Question

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 1

- To establish the geographical context — Yes. (“tip of the egg,” “fifty yards from the Sound,” proximity to other estates locates the scene.)
- To create atmosphere — Yes. (Lavish details — “colossal,” “marble swimming pool,” “forty acres,” imitation Hotel de Ville — build an opulent, showy mood.)
- To suggest possible conflicts — Yes. (The cramped placement between huge estates, the conspicuous wealth and rental amounts hint at social tension and class competition.)

Not applicable: To establish the historical context (the excerpt implies wealth but doesn’t explicitly set a time period), To avoid discussing a cultural background, To introduce the story’s villain.