Geography and Social Class in the Great Gatsby and Modern United States

Geography and social class in the Great Gatsby was and still is reflection of both contemporary United States and in the United States today. Geography sets a clear divide between the main, key characters in the novel. Even though it's representation in a literal sense depicts life more in 1920's it still holds some truth in today's society in the United States.

East Egg is representative of the old values of America. This can be seen by Nick moving back to East Egg. Nick represents a paradigm of virtue, alliterated in the first page when he talks of 'not judging others' and how others may not be as fortunate as he would be. West Egg is representative of new money and new wealth and the Valley of Ashes is representative of the decay of the American Dream. New York City represents the immoral pursuit of wealth and a lavish lifestyle.

The geography in this novel sets a scene so the audience can better understand how environment can have a baring on social class and mobility. For example, the very name: 'The Valley of Ashes' lends an idea to the audience that this area in the novel is like a 'wasteland', where the outcasts and people of the lower classes dwell. This in contrast to somewhere like New York City (a state of high fashion, high culture and wealth during the 1920's) shows up an interesting Binary Opposition and the differences between the different classes are better highlighted through their setting and environment.

This is still true to this day in terms of location and social class. Geography has a very strong baring on how one will fair in social status and social mobility. If someone is born in an underprivledged area, such as the projects, they are less likely to succeed than someone who is born into a middle class family in the suburbs. So in terms of this, this was an accurate representation made by Fitzgerald.