Rootlessness?

Hi, I need help on my Gatsby essay, heres the question.


My Essay Question: Tom and Daisy, we are told, drifted around before settling in East Egg, and Nick expects them to continue to drift. Other characters in the novel, while not drifters, appear to be rootless. Does their rootlessness reveal a self-centered nature that negatively impacts others? In a well-developed essay, explain and support your thoughts.

I have a few questions about this very confusing essay.

Which characters in the story are rootless? What are specific examples of them being rootless?
Do you think I could use Tom or Daisy as an example as a rootless character?
Any ideas on how they have negative impacts?

I just need a few ideas to get me started, thanks a lot for your help


Thanks a billion for your help

I don't know if Tom and Daisy can be called drifters. They seemed to fit well with the rich in the East, but they moved because they are rich, careless and never bothered to value others feelings over their personal wealth. Tom in his arrogant, open affair with another man's wife. And Daisy by her shameless admiration for wealth.

Nick and Gatsby are true drifters. Gatsby was never able to truly mingle with the higher society in the East in spite of throwing numerous parties. Nick never felt comfortable with the pompous life style of Daisy, Gatsby, or Jordan.

Here are some quotes. The one below the link seems pretty apt.

http://en.wikiquote.org/wiki/The_Great_Gatsby

People disappeared, reappeared, made plans to go somewhere, and then lost each other, searched for each other, found each other a few feet away.

Nick is rootless. Although we are given information from his background, he still doesn't seem to come from anywhere. We don't really know his ambitions or what roots him anywhere.
Daisy and Tom have roots. Although neither really seem to connect with anybody, they clearly still have bonds to each other. They don't really care about the feelings of others but I wouldn't call them rootless. Lack of connection would be more apt- and that is true of every character in the novel. None of them truly connect with each other- Nick tries to connect with Gatsby but Gatsby never connects with him.

You could also mention stuff about the American Dream and the Lost Generation, and argue that Fitzgerald is depicting a rootless society.