In The Great Gatsby by F. Scott Fitzgerald, wealth is a prominent attribute of the majority of the characters. Some flaunt their wealth, like the residents of West Egg, while others preserve it, like the residents of East Egg. The protagonist, Jay Gatsby, is one example of someone who showcases their wealth through his popular parties every weekend. Gatsby’s parties have an ulterior motive. Although the characteristics of both “Eggs” are different, they have one similarity: Both completely abide by the rules of society, which is what leads to alienation. Most people go to Gatsby’s parties to escape the alienation they feel. In The Great Gatsby, alienation means clinging to the past, and not attempting to fix their problems. A countless amount …show more content…
Immediately after setting foot in the extravagant, luxurious mansion, they get drunk and rowdy, until they can not tell the difference between right and wrong. They drink, dance and carry on, not caring how they are behaving or what damage they may causing. They display, what Nick calls, “the behavior associated with amusement parks” (Fitzgerald 41). Through Nick’s words, Fitzgerald portrays how rowdy people can get at these parties. As Nick attends his first Gatsby party, he devours the scene around him with his curious eyes. He notices a woman standing next to the piano, the intensity of her sobs increasing with every song. With further inquiry, he finds out that that she was crying because she had fought with her husband. While taking in the information, he realized that she wasn’t the only one. Most of the remaining women were fighting with men that were their husbands. All throughout the book, the reader notices that most people did not take their relationships seriously. The only marriages seen at this party are marked by adultery, deception, and dissatisfaction. Also, it is evident that most people get so drunk, and “alive” at these parties which means that they risk losing their relationships with their loved …show more content…
On Daisy’s wedding day, Daisy says, “Take [the pearls] down-stairs and give ‘em back to whoever they belong to. Tell ‘em Daisy’s change’ her mine” (129). The pearls had in fact been a gift to Daisy from Tom, before their wedding day. By refusing to wear them, Daisy is rejecting wealth, and turns to love. Daisy only agreed to marry Tom because it was the safest path to take. He had money and status, which made him a suitable husband. When Daisy and Tom attend their first Gatsby party, Daisy spends significantly more time with Gatsby than she does with her own husband. Gatsby and Daisy kiss for the first time in five years at the party. Before seeing Gatsby again, Daisy never imagined talking to another man. Even at Nick’s tea party, the only thing that Gatsby and Daisy did was talk and catch up, almost as if they were old friends, and not lovers. This all changed at Gatsby’s party. Not only did Daisy abandon her husband, but she kissed another man. This example portrays the fact that at Gatsby’s parties, people release their inner selves and act wickedly to their heart’s consent without understanding the consequences of their