What does this setting REPRESENT within the novel? Nick’s house represents how Nick is out of place within the West Egg/East Egg society. Overlooked and forgotten, his house is similar to his treatment in West and East Egg. Nick is less important to the people surrounding him and doesn’t have the same values and makeup up as those around him. There is a sense of inability for Nick to ‘fit in’ because of this. CONTEXT: Nick Carraway moves to West Egg, just a ways away from New York, into a small house in the midst of mansions. As a brand new set of eyes in the area, Nick admires the view he has from his house. He describes the grand surroundings before settling on his own house: QUOTATION: “My own house was an eyesore, but it was a small eyesore, and it had been overlooked [...]” (pg.5) EXPLANATION: The tiny overlooked house amongst large, beautiful houses is similar to Nick’s situation. He is unaware of the …show more content…
The drawing room curtains were open, and I saw that the room was empty.” (pg. 144) EXPLANATION: While Tom attempts to be as upstanding and attractive as his house, somehow, there is always a piece missing. In the case of his house, it is the life within it. While attractive from the outside, the inside is empty of anyone interesting or exciting. This is the same case with Tom. The outward appearance he projects is attractive and upstanding, but the inside, actual personality, when no one is watching, is far from it. Tom’s house is a physical reflection of himself and the image he portrays. What is this setting SIGNIFICANCE to the story as a whole? Tom’s house is significant to the story as a whole because it is part of who Tom and Daisy are, and helps us build a better understanding of who they are trying to be. It lets us know the reality of their lives by how ambitious it is in looking pleasing, similar to the people who live within