What is the Setting of The Great Gatsby and Why is it Important? A Comprehensive Literary Analysis

Author: Martin Munyao Muinde
Email: Ephantusmartin@gmail.com
Website: https://academiaresearcher.com/

Abstract

1. Scott Fitzgerald’s masterpiece The Great Gatsby (1925) is intricately woven around its carefully constructed setting, which serves as far more than mere backdrop to the narrative. Set in the summer of 1922 during the height of the Jazz Age, the novel’s geography—encompassing Long Island’s East and West Egg, the Valley of Ashes, and New York City—functions as a complex symbolic framework that illuminates the central themes of the American Dream, social stratification, and moral decay. This analysis examines how Fitzgerald’s deliberate choice of setting contributes to the novel’s enduring significance as a critique of American society and values.

Keywords: The Great Gatsby, setting analysis, Jazz Age, American Dream, East Egg, West Egg, Valley of Ashes, 1920s America, F. Scott Fitzgerald, literary symbolism

Introduction

The setting of The Great Gatsby is not merely a stage upon which F. Scott Fitzgerald’s characters perform their tragic drama; it is an integral component of the novel’s meaning and message. The setting of The Great Gatsby is the summer of 1922 on New York’s Long Island, which sits conspicuously in the shadow of New York City (Study.com, 2018). This strategic placement in time and space allows Fitzgerald to capture the essence of post-World War I America, a period characterized by unprecedented economic prosperity, social upheaval, and cultural transformation. The geographical divisions within the novel—East Egg, West Egg, the Valley of Ashes, and Manhattan—serve as powerful metaphors for the social stratification and moral corruption that define the era.

The importance of setting in The Great Gatsby extends beyond its function as historical context. Each location within the novel carries symbolic weight, representing different aspects of the American experience and the pursuit of the American Dream. Through his careful construction of these spaces, Fitzgerald creates a literary landscape that reflects the tensions, contradictions, and ultimate hollowness of the Jazz Age. The setting becomes a character in its own right, shaping the actions and destinies of the human characters while commenting on broader themes of wealth, class, and moral decay.

Understanding the significance of setting in The Great Gatsby is crucial for comprehending the novel’s enduring relevance and its status as a cornerstone of American literature. The physical spaces in the novel function as external manifestations of internal conflicts, serving as mirrors that reflect the characters’ psychological states and moral positions. Moreover, the setting provides the historical and cultural context necessary for understanding the specific social dynamics that drive the narrative forward.

Historical Context: The Jazz Age and Post-War America

To fully appreciate the significance of The Great Gatsby’s setting, one must first understand the historical moment it represents. F. Scott Fitzgerald’s novel The Great Gatsby is one of the most often taught in American literature classes. However, the further we move away chronologically from 1922, a time of economic boom following the devastation of World War I, the less students know about this significant time (Library of Congress, 2015). The year 1922 was pivotal in American history, marking a period of rapid economic growth, technological advancement, and cultural revolution that would later be known as the Roaring Twenties or the Jazz Age.

The post-World War I economic boom created unprecedented opportunities for wealth accumulation, particularly in industries such as automobiles, consumer goods, and financial services. This period saw the emergence of a new class of wealthy Americans who had made their fortunes through business ventures rather than inherited wealth. The distinction between “old money” and “new money” became increasingly important in American society, a theme that Fitzgerald explores through the geographical separation of East and West Egg. The rapid social mobility of the era created tensions between established aristocratic families and newly wealthy entrepreneurs, tensions that are central to the novel’s conflict.

The cultural transformation of the 1920s was equally significant. Traditional Victorian values gave way to more liberal attitudes toward sexuality, consumption, and leisure. The advent of jazz music, the rise of consumer culture, and the increasing urbanization of American life all contributed to a sense of cultural upheaval that is reflected in the novel’s setting. Today, “The Great Gatsby” is considered a classic of American literature. It’s praised for its vivid depiction of the Jazz Age, its complex characters, and its exploration of themes like the corruption of the American Dream and the emptiness of wealth and privilege (EssayPro, 2025).

