Nothingness in Chapter 7

How is the idea of nothingness explored in chapter 7 of The Great Gatsby?

1) American society is a newly established community compared to the rest of the world - doesn't have the foundations europe has

- Although  America is so keen to establish itself as it's own entity - the thing it truly wants is to be like europe with traditions and culture - will do anything to cling onto a sense of history

- Gatsby claims he attended "oxford" - a symbol of european society, showing europe is more educated and "old money" than america ever will be

- tom being "incredulous" to this is that he veiws Gatbsy as inferior due to his "new money" status, the fact he has ties to tradition threatens him

- it also shows how even "old money" tom is insecure about the lack of heart and tradition behind america, nothing to build on

- this nothingness cannot be progressed, stuck in a cycle of reaching to the void of capitalism to combat it - as america had the wealth like the europeans - but not the prestige to go with it

- contrasts the poets - all british - no sense of having to prove their country is the most powerful - rooted in sense of superiority. 

2) people from "old money", priveleged backgrounds already have everything they want, so they have nothing to strive for - leads to a sense of meaningless.

- daisy "cries" - "what will we do with ourselves this afternoon, and the day after that, and the next thirty years"

- shows their lives, in all the glory and glamour, are whittled down…