Alone in a Crowded Room

Solely based on the title, The Great Gatsby paints a very grand, almost royal scene.  However, Fitzgerald’s development of Gatsby paints a different image that the one I had in mind.  With the background knowledge and amount of people who recognize the name Gatsby,  I half expected people to be bowing at his feet during the party.  Yet, this was not the case.  Jordan Baker point out, “He’s just a man named Gatsby” (Fitzgerald, 48).  No one seems to even attempt to make their way towards Gatsby during the festivities either, with the exception of “the new guy”, Nick Carraway.  This could put Gatsby in one of two places.  Either people think he is too holy and perfect to go near, or no one actually knows him.  I believe all signs point to the latter.  Gatsby leads a very crowded but empty life.