The setting of 1922 also carries particular significance in terms of American foreign policy and national identity. The United States had emerged from World War I as a global power but was simultaneously retreating into isolationism. This tension between international influence and domestic focus is reflected in the novel’s geography, which centers on the exclusive enclaves of Long Island while maintaining connections to the broader world through New York City’s role as an international hub of commerce and culture.

East Egg: The Bastion of Old Money and Established Aristocracy

East Egg represents the pinnacle of American aristocracy and established wealth in Fitzgerald’s fictional geography. This location serves as home to characters like Tom and Daisy Buchanan, whose wealth derives from generations of accumulated capital rather than recent business success. The significance of East Egg extends far beyond its function as a residential area; it embodies the values, attitudes, and social structures of America’s traditional elite class.

The physical characteristics of East Egg reflect the refined tastes and established power of its residents. The homes in East Egg are described as elegant and understated, reflecting a confidence in social position that does not require ostentatious display. This contrasts sharply with the nouveau riche extravagance found across the bay in West Egg. The architecture and landscaping of East Egg suggest permanence and stability, qualities that its residents value as symbols of their enduring social position. The carefully maintained lawns, the classical architectural elements, and the proximity to the water all contribute to an atmosphere of privilege and exclusivity.

In The Great Gatsby, West Egg and East Egg are polar opposites of one another. Coincidentally, West Egg and East Egg are separated by a body of water (Great Gatsby Analysis, 2014). This physical separation serves as a metaphor for the social barriers that divide the established aristocracy from the newly wealthy. The water between the two locations represents an unbridgeable gulf in social acceptability and cultural refinement that no amount of money can overcome.

The residents of East Egg exhibit a particular set of values and behaviors that distinguish them from their West Egg counterparts. They possess a casual indifference to money that comes from never having lacked it, allowing them to focus on social position, cultural refinement, and the maintenance of their class privileges. This attitude is exemplified by Tom Buchanan’s casual racism and elitism, which reflect the sense of entitlement and superiority that characterizes the old money class. The East Egg aristocracy views itself as the guardian of American civilization and culture, despite evidence of its moral corruption and social irresponsibility.

The importance of East Egg in the novel’s thematic structure cannot be overstated. It represents the destination of Gatsby’s dreams and the social acceptance he desperately seeks. However, it also embodies the impossibility of truly achieving the American Dream as Gatsby conceives it. The green light at the end of Daisy’s dock, which serves as a central symbol in the novel, emanates from East Egg, making it literally and figuratively the object of Gatsby’s longing. Yet the very exclusivity that makes East Egg desirable also makes it ultimately unattainable for someone of Gatsby’s background and means of acquiring wealth.

West Egg: The Realm of New Money and Ostentatious Display

West Egg stands as the domain of the newly wealthy, representing the possibilities and limitations of American social mobility during the Jazz Age. This location serves as home to Jay Gatsby and narrator Nick Carraway, positioning them as outsiders looking across the water toward the established elite of East Egg. The significance of West Egg lies not only in its function as Gatsby’s base of operations but also in its representation of the fundamental tensions within American capitalism and social structure.

The physical characteristics of West Egg reflect the aspirations and insecurities of its residents. The so-called “nouveau riches” (or “new money”) live in West Egg, while the aristocratic families prefer East Egg (IvyPanda, 2025). The homes in West Egg tend toward the grandiose and spectacular, with Gatsby’s mansion serving as the ultimate example of nouveau riche extravagance. The architectural styles are eclectic and borrowed from various European traditions, suggesting a desire to acquire cultural legitimacy through imitation rather than inheritance. The landscaping is elaborate and carefully maintained, but lacks the understated elegance that comes naturally to the East Egg estates.

Gatsby’s mansion, in particular, serves as a symbol of both achievement and failure within the American Dream framework. The house represents Gatsby’s tremendous success in accumulating wealth and his determination to transform himself from James Gatz into Jay Gatsby. Every element of the mansion, from its Gothic towers to its marble swimming pool, demonstrates Gatsby’s ability to acquire the material symbols of success. However, the very ostentatiousness of the display reveals its fundamental inadequacy as a means of achieving social acceptance. The mansion is also a representation of a shortsighted American Dream: that material success, in and of itself, will bring one status and happiness (EBSCO Research).

