The Great Gatsby - East & West Egg

In the first few chapters of the novel, Nick Carraway (narrator) introduces the readers to Tom and Daisy Buchanan of the East Egg. The Buchanan’s are defined by their inherited wealth and fortune depicted through their extravagant estate filled with luxuries such as “polo ponies.” Although the Buchanan’s life may appear to be filled with pleasure, Nick discovers underneath all those riches lay a somewhat unfulfilled life. The East Egg becomes a symbol for inherited wealth, people who have never accomplished any real meaning and spend their lives socialising and spending their riches. We also see the lack of moralistic values in the East Egg where Tom quite obviously is having an affair with a married woman. With Gatsby and Nick living in the West Egg, it stands for the opposite of the East Egg. The West Egg symbolises the determination and inner drive for self-made fortunes and wealth. Although Gatsby also lives in an extravagant mansion, he does not find meaning in materialistic items and is driven beyond his wealth; to retain his former lover, Daisy.