In this excerpt from The Great Gatsby , Fitzgerald primarily creates atmosphere and establishes geographic context.
Explanation:
- The passage describes the narrator’s house location ("at the very tip of the egg") and its proximity to Gatsby’s mansion, giving readers a clear sense of place.
- The detailed description of Gatsby’s mansion-its size, style, and luxurious features-helps set the scene and convey the opulence of the setting.
- While the passage hints at Gatsby’s wealth and sophistication, the main focus is on situating the reader geographically and setting the tone for the social environment of West Egg.
Why the other options are less accurate:
- Cultural differences between West Egg and East Egg: This is a theme explored elsewhere in the novel, but this passage focuses on West Egg only and does not contrast it with East Egg.
- Themes of jealousy and undying love: These themes emerge later in the story and are not directly introduced here.
- Gatsby is sophisticated and very wealthy: While Gatsby’s wealth is implied, the passage emphasizes setting more than character traits.
In summary: Fitzgerald uses setting here to create atmosphere and establish the geographic context of the story.