The Great Gatsby takes place primarily on Long Island, New York, during the summer of 1922. The main locations are the fictional communities of West Egg and East Egg, which are based on real areas of Long Island such as Great Neck and Port Washington. West Egg, where Nick Carraway and Jay Gatsby live, represents the "new money" class, while East Egg, home to Daisy and Tom Buchanan, symbolizes "old money" and established wealth. The story also frequently moves to New York City, where characters engage in business and social activities. Additionally, the novel features the Valley of Ashes, an industrial area between Long Island and Manhattan that symbolizes moral decay. These settings collectively highlight the social divisions and themes of wealth, class, and ambition central to the novel