Great Gatsby: Juxtaposition

"I began to like New York, the racy, adventurous feel of it at night, and the satisfaction that the constant flicker of men and women and machines gave to the restless eye." (Page 57)

It's no coincidence that good ole F. Scott put Nick's description of New York right after his first encounter with one of Gatsby's parties. He wanted to juxtapose the energy and excitement generally connected with both places. At Gatsby's party, there are ridiculous amounts of people wandering about the house and grounds. Some are famous and all are engrossed in their own little world of entertainment for the evening. The same is true of New York. There are certainly famous people roaming around New York, and all of the citizens are trying to live their lives in their own way while also enjoying themselves. There is quite a hustle and bustle in both situations, and Nick likes to sit back and watch the comings and goings of each is he is not presently engaged in some conversation or activity. Fitzgerald knew what he was doing when he equated Gatsby's home to New York simply by placing them page to page in the book.

Looks a bit like the front cover of the book, doesn't it?