What Does The Mansion Symbolize In The Great Gatsby

There is a distinct difference between who one is and who one thinks they should be, as we are embarrassed by our natural psyche and feel the need to hide it and present ourselves in a manner that appeals. In the The Great Gatsby by F. Scott Fiztgerald Jay Gatsby’s mansion is used as a mask that when uncovered reveals his true feelings. The descriptions and events that happen inside the mansion throughout the novel symbolize Gatsby’s evolution of attitude. At all times, the state of the mansion has a direct correlation to the state of Gatsby emotionally . From the small details, such as the depiction of his bedroom, to the larger events, like the parties Gatsby holds, it is clear that the symbols that stem from the descriptions and actions

Gatsby’s house is located in West Egg, the “new money” area of Long Island, and is first described by Nick as “a factual imitation of some Hotel de Ville in Normandy”(Fitzgerald 7) referencing a monstrous political venue in France. But despite the colossal-ness of the house, it is seemingly empty with the exception of Gatsby and his servants. Gatsby’s justification for such an empty house is revealed when Nick attends and describes the monstrous parties that Gatsby hosts. The madness of the parties that house orchestras, multiple servants, and upscale hors-d’oeuvre is a perfect representation of the elaborateness of the roaring twenties. It illustrates a prosperous decade filled with music, dancing, and most importantly wealth. The parties are filled with upper-class figures, most of whom weren’t even invited. Nick observed that “Sometimes they came and went without having met Gatsby at all, they came for the party with a simplicity of heart that was its own ticket of admission”(Fitzgerald 33). Despite the high attendance however, at the end of every night Gatsby is still alone. Gatsby doesn’t know the guests and he rarely talks to them deeming the parties meaningless. While observing the end of

This ties back to Gatsby using his house as a trophy of sorts to show off his wealth and success in an attempt to impress Daisy and “fit-in”. During the tour, Nick and Daisy are able to see Gatsby’s bedroom which Nick notes as “the simplest room of all”(Fitzgerald 71). This simpleness represents the true Gatsby. At heart, he is a simple man and the extravagance of the rest of the house is a facade to merely impress fellow people of the upper class, most importantly Daisy. Gatsby’s bedroom is the only room no one sees and is therefore the one room he feels he can actually be himself in. The simplicity of Gatsby’s bedroom exhibits the life Gatsby really wants to live; one that is peaceful, pleasant, and not flashy like his parties. Gatsby however, tries his best to hide this simplicity he desires by showing off his expensive wardrobe. He throws a multitude of shirts at Daisy to distract her from his bedroom and further promote his wealth and success, as he is embarrassed by the plainness of his room. In this section Fitzgerald emphasizes how Gatsby’s house itself, with the exception of his bedroom, is not even close to representative of his true personality. Examining the smaller details in Gatsby’s house can help paint a much larger picture of who he really