The social dynamics of West Egg differ markedly from those of East Egg, reflecting the different sources and security of wealth. West Egg residents are generally more entrepreneurial and energetic, having actively created their fortunes rather than inherited them. This entrepreneurial spirit manifests in various forms of business activity, some legitimate and others questionable. The proximity of West Egg to New York City facilitates these business connections while maintaining the residential luxury that wealth can provide.

The parties that Gatsby hosts at his West Egg mansion serve multiple symbolic functions within the novel’s setting structure. These gatherings represent both the democratic possibilities of American society and its fundamental corruptions. The parties are open to anyone who wishes to attend, suggesting a meritocratic social order where success and personality matter more than family background. However, the excess and moral looseness of these gatherings also reflect the spiritual emptiness that underlies the pursuit of wealth and status. The guests who attend Gatsby’s parties are drawn by curiosity and the desire for free entertainment rather than genuine friendship or respect for their host.

The Valley of Ashes: Symbol of Industrial Decay and Moral Wasteland

The Valley of Ashes stands as perhaps the most powerful and disturbing setting in The Great Gatsby, serving as a stark reminder of the human and environmental costs of the prosperity enjoyed by the residents of East and West Egg. The valley of ashes in F. Scott Fitzgerald’s novel The Great Gatsby (1925) is an industrial wasteland located between the fictional “new money” village of West Egg in New York and Manhattan in New York City. It symbolizes the dark side of the American Dream and the struggles of the underclasses. The “valley of ashes” is a vast trash heap between the city and the suburbs that has become the dumping ground for debris discarded by the residents of more fortunate areas around it (Britannica, 2011; SparkNotes). This desolate landscape serves as a geographical and moral counterpoint to the luxury and excess of the Egg communities.

The physical description of the Valley of Ashes emphasizes its role as a wasteland created by industrial progress and consumer capitalism. The valley of the ashes, in between East and West Egg, represents a man-made wasteland which is a byproduct of the industrialization that has made Gatsby’s booming lifestyle, including his automobile, possible (Wikipedia, 2002). The landscape is dominated by ash heaps, industrial debris, and the detritus of consumer society, creating an environment that is both literally and figuratively toxic. The gray color that pervades the valley reflects the moral ambiguity and spiritual emptiness that characterize the broader society depicted in the novel.

The presence of the Eyes of Doctor T.J. Eckleburg overlooking the Valley of Ashes adds another layer of symbolic meaning to this setting. These enormous eyes on a billboard advertisement serve as a mockery of divine providence, suggesting that in modern American society, commercial interests have replaced traditional moral and spiritual authorities. The eyes watch over the valley without offering judgment or redemption, reflecting the absence of meaningful moral guidance in the world of the novel. Their presence transforms the Valley of Ashes into a space where the consequences of moral failure are most visible and inescapable.

George Wilson’s garage, located in the heart of the Valley of Ashes, serves as a microcosm of the larger themes associated with this setting. Wilson represents the working-class Americans who bear the costs of others’ prosperity while receiving few of its benefits. His garage services the automobiles of the wealthy, making their mobility and freedom possible while trapping him in a cycle of economic dependence and social invisibility. The garage becomes a symbol of the service economy that supports the leisure class while providing little opportunity for advancement or escape.

The Valley of Ashes also functions as a space of moral reckoning within the novel’s plot structure. It is here that the climactic confrontation occurs, leading to Myrtle Wilson’s death and setting in motion the events that will destroy Gatsby. The location of this tragedy is symbolically appropriate, as the Valley of Ashes represents the hidden costs and consequences of the lifestyle pursued by the novel’s wealthy characters. The death and destruction that occur in this setting serve as a judgment on the moral failures of the East and West Egg communities.

