Blog Topic #5: Personal Review

The Great Gatsby, by F. Scott Fitzgerald, I found to be very intriguing and despite its slow start, a well- written novel about New York life in the nineteen- twenties. Fitzgerald thoroughly describes his characters through a simple plot embodying the thematic concept of the American dream and the realities of a new era. Every character had a unique level of complexity and they each appeared to have their own secrets to hide, even the smallest of characters seemed suspicious. Another recurring theme I found throughout the novel was the juxtaposition of trust and desire as well as, the overpowering idea to always be on top. Paralleling that idea, however, were the realities of how one must obtain it. In addition, Fitzgerald touches on the importance of appearing perfect; one must live the ideal life, with the perfect spouse, home, and an infinite amount of wealth.

I thoroughly enjoyed this novel, with not only its significant hidden messages, but also with its unique style. Fitzgerald writes in first person, referring to himself as Nick Carraway. By writing in first person, the author creates a feeling for the reader as if they were experiencing everything firsthand. In addition, I appreciated Fitzgerald’s employment of descriptive imagery and analogies, allowing the reader to picture every scene with heightened senses.

Although I believe this book was very interesting and well- written, I do not think the author’s purpose was well illustrated. Fitzgerald had several important lessons woven throughout the pages; however, the overarching point he was trying to accomplish, was not apparent to me. Overall, though, I really liked this novel and I believe it gives great insight into an important time period in American history.

Blog Topic #4: Text Connections

In the novel, The Great Gatsby, written by F. Scott Fitzgerald, several text-to-world connections become apparent throughout the storyline. The first connection can be seen on multiple occasions when the narrator or one of the main characters mentions “the war.” World War I had a lasting impact on many people, including Nick, the narrator, and Jay Gatsby, both of whom served in the war. The reader can relate this to today’s ongoing war in the Middle East, as many people have lost loved ones and many men and women have been deployed to fight in the war.

Another connection one can make refers to the growing problem of infidelity and increasing number of divorces. The novel focuses on a plot in which both Tom and Daisy Buchanan are having an affair with another person. In Tom’s case, he lives a complete other life, away from his wife, in New York. In modern culture, the concept of marriage has lost its original value. It is no longer a permanent entity, however, it is now thought of as a possibility. No longer do couples always marry with commitment in mind, but a temporary love. Once things begin to go awry, divorce has become too easily an option. It is easier to give up for some, than it is to work problems out.

Blog Topic #3: Syntax

• “They are not perfect ovals—like the egg in the Columbus story, they are both crushed flat at the contact end—but their physical resemblance must be a source of perpetual confusion to the gulls that fly overhead” (5).
  

On many occasions throughout Nick Carraway’s narrative, Fitzgerald writes in broken, interrupted fragments, which combine to create the inner-thoughts of the main character. These statements, in turn, further Nick’s analysis of the events taking place in his life and allow him to elaborate on confusing or difficult parts of the novel, like in this example. West Egg and East Egg are not literally eggs; however, they each have an oval-like shape to them which earns them their titles. The syntactical mechanisms used are definitely effective in Fitzgerald’s style of writing, as they allow the reader to better comprehend what is taking place, as well as, to see how Nick responds to external conflicts. In many situations, Nick had a lot to say within the boundaries of his mind, however, he became introverted when confronted in real life.

• “She had told him that she loved him, and Tom Buchanan saw. He was astounded. His mouth opened a little, and he looked at Gatsby, and then back at Daisy as if he had just recognized her as some one he knew a long time ago” (119).

In contrast with the lengthy, descriptive sentences confining Nick’s mind, is the employment of short and telegraphic statements, which compose the majority of the text framework. These terse sentences convey the facts and the purpose evidently and do not add any extra information. In addition, this form of syntax allows the different emotions in the writing to be expressed more clearly and become more apparent to the reader. This passage is significant, in that it brings the text into full circle; Tom Buchanan finally becomes aware of the fact that he was not the only one involved in a love affair and that his wife was not the person he thought she was.

