The Big Apple Through Nick Carraway's Eyes: A Hilarious Look at the Roaring Twenties
Nick Carraway, the narrator of F. Scott Fitzgerald's The Great Gatsby, is our guide through the decadent, dazzling, and deeply weird world of New York City in the 1920s. Buckle up, because Nick's perspective is equal parts FOMO (fear of missing out) and "man, these people are nuts."
The City That Never Sleeps (Unless You Work in Bonds)
Nick, fresh off a stint in the Midwest, finds himself transplanted to the East Egg side of Long Island, a stone's throw from the even more glamorous (and morally bankrupt) West Egg. The city itself is a character – a "white chasm" of towering buildings that cast long shadows, even on a sunny morning. Nick describes his commute to his soul-sucking bond salesman job as a constant hustle against the tide of other young men, all chasing that elusive dream of getting rich quick.
Side note: Apparently, the key to success on Wall Street in the 1920s involved looking good in a white collar and knowing how to say "old money" with a wink and a nudge.
Nights Are for Living (and Questionable Decisions)
But New York isn't all work and no play. Nick soon discovers the city's wild nightlife, thanks in no small part to his mysterious neighbor, Jay Gatsby. Gatsby throws parties that would make your grandma clutch her pearls – these shindigs are overflowing with bootleg booze, flappers with questionable dance moves, and enough drama to fuel a Shakespearean play.
Important note: Nick is constantly torn between wanting to join the party and judging the heck out of everyone there. He describes the city's energy as a "constant flicker" – exciting but slightly overwhelming, like a strobe light that makes you question your life choices.
Love in the Time of Jazz (and Shady Business Deals)
Of course, no exploration of the 1920s is complete without a touch of romance (or at least a not-so-subtle yearning for it). Nick finds himself drawn to his cousin Daisy Buchanan, who embodies everything glamorous and unattainable about this era. However, Daisy is already married to the wealthy and unpleasant Tom Buchanan, a man whose moral compass seems to be perpetually stuck on "screw everyone else."
Spoiler alert (kind of): Things get messy. Nick ends up playing emotional ping pong between Daisy and another fast-talking socialite, Jordan Baker. Let's just say navigating the love life in this world is about as easy as parallel parking a Model T Ford in a hurricane.
How to Survive (and Maybe Even Thrive) in Nick Carraway's New York: A Totally Unofficial Guide
How to get invited to the best parties? Know Gatsby. Seriously, this guy throws down like nobody's business.
How to dress for success? Think F. Scott Fitzgerald himself – sharp suits, a perfectly ironed white shirt, and a hint of that "oh, this old thing?" swagger.
How to find love? Apparently, it involves a lot of pining, awkward glances across crowded rooms, and questionable decisions made under the influence of bathtub gin.
How to deal with the moral ambiguity of your surroundings? Develop a healthy sense of humor and a strong liver.
How to avoid getting caught up in other people's drama? Good luck with that. This is the Roaring Twenties, baby!