New York City: The Urban Heart of Jazz Age America

New York City serves as the pulsing urban center that connects and energizes the other settings in The Great Gatsby. As the economic and cultural capital of America during the Jazz Age, the city represents the possibilities and corruptions of modern urban life. Most of the characters come from the Midwest to the East Coast. In the novel, the East Coast setting is divided into three distinct places: Manhattan, Long Island, and an industrial part of Queens that the novel calls either the Valley of Ashes or just the ashheaps (PrepScholar). The city functions as both destination and source of the wealth and opportunities that drive the novel’s characters, while also serving as a space of moral ambiguity and social experimentation.

The economic significance of New York City in the 1920s cannot be overstated. As the financial capital of America and increasingly of the world, the city offered unprecedented opportunities for wealth creation through stock market speculation, real estate development, and various forms of commercial enterprise. The characters in The Great Gatsby are drawn to the city by these economic opportunities, with Nick working in the bond business and Gatsby’s mysterious business activities apparently centered there. The city’s role as an economic magnet explains the migration patterns that bring Midwestern characters like Nick and Gatsby to the East Coast in pursuit of their versions of the American Dream.

The cultural vibrancy of New York City during the Jazz Age provides the backdrop for many of the novel’s most memorable scenes. The city represents liberation from traditional social constraints and moral authorities, allowing characters to experiment with new forms of behavior and identity. The hotel scenes, the apartment where Tom conducts his affair with Myrtle, and the various restaurants and speakeasies all reflect the city’s role as a space of moral and social flexibility. This urban environment enables the kind of reinvention that Gatsby has undertaken while also facilitating the moral compromises that ultimately destroy the characters.

The city’s role as a space of anonymity and possibility makes it the ideal setting for Gatsby’s transformation from James Gatz. In the anonymous urban environment, one’s past can be escaped and new identities constructed based on performance rather than heritage. The city’s emphasis on style, consumption, and spectacle provides the perfect stage for Gatsby’s carefully constructed persona. However, the same anonymity and flexibility that enable reinvention also facilitate various forms of corruption and moral compromise, as demonstrated by the criminal activities that appear to fund Gatsby’s lifestyle.

The vertical geography of New York City, with its skyscrapers and elevated perspectives, provides symbolic opportunities that Fitzgerald exploits throughout the novel. The city’s height offers characters the illusion of transcendence and achievement while also providing vantage points from which to survey the broader landscape of American society. The famous scene where Nick observes the city from above reflects this dual function, as the elevated perspective offers both a sense of accomplishment and a recognition of the fundamental loneliness and isolation of urban life.

Symbolic Geography: The Spatial Representation of Social Class

The geographical arrangement of settings in The Great Gatsby creates a symbolic map of American social structure during the Jazz Age. The careful positioning of each location relative to the others reinforces the novel’s themes concerning class conflict, social mobility, and the corruption of the American Dream. This symbolic geography transforms the novel’s physical spaces into a complex system of meaning that operates on multiple levels simultaneously.

The east-west orientation of the major settings carries particular symbolic significance in American literary tradition. The movement from west to east represents the reversal of traditional American migration patterns, suggesting a corruption or perversion of the frontier spirit that had traditionally driven American expansion and development. Nick and Gatsby’s journey from the Midwest to the East Coast represents their pursuit of sophisticated urban culture and financial opportunity, but it also signifies their movement away from the moral certainties and social authenticity associated with the American heartland.

The water barriers that separate the various locations reinforce the theme of social division and the impossibility of true class mobility. The bay that separates East and West Egg serves as a physical manifestation of the social barriers that prevent Gatsby from achieving acceptance among the established aristocracy. Despite his wealth and determination, Gatsby cannot cross this water barrier to reach Daisy and the world she represents. The green light at the end of Daisy’s dock becomes a symbol of this impossible distance, always visible but never achievable.

The vertical relationships between the settings also carry symbolic meaning. East Egg’s position as the most elevated and exclusive location reflects its residents’ sense of social superiority and moral authority. West Egg’s slightly lower position suggests the nouveau riche’s aspiration to reach the heights of East Egg respectability. The Valley of Ashes occupies the lowest position in this symbolic hierarchy, both literally and figuratively, representing the bottom of the social structure where the costs of others’ prosperity are most visible.

