Thanksgiving Versus Extravagance

The lavish feast of "buffet tables, garnished with glistening hors d'œvre, spiced baked hams crowded against salads of harlequin designs and pastry pigs and turkeys bewitched to a dark gold" (Fitzgerald 44) for Gatsby's party scene in The Great Gatsby is incredible. Just for sake of clarity "harlequin" means in varied colors and "hors d'œvre" are appetizers meant to be eaten by hand. All of the food and drinks combined with extravagant atmosphere create an atmosphere where judgements do not matter. Jordan says the parties are "so intimate" because at "small parties there isn't any privacy" (Fitzgerald 54). The use of the word intimate is ironic because the denotation includes a private atmosphere which is created by the relative anonymity and nonjudgmental attitude encompassed by the party atmosphere. Yet, the connotation of intimate signifies a quiet and small gathering. The use of the description of the food at the beginning of the description is also ironic comparison because the turkey and ham are symbolic of Thanksgiving and Christmas, both of which are prime times for family gatherings and being together, yet the parties have a completely opposite effect creating anonymity and a privacy in being public. Gatsby wants Daisy to come to one of his parties to become close with her once again, but his attempt to find her is misguided. He cannot use a great meaningless party with only guests that alcohol has created to find the woman he has been searching for.