Which Party Would You Choose?

    

     The Great Gatsby is filled with multiple amusing, and lavish parties. Daisy, Myrtle, and Gatsby have all thrown their own. Each party is in direct contrast with one another and all differ in their own ways. Each party had its own guest list, venue, and events that occurred. 

Both Daisy and her husband Tom threw a dinner party that was located in East Egg. The dinner party occurred at Daisy and Tom’s residential mansion, described as, “... cheerful red-and-white Georgian Colonial mansion, overlooking the bay.” This party was more of an intimate get-together as only a few attended. Daisy’s cousin Nick, and friend Jordan Baker both came. The table was lit with grand candles and delicious, well-cooked food. The conversation of the night was mostly between both Daisy and Nick as they caught up, and filled each other in on all the events one another missed in their lives. Daisy talked about her daughter, three, and New York as a whole. Though the dinner took an awkward turn when the Buchanan phone rang. After Daisy and Tom both left, Jordan said, “Why --Tom’s got some woman in New York.” It was revealed that Tom was having an affair. Even though this was not news to Daisy it still left an awkward essence to the dinner as Daisy later talked about the best thing a woman could be, ‘a beautiful little fool’. 

    Myrtle Wilson’s party occurred shortly after. Both Nick and Tom were traveling together when they arrived at this garage. Above it lied Myrtle’s apartment. Her apartment was described to have, “ -- a small living room, a small dining room, a small bedroom, and a bath.” It was said to be completely crowded as the furniture took up most of the space. Myrtle got on the phone and rang the other party attendees. Her sister Cathrine, and a man named Mr.McKee both joined. The group drank, smoked, and talked amongst themselves. It was discovered that Tom was also having relations with Myrtle, adding to his affair. The party took a turn when Myrtle kept mentioning Daisy's name. Tom didn't feel she had the right to. The party continued for a few hours and soon ended when everyone parted ways at midnight. 

    Gatsby’s party was the most entertaining out of all of them. The Great Gatsby’s parties often included, “ … buffet tables garnished with glistening hors d'oeuvres, spiced pastry pigs … the main hall, a bar with a real brass rail … stocked gin and liquor …” There was a set orchestra equipped with oboes, trombones, saxophones, violins, and high drums. The party scene was exquisite. Everyone was in attendance and people traveled from all over New York to come. Nick Carraway and Jordan Baker, the most well-known by readers, came together and walked the scene. Considering Gatsby invited Nick personally, Nick made it his night's mission to meet the man himself. When Nick finally met Jay he described him and his comforting smile as, “ … one of those rare smiles ... It understood you just as far as you wanted to be understood.” Jay Gatsby's aura radiated kindness and compassion as he was finally revealed. 

After experiencing each party, Jay Gatsby's is undoubtedly the one I would choose to attend. His parties seem so magical and monumental. I would like to see the way everyone comes together from all over New York to celebrate, how everyone dances and enjoys their time together, and all the events in between. The reason I choose Gatsby’s over Daisy’s or Myrtle's is that to me their parties seemed average at most. Even though the Buchanan mansion seems so breathtaking and beautiful, the dinner party that took place was content and uneventful, same with Myrtle’s. In my opinion, both parties weren't really ‘parties’, but mostly get-togethers between friends, something I would not choose to attend.