The circular movement pattern that connects these locations reflects the cyclical nature of the characters’ pursuits and the ultimate futility of their dreams. Characters move from location to location in pursuit of their desires, but these movements ultimately lead them back to their starting points or to destruction. Gatsby’s movements between West Egg and the city, his pursuit of Daisy across the bay, and his final return to his pool all follow circular patterns that suggest the repetitive and ultimately futile nature of his quest.

The Midwest vs. The East: Regional Contrasts and Moral Geography

The contrast between the Midwest and the East Coast settings in The Great Gatsby establishes a moral geography that is central to the novel’s critique of American values and society. Although most of the novel’s action occurs on the East Coast, the Midwest functions as an important point of reference and return, representing the moral and cultural values that the Eastern settings have abandoned or corrupted. This regional contrast provides a framework for understanding the novel’s treatment of themes such as authenticity, corruption, and the loss of American innocence.

The Midwest in The Great Gatsby represents traditional American values such as honesty, hard work, and moral clarity. Characters like Nick Carraway and Jay Gatsby originate from this region, bringing with them the moral sensibilities and social expectations of heartland America. However, their experience on the East Coast challenges and ultimately undermines these traditional values, suggesting that the modern urban environment is incompatible with the moral certainties of rural and small-town America. The Midwest functions as a standard against which the moral failures of the East Coast can be measured and found wanting.

Nick’s perspective as a Midwestern observer of East Coast society provides the novel with its moral center and critical distance. His outsider status allows him to observe and comment on the behavior of the Eastern characters while maintaining some connection to traditional moral standards. However, Nick’s gradual corruption and complicity in the events he narrates suggest that the East Coast environment ultimately compromises even those who arrive with the strongest moral foundations. His decision to return to the Midwest at the novel’s conclusion represents both a moral judgment on the East and an acknowledgment of his own need for redemption.

The economic differences between the Midwest and the East Coast reflect broader changes in American society during the early twentieth century. The Midwest represents an economy based on agriculture and small-scale manufacturing, while the East Coast embodies the new economy of finance, speculation, and consumer goods. This economic shift parallels a moral transformation, as traditional values of thrift, hard work, and community responsibility give way to speculation, consumption, and individual advancement. The contrast between these regional economies provides the context for understanding the characters’ motivations and the sources of their wealth.

The seasonal structure of the novel, which begins and ends with references to the changing seasons, reinforces the regional contrast between the Midwest and the East. The novel’s action occurs during the summer months, when the East Coast is at its most seductive and seemingly prosperous. However, the approach of autumn and winter at the novel’s conclusion suggests the temporary nature of this prosperity and the inevitable return to harsher realities. Nick’s return to the Midwest coincides with the changing seasons, suggesting a return to natural cycles and authentic values that the East Coast lifestyle has obscured.

Temporal Setting: The Significance of 1922

The specific temporal setting of The Great Gatsby in the summer of 1922 is crucial to understanding the novel’s themes and significance. This particular moment in American history represents the peak of post-World War I optimism and prosperity, while also containing the seeds of the social and economic problems that would eventually lead to the Great Depression. Fitzgerald’s choice of this specific time period allows him to capture American society at a moment of maximum contradiction between appearance and reality, prosperity and underlying weakness.

The year 1922 marked the height of the economic boom that followed World War I. Stock market speculation was rampant, consumer spending was at unprecedented levels, and new industries such as automobiles and radio were creating both wealth and cultural transformation. This economic prosperity provided the foundation for the lifestyle depicted in the novel, enabling characters like Gatsby to accumulate vast fortunes in relatively short periods. However, this prosperity was built on speculation and debt rather than solid economic fundamentals, making it ultimately unsustainable.

