere

To suggest possible conflicts
Answer
“But we heard it,” insisted Daisy …. “We heard it from three people, so it must be true.”

Of course I knew what they were referring to, but I wasn’t even vaguely engaged. The fact that gossip had published the banns was one of the reasons I had come East. You can’t stop going with an old friend on account of rumors, and on the other hand I had no intention of being rumored into marriage.

Their interest rather touched me … nevertheless, I was confused and a little disgusted as I drove away.

—The Great Gatsby, F. Scott Fitzgerald

In this passage, Nick tells Daisy and Tom that he is not engaged. Based on this passage, which conflict is most likely to develop?

The East vs. the Middle West

Tom and Daisy vs. Nick

Rumors vs. reality

East Egg vs. West Egg
Answered by GPT-4o mini
In F. Scott Fitzgerald’s "The Great Gatsby," the contrast between East Egg and West Egg serves to underline the differences between "old money" and "new money." Here are inferences that can be made based on the two settings:

1. **East Egg vs. West Egg: Social Class and Heritage**: East Egg represents old money, families who have been wealthy for generations, and typically, they embody values of tradition, social elitism, and exclusivity. They are often portrayed as refined but somewhat pretentious. In contrast, West Egg symbolizes new money—individuals who have recently acquired wealth, often through business ventures or innovations. While they display a certain flamboyance in their lifestyles, they lack the same level of social grace and acceptance in the old-money circles.

2. **Acceptance in Society**: While there may be a “sinister contrast” in their backgrounds, both groups interact and mingle, showcasing the complexity of social dynamics during the Jazz Age. Despite their differences, shared spaces like Gatsby's parties attract both old-money and new-money individuals, indicating a social fluidity that allows for engagement, albeit sometimes based on the ambitions and perceived value each group places on wealth.

3. **Appearance vs. Reality**: The elegant and fashionable residences of West Egg reflect the aspirations of their owners to be accepted into the upper class; yet, their attempts at sophistication may sometimes come off as superficial. In contrast, the seemingly refined demeanor of East Egg residents often conceals self-serving behaviors and moral decay, suggesting that appearances can be deceiving and that being part of the old-money elite does not inherently confer virtue.

4. **Sophistication and Values**: The assertion that West Egg people may be “more sophisticated” due to their recent wealth overlooks the nuances of sophistication. While the new wealthy may possess a kind of brashness that stems from their self-made status, their lack of inherited social customs and norms may render them less refined when compared to East Egg’s established elite. Therefore, true sophistication can be seen as a blend of wealth, behavior, and cultural education, rather than a simple equation of money's age.

Overall, the differences between East Egg and West Egg emphasize not just economic divides but also the complex implications of social status, identity, and human morality within the context of American society during the 1920s.
Answered by GPT-4o mini
Based on the options you provided, the most fitting inference would be:

**The wealthy and fashionable East Egg residents hide their unattractive qualities underneath light, dreamy appearances.**

This reflects the theme in "The Great Gatsby" where East Egg’s old-money residents often present a polished and refined facade while concealing their moral flaws and prejudices.
Answered by GPT-4o mini
In the passage you provided, several key images stand out, creating vivid visual and sensory impressions. Here are some highlighted key images:

1. **Windows ajar and gleaming white**: This image suggests openness and a sense of lightness, contributing to an inviting atmosphere. The "gleaming white" emphasizes cleanliness and purity.

2. **Fresh grass outside that seemed to grow a little way into the house**: This imagery evokes a seamless connection between the indoor and outdoor spaces, symbolizing nature’s presence and perhaps suggesting a kind of innocence or natural beauty.

3. **A breeze blew through the room**: The breeze indicates movement and life, bringing a dynamic quality to the setting.

4. **Curtains in at one end and out the other like pale flags**: This simile compares the movement of the curtains to flags, suggesting a sense of grace and fluidity. The color "pale" adds a dreamy, gentle quality to the scene.

5. **Twisting them up toward the frosted wedding-cake of the ceiling**: This comparison brings a whimsical and ornate image to mind, suggesting intricacy and beauty in the ceiling's design, while the "wedding-cake" imagery conveys a sense of celebration or idealized beauty.

6. **Rippling over the wine-colored rug**: The image of rippling suggests a soft, gentle movement, enhancing the serene atmosphere of the room. The "wine-colored rug" adds richness and depth, evoking a sense of luxury.

7. **Making a shadow on it as wind does on the sea**: This simile creates a dynamic comparison between the shadows cast on the rug and the patterns of the sea, adding a layer of movement and fluidity to the imagery.

Together, these images contribute to the overall atmosphere of tranquility and beauty in the setting, while also hinting at deeper themes of illusion and transience that appear throughout the novel.
Answered by GPT-4o mini
The effect of Gatsby reaching through the dark setting toward the light creates **mystery and interest**. This action symbolizes his longing, dreams, and aspirations, particularly his desire for something unattainable represented by the green light. The contrast between the darkness and the light evokes a sense of intrigue and emotional depth, prompting readers to ponder Gatsby's motivations and the broader themes of hope and desire within the story. The image also raises questions about what the light represents and Gatsby's state of mind, contributing to the novel's overall enigmatic quality.
Answered by GPT-4o mini
In the provided passage from "The Great Gatsby," Fitzgerald uses setting in the exposition in the following ways:

1. **To establish the geographical context**: The mention of the house being "at the very tip of the egg" and "only fifty yards from the Sound" provides a specific location, helping readers visualize where the events of the story are taking place.

2. **To create atmosphere**: The description of the "colossal affair," the "factual imitation of some Hotel de Ville in Normandy," and the luxurious features like the marble swimming pool and extensive grounds contributes to an atmosphere of opulence and sophistication, setting the tone for the world of the wealthy in the novel.

3. **To suggest possible conflicts**: The contrast between the narrator's more modest house and Gatsby's extravagant mansion hints at class distinctions and potential conflicts between characters, particularly in the context of wealth and social dynamics.

The other options, such as establishing historical context, avoiding cultural background, or introducing the story's villain, do not directly apply to this passage. The focus here is primarily on geographical and atmospheric details, along with suggesting underlying conflicts.
Answered by GPT-4o mini
Based on the passage, the conflict that is most likely to develop is **Rumors vs. reality**. Nick's awareness of the gossip regarding his alleged engagement and his insistence that he is not engaged highlight the tension between what people believe (the rumors) and the truth of his situation (reality). This theme of rumors versus reality is significant throughout "The Great Gatsby," as the characters often grapple with societal perceptions and personal truths.

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