Old money, New money and Everybody Else

In the world of the Great Gatsby, there is a very strict and rigid social structure. The two most prominent groups that Nick first writes about are those of old money, East Egg, and of New money, West Egg. While both live fabulous and envious lifestyles, there are some obvious differences. Old money, or East Egg, are very traditional and reserved. They respect the ways of their ancestors and don't stray much from the old tradition. These people are very quiet about their wealth. While they are obviously rich and comfortable, they are not flashy in any way. On the other hand, there is West Egg. West Egg, as Nick puts it, is the "less fashionable of the two". This community is made up of the nouveau riche, those who are remarkably rich but have only recently become so. They do not have the prestige of an old family name like old money does. The new money poeple are flashy and obnoxious in the ways they display their wealth, with huge mansions and over the top parties, like Gatsby's. The inhabitants of East Egg almost look down upon West Egg, they see them as tacky and less classy then themselves. However different the two classes may be, they are both privlige to the lavish lifestyle of the Jazz Age.