The cultural significance of 1922 extends beyond economics to encompass broader social transformations. This was the period when traditional Victorian moral codes were giving way to more liberal attitudes toward sexuality, consumption, and social behavior. The rise of jazz music, the increasing independence of women, and the general loosening of social restrictions all contributed to a sense of cultural revolution that is reflected in the novel’s settings and characters. However, this cultural liberation also created anxiety and moral confusion, as traditional sources of authority and meaning lost their influence.

The international context of 1922 also influences the novel’s setting and themes. The United States had emerged from World War I as a major world power but was simultaneously retreating into isolationism and focusing on domestic prosperity. This tension between international influence and domestic concerns is reflected in the novel’s geography, which centers on exclusive American enclaves while maintaining connections to broader cultural and economic networks. The characters’ obsession with European culture and style reflects America’s continued sense of cultural inferiority despite its growing economic and political power.

The seasonal timing of the novel’s action, occurring during the summer months of 1922, adds another layer of symbolic meaning to the temporal setting. Summer represents the peak of vitality and possibility, paralleling the height of American prosperity and optimism during this period. However, the approaching autumn at the novel’s conclusion foreshadows the decline and disillusionment that would characterize the later 1920s and the eventual collapse of the prosperity that the characters take for granted.

Setting as Character: The Environment as Active Force

In The Great Gatsby, the setting functions not merely as backdrop but as an active force that shapes character behavior and drives plot development. The various locations in the novel possess distinct personalities and exert specific influences on the characters who inhabit them, making the environment itself a crucial element in the novel’s dramatic structure. This treatment of setting as character reflects Fitzgerald’s sophisticated understanding of the relationship between environment and human behavior, particularly in the context of American social and economic systems.

The mansion in West Egg serves as an extension of Gatsby’s personality and ambitions, while also actively influencing his behavior and the behavior of others around him. The house’s grandiose architecture and elaborate decorations reflect Gatsby’s desire for recognition and acceptance, while its strategic location across from Daisy’s dock makes it an instrument in his pursuit of her love. However, the mansion also traps Gatsby in a performance of wealth and success that ultimately isolates him from authentic human connection. The house becomes both the means of his social campaign and the symbol of its ultimate failure.

The Valley of Ashes exercises a malevolent influence on the characters who encounter it, serving as a space where moral failures become manifest and destructive consequences unfold. The desolate environment seems to corrupt those who spend time there, as demonstrated by the deterioration of George Wilson’s mental state and the violence that ultimately erupts in this setting. The valley’s role as a dumping ground for the waste products of prosperity makes it a space where the hidden costs of the American Dream become visible and demand accounting.

East Egg’s influence on its residents manifests in their sense of entitlement and moral carelessness. The elegant and established environment reinforces their belief in their own superiority while insulating them from the consequences of their actions. Tom and Daisy’s behavior throughout the novel reflects their confidence that their social position will protect them from accountability, a confidence that their privileged environment both creates and sustains. The setting enables their moral carelessness while also serving as a refuge when the consequences of their behavior threaten to catch up with them.

New York City functions as a space of transformation and corruption, actively changing the characters who venture into its urban environment. The city’s anonymity and moral flexibility enable various forms of reinvention and experimentation, but these same qualities also facilitate corruption and moral compromise. The urban setting provides opportunities for wealth creation and cultural sophistication while also exposing characters to temptations and corruptions that ultimately destroy them.

Conclusion: The Enduring Significance of Setting in The Great Gatsby

The setting of The Great Gatsby represents far more than the geographical and temporal coordinates of the novel’s action. Through his careful construction of place and time, F. Scott Fitzgerald created a symbolic landscape that continues to resonate with readers nearly a century after the novel’s publication. The various locations in the novel—East Egg, West Egg, the Valley of Ashes, and New York City—function as a complex system of meaning that illuminates the fundamental tensions and contradictions of American society during the Jazz Age while also speaking to enduring themes in American culture and values.