Blog Topic #2: Diction

• Fitzgerald conveys an altering tone in the main character, Nick Carraway, through the use of strong, connotative diction. Near the beginning of the novel, Jordan Baker exclaims how Nick “‘[reminds her] of a—of a rose, an absolute rose’” (14), which in response, Nick simply narrates that “This was untrue. [He is] not even faintly like a rose” (14). By applying the phrase “not even faintly like a rose,” the author blatantly negates Baker’s statement. As a result, this creates a cynical and sarcastic tone, apparent through his negative words, such as “untrue” and “not even.” Nick often uses sarcasm in his narrative, to depict his little patience and annoyance with certain people, however, on occasion, he can come off as rude or impolite. Overall, though, without the author’s ironic tone, evident through his negative diction, Nick’s character would not be well- established nor, would be as strong a personality.
• Following Gatsby’s death, Nick attempts to rally several people together to attend Gatsby’s funeral, but each time, the attempt was a failure. With an exception to Gatsby’s father, Nick states that his efforts “[weren’t of] any use. Nobody came” (174). In addition, Nick continues to portray the procession and exclaims how there was “a thick drizzle” and the hearse was “horribly black and wet” (174). Nick demonstrates a shocked yet, forlorn tone in this passage through his negative descriptions and detailed imagery of the scene. He describes the physical conditions of the day of the funeral to be as dreary as the funeral itself; everything is black and wet, almost as if the sky was mourning, as well.

Blog Topic #1: Rhetorical Strategies

• Simile: “For a moment the last sunshine fell with romantic affection upon her glowing face; her voice compelled me forward breathlessly as I listened- then the glow faded, each light deserting her with lingering regret, like children leaving a pleasant street at dusk” (14). “With fenders spread like wings we scattered light through half Astoria...” (68).
• Dialect: “‘He went to Oggsford College in England. You know Oggsford College?’” (72).
• Onomatopoeia: “...only half, for as we twisted among the pillars of the elevated I heard the familiar ‘jug-jug-spat!’ of a motorcycle, and a frantic policeman rode alongside” (68). “I must have stood for a few moments listening to the whip and snap of the curtains and the groan of a picture on the wall” (8).
• Anaphora: “Her face was sad and lovely with bright things in it, bright eyes and a bright passionate mouth, but there was an excitement in her voice that men who had cared for her found difficult to forget: a signing compulsion, a whispered ‘Listen,’ a promise that she had done gay, exciting things just a while since and that there were gay, exciting things hovering in the next hour” (9).
• Hyperbole: “‘The whole town is desolate. All the cars have the left rear wheel painted black as a mourning wreath, and there’s a persistent wail all night along the north shore’” (9).
  

In The Great Gatsby, F. Scott Fitzgerald employs a wide range of rhetorical devises, all of which assist in creating his style of writing. Most commonly found throughout the novel, is Fitzgerald’s colorful use of descriptions, where he uses varied strategies such as similes and onomatopoeias in order to create a better mental picture for the reader. Similes allow the reader to better understand what is going on in the storyline through a pointed comparison. Similarly, when Fitzgerald applies onomatopoeias to the passage, not only is the reader’s sense of hearing boosted, but also, the other senses become heightened, as well. Another technique Fitzgerald reveals is the use of exaggeration and emphasis. By deliberately elaborating on some of his statements through the employment of a hyperbole, the author’s purpose becomes clearer and creates a lasting effect on the reader. In addition, Fitzgerald further emphasizes his point though repetition and multiple uses of anaphora; he purposely repeats certain phrases and statements to make his point more apparent. The final device Fitzgerald utilizes is dialect, which is used in order to make his characters appear more personable. In reality, not every person speaks the exact same way; although a group of people may all speak English, they generally each speak different versions of the language or with diverse accents. Fitzgerald creates this in his novel by spelling words differently and compelling the reader to read the word with a varied pronunciation. In the end, Fitzgerald applies several types of figurative language throughout the course of his storyline to ultimately shape his style of writing and to effectively create a better overall image for the reader.