East Egg

East and West
Egg represent, respectively, the split among upper class society of old-monied, aristocratic
families and the "nouveau riche" families whose fortunes were recently made. In the
time setting for this novel, this division was distinct and very relevant. "Old money"
was considered more respectable than "new money" and this is evident in the social
depiction of life in East Egg and life in West Egg. Consider, for example, how(who lives in East
Egg) considers 's (a West Egg resident) parties to be decadent and unlike the civilized
gatherings she is accustomed to attending.

ultimately returns west because
he has become disillusioned with east coast society. He left the west, like many people of his
era, in search of a richer, broader, cultural experience. After his experiences with Gatsby,
Nick finds the east and its attendant lifestyle to be contemptible and lacking in
authenticity.