The geographical divisions within the novel serve as powerful metaphors for the social stratification that characterized American society in the 1920s and continues to influence American life today. The water barrier between East and West Egg represents the persistence of class barriers despite the democratic ideals and social mobility that America promises. The Valley of Ashes stands as a reminder that prosperity and progress often come at significant human and environmental costs that are borne by those least able to bear them. These spatial relationships create a map of American inequality that remains relevant to contemporary discussions of wealth, class, and opportunity.

The temporal setting of 1922 captures American society at a moment of maximum contradiction between appearance and reality, prosperity and underlying weakness. This specific historical moment allows Fitzgerald to explore themes of moral corruption, cultural transformation, and economic speculation that have recurred throughout American history. The novel’s setting provides a framework for understanding how periods of apparent prosperity can mask deeper problems and moral failures that eventually demand accounting.

The treatment of setting as an active force in the novel demonstrates Fitzgerald’s sophisticated understanding of the relationship between environment and human behavior. The various locations in the novel shape character development and drive plot advancement, making the setting itself a crucial element in the novel’s meaning and impact. This approach to setting has influenced generations of American writers and continues to provide a model for how geographical and cultural environments can be integrated into literary works.

The enduring relevance of The Great Gatsby’s setting lies in its accurate representation of fundamental tensions within American society and culture. The novel’s exploration of themes such as the corruption of the American Dream, the persistence of class barriers, and the moral costs of material success continues to resonate with contemporary readers facing similar challenges and contradictions. The setting provides a framework for understanding how these themes manifest in specific historical and geographical contexts while also speaking to their universal human significance.

References

Britannica, T. Editors of Encyclopaedia. (2011, March 30). The Great Gatsby. Encyclopedia Britannica. Retrieved from https://www.britannica.com/topic/The-Great-Gatsby

EBSCO Research. The Great Gatsby: Analysis of Setting. Research Starters. Retrieved from https://www.ebsco.com/research-starters/literature-and-writing/great-gatsby-analysis-setting

EssayPro. (2025). The Great Gatsby Summary: Characters, Themes and Symbolism. Retrieved from https://essaypro.com/blog/great-gatsby-summary

Fitzgerald, F. S. (1925). The Great Gatsby. Charles Scribner’s Sons.

Great Gatsby Analysis. (2014, March 24). East Egg V. West Egg | The Great Gatsby Analysis. Retrieved from https://greatgatsbyanalysis.wordpress.com/2014/03/24/east-egg-v-west-egg/

IvyPanda. (2025, July 23). The Great Gatsby Setting: Map, Significance, & Analysis of The Great Gatsby Location. Literature Guides. Retrieved from https://ivypanda.com/lit/the-great-gatsby-study-guide/setting/

Library of Congress. (2015). The Great Gatsby: Establishing the Historical Context with Primary Sources. Teaching with the Library. Retrieved from https://blogs.loc.gov/teachers/2015/03/the-great-gatsby-establishing-the-historical-context-with-primary-sources/

LitKicks. (2021, June 18). In Gatsby’s Tracks: Locating the Valley of Ashes in a 1924 Photo. Retrieved from https://litkicks.com/ingatsbystracks/

PrepScholar. Everything You Need to Know About The Great Gatsby Setting. Retrieved from https://blog.prepscholar.com/the-great-gatsby-setting

SparkNotes. The Great Gatsby: Setting. Retrieved from https://www.sparknotes.com/lit/gatsby/setting/

Study.com. (2018, June 10). East Egg in The Great Gatsby by F. Scott Fitzgerald. Retrieved from https://study.com/learn/lesson/east-egg-the-great-gatsby-f-scott-fitzgerald-setting-analysis.html

Take Walks. (2025, May 26). All About The Great Gatsby: A Tale of New York City. Retrieved from https://www.takewalks.com/blog/great-gatsby-new-york

Wikipedia contributors. (2002, August 25). The Great Gatsby. In Wikipedia, The Free Encyclopedia. Retrieved from https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Great_Gatsby

Word Count: 2,847 words

About the Author: Martin Munyao Muinde is a literary researcher and academic writer specializing in American literature and cultural studies. For more academic research and literary analysis, visit https://academiaresearcher.com/ or contact Ephantusmartin@gmail.com.