Architecture in The Great Gatsby

After reading Edith Wharton’s House of Mirth, I was interested in looking at the architecture that characterized the “Gilded Age.” More specifically, after researching different styles of the time, I found there to be two distinct varieties. Homes were either in the Beaux Art style or replicas of Rhine Valley Castles. In F. Scott Fitzgerald’s The Great Gatsby the description of the Buchanan’s house is in the Beaux Art style, while Gatsby’s home resembles a medieval castle. The discrepancy between their architectural styles suggest that the Buchanan’s are more up-to-date on current styles, while Gatsby can merely copy styles from the past.

The Buchanan’s home is based on the classic styles of Greco Roman architecture. Beaux Art originated in France and was based on neo-classical style. However, it is more exaggerated and elaborate. Feature of the Beaux Art style include balustrades, balconies, massive structures, columns, cornices, pilasters, pediments, and grand stairways. Nick describes their house stating:

“Across the courtesy bay the white palaces of fashionable East Egg glittered along the water… Their house was even more elaborate than I expected, a cheerful red-and white Georgian Colonial mansion, overlooking the bay… The front was broken by a line of French windows, glowing now with reflected gold and wide open to the warm windy afternoon…a breeze blew through the room…twisting [the curtains] up toward the frosted wedding-cake of a ceiling” (6-8).

Not only is their house on the fashionable “Egg,” but it is also in the correct classical style. The architecture is timeless and seems to blend effortlessly with the landscape. The Buchanan’s understand how to play the performance of wealth and their home aptly highlights this.

Conversely, Gatsby’s home is in the gothic style. This palatial and almost gaudy style seems out of place on Long Island. Nick explains:

“The one on my right was a colossal affair by any standard—it was a factual imitation of some Hotel de Ville in Normandy, with a tower on one side, spanking new under a thin beard of raw ivy, and a marble swimming pool” (5).

Nick describes Gatsby’s house as a “factual imitation” highlighting the absence of originality in its design. Everything about the home is new and unused, further suggesting how out of place the castle is. Like his house, Gatsby can attempt to replicate correct manners, but it always appears archaic and just out of touch.

Fitzgerald’s use of architecture to suggest the characterization of the Buchanans and Gatsby before readers are introduced to them highlights the importance of appearance. Although Nick claims to be unbiased, his first impression of his neighbors affects the way he constructs them. Thus the performance of wealth yet again dominates actual monetary value.