Gatsby as Trimalchio

"It was when curiosity about Gatsby was at its highest that the lights in his house failed to go on one Saturday night - and, as obscurely as it began, his career as Trimalchio was over."

Trimalchio is the vulgar social upstart of immense wealth in Petronius's Satyrion, particapating in banquets of unimaginable luxury and a master of sexual and gastronomic revels.

Fitzgerald's working titles for the novels included 'Trmalchio' and 'Trimalchio in West Egg', but Gatsby is only called it once in the novel.

Similarities:

• Gatsby used to be a bit of a player before he fell in love with Daisy
• Both obsessed with time
• Fear  of transience - too little time left
• Trimalchio has a 'green ball' while Gatsby has Daisy's 'green light'
• Trimalchio served eggs at his banquet while Gatsby lives in 'West egg'

Differences:

• Gatsby doesn't participate in his own parties