Use of Geopgraphy and Setting in “The Great Gatsby”

Geography is very important in the novel because it tells the story of Gatsby, a man
who wants to be rich for the girl he loves. The novel is mainly based on the social inequalities
of the time and how it effects the people. Fitzgerald shows not only the stark contrast
between the Valley of the Ashes and the East & West Egg but also the difference between the
old money and the new money and it’s connotations.

Our protagontist, Gatsby, a self made person, aims to be one of the elite and he
succeedes too; but no matter how rich he becomes he will never be like the people from East
Egg. He thinks he can change his past but he can’t. The writer uses geography to point out the
fact that the American Dream is an illusion, and no matter how rich you make yourself by
working hard; you can never be like someone who is from an old aristocrat family.

Valley of the Ashes also plays a big role to show a stark contrast between the different
economical statuses of the time. The characters from the Valley of the Ashes are poor and
unhappy, the location is described as a dark, gloomy and sickness ridden place. Even Wilson
is described as looking “green” at one point, indicating that he is sick because of the living
conditions there.

Fitzgerald uses geography to convey his beliefs about the American Dream and how
money and economical status affect the people of the time.