The Three Parties

The Three Parties 

The first party introduced was Daisy’s party which is located in the East Egg. The East Egg is described as more superior than the West Egg. The Buchanan's house is described in specific detail by Nick. He starts by describing the outside of the house, “...a cheerful red and white Georgian Colonial mansion overlooking the bay” (6), white and red are very powerful colors in which they are known to resemble wealth and power. Additionally, “French windows… with reflected gold”(6). French windows are elegant, which also resembles wealth. The gold that is reflected enhances this assumption. While he is describing the sensational structure of the house, he elaborates on the cool wind blowing in out of the windows right on the beach which signifies it is a beautiful day outside. 

The people who attended Daisy’s party included Daisy, Tom, and Jordan Baker. Nick comments on how Tom is perceived physically, in how he looks stalwart and gives off an aggressive ora. Following Nick's criticism of Tom's features, he insinuates that Tom is not well-liked, “...there were men at New Haven who had hated his guts”(7). Daisy calls him a “Hulk” later in the chapter, which resembles a big muscular angry man. The next character that is sketched out is Daisy. Daisy is Tom's wife who is described as elegant and unforgettable, “ excitement in her voice that men...found difficult to forget”(9). The other guest at this party includes Jordan Baker. She is outlined to be beautiful and uniquely featured," Her grey sun-strained eyes….charming discontented face" (11). Jordan Baker is the reason the party came to an end. Miss Baker tells Nick that Tom has been having an affair. While Tom and Daisy are fighting about the shared information, Nick expresses he felt the need to call the cops because he felt that the fight could erupt and become physical between Tom and Daisy.

Myrtle is Tom's mistress. Myrtle hosts her party at her claustrophobic apartment, “The living room was crowded to the doors with a set of tapestried furniture entirely too large for it..”(29), located in the flavorless part of New York.

 Myrtle is described as a not-so-beautiful lower-class woman. Myrtle is not a slender woman, but rather on the bigger side, “..a thickish figure of a woman blocked out the light from the office door.”(25) She possesses a strong urge to rise above the Valley of Ashes. Myrtle has a husband, Mr. Wilson who is portrayed as lifeless and miserable, but “faintly handsome”(25). As Nick illustrates Catherine many assumptions are made, “with a solid sticky bob of red hair and a complexion powdered milky white. Her eyebrows had been plucked and then drawn on..” (30), every detail that is given resembles a clown: red hair, powdered white face, drawn on eyebrows. Clowns are known to be annoying and troublesome which Catherine does very well, she gossips about her sister to Nick on Daisy being catholic and that is being the reason why Tom and Myrtle are not together. Mr. and Mrs. McKee are oddly described; the wife being manly and handsome and the husband being femininely featured. Within these descriptions, it describes how circus-like and strange this party was. This party ends due to Tom's action. Myrtle and Tom have a huge fight, Tom breaks her nose because she decides to speak about Daisy. 

At first look, Gatsby's party seemed unbelievably luxurious. Within his mansion stood a 

Rolls-Royce, a swimming pool, his beach, a feast, and a live orchestra. Many people had arrived, all who were not invited, “men and girls came and went like moths” (39). Moths are attracted to the light, the light symbolizes the party. Nick suggests that Gatsby’s guests just travel wherever the party is. 

Nick is struck by the looks of Gatsby, “He had one of those rare smiles with a quality of eternal reassurance in it, that you may come across four or five times in life.”(48) Gatsby is young and very good looking. Gatsby also loved having all the people over, instead of joining the party he watched and admired it. Owl Eyes is a middle-aged man with huge, owl-eyed spectacles, Nick finds him admiring Gatsby's enormous collection of books. 

Within Nick describing the ambiance of the party, some key factors are highlighted, “...saxophones….”(40). Here Nick is naming off the instruments being played in the orchestra at Gatsby's party, but there are no saxophones in a traditionally real orchestra. Then, “...pastry pigs…”(40) While this enormous buffet table is illustrated to be spectacular, why are pastry pigs mixed in this glamorous setup? We are also notified they are drinking champagne out of not champagne glasses but out of huge boles. These factors represent chaos. Gatsby's party consisted of many rumors like, “ Somebody told me they thought he killed a man once.’” (44) The majority of the guests created gossip about the host, some of which signify why he was wealthy. 

Out of the parties that were discussed, the one I would more so like to attend is Daisys. While Daisy's party was short and awkward. I prefer a beautiful small gathering over a drunken night that you hardly remember. My favorite part of Daisy's party was the setting which is why I would much rather attend that party over; Myrtle's party that was in a gross apartment that consisted of lots of drinking and drama and Gatsby's chaotic party that consisted of lies and rumors.