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Rhetorical and stylistic choices made by fitzgerald in the great gatsby
The writing style of the great gatsby
The writing style of the great gatsby
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Yin and Yang in The Great Gatsby The philosophy of Yin and Yang relates to the relationship of characters in many modern day novels. In F. Scott Fitzgerald’s The Great Gatsby, Gatsby loves Tom’s wife Daisy and throws parties hoping that she will show up. Tom is cheating on Daisy with Myrtle, a woman from a low-class family in the Valley of Ashes. Meanwhile, Daisy’s cousin Nick Carraway moves to town and meets Jordan Baker and develops a relationship her. The philosophy of Yin and Yang is consistent with the major relationships in the novel. The Yin and Yang philosophy represents the two sides and balance in every relationship. The Yin and Yang theory is representation of a perfect and balanced relationship. “Yin-yang is an ancient Chinese …show more content…
Each persona in the Yin and Yang symbol depicts a part of the everyday activities of people in the world. “The yin is the feminine or negative principle and is characterized as dark, wetness, cold, and passivity. The yang is the masculine or positive principle and is characterized by light, warmth, dryness, and activity” (Barnard). This quote tells us that both yin and yang represent many different elements in the world. Although each side completely differ, they contain each other in themselves. “Symbolically, the philosophy of yin-yang is depicted as a circle divided equally by an S-shaped line into dark and light segments, each containing a drop of the other” (Barnard). These two quotes shows that even though people can be completely different they can still contain a small aspect of the other …show more content…
When the readers first meet Daisy, she is living the party lifestyle. Daisy is a nice woman, but she is very superficial (Fitzgerald 8). This tells the readers that although Daisy is fake, but is kind. On the other hand, when Myrtle is talking to Tom and her sister Catherine, she becomes defensive and aggressive. “The answer to this was unexpected. It came from Myrtle, who had overheard the question, and it was violent and obscene” (Fitzgerald 33). These to statements show that although they are both clueless, they have personality traits that set them
When comparing Daisy and Myrtle it is important to note that they are both extremely unhappy with the person they are married to. Both woman are having affairs, Daisy with gatsby and Myrtle with Tom. For example, daisy is described in the novel as a glamorous and charming. She is kind and always has endearing words to say when she is talking to people.
Myrtle appears as the total opposite character to the Daisy. She is ‘thick, faintly stout” (Fitzgerald 29), but “sensuously” and “immediately perceptible about her vitality” (Fitzgerald 29). She is the woman from “the bottom” who wants to be acceptable as a lady from the upper class. She is terribly vulgar, but she is more alive and natural than Daisy is. The unpleasant scene in their apartments, where Carraway appeared because of Myrtle’s invitation, is full of the philistine contentment and boasting.
Daisy never had any real power but she did defy her husband in simple ways. She would mock and tease him which slowly deteriorated Tom’s control. Tom force against Daisy was not fulfilling him enough so he decided to cheat on her. In Chapter 2, Tom introduces Nick to his mistress, Myrtle. The trio heads off to the apartment that Tom bought for Myrtle and him. Friends and neighbors are invited over, alcohol is introduced, and the “fun” begins. At one point during the party, Tom and Myrtle are having a discussion on whether or not she should be able to mention Daisy’s name. Myrtle says Daisy’s name repeatedly and Tom is furious. He lost control and to gain it back he, “...broke her nose with his open hand” (Fitzgerald 37). By this scene though we can conclude that Tom does not respect Myrtle. She wanted to express her own opinion but that was overwhelming for Tom. “I want you to meet my girl,” He never refers to Myrtle by her name, only “my girl” (Fitzgerald 24). For the most part, Myrtle thinks of Tom as this fierce and perfect man. He is wealthy and buys her almost everythings.In his eyes they do not deserve to have their names be
Even though there are many differences between Myrtle and Daisy there are also some similarities. Myrtle and Daisy are both abused by tom in different ways which shows that the novel suggests that women in the 1920’s were dominated by men in different ways. Regardless of class, tom’s abusive actions towards both daisy and Myrtle shows that he hold no remorse for his abusive actions towards any woman regardless of their wealth or social status. This shows the reader that no matter how successful a woman is the male will always be dominant. However, Tom does treat Daisy with more
Tom realizes her desperate situation and takes total advantage of her. The clearest example of this is when Myrtle shouts Daisy’s name and Tom warns her not to say it again but Myrtle says Daisy's name anyway. Tom Buchanan in a “A short deft movement..., breaks her nose with his open hand.” Tom views her as not even being allowed to lick the dirt of his shoe. She is just another one of Tom’s possessions. Myrtle isn’t even allowed to say Daisy's name. He knows that she's in desperate situation. Tom is all she has and he knows this, he could do whatever he wants. He realizes that without her she will have to go back to George’s measly garage and she doesn't want that. Therefore Tom takes control of her desperation. Additionally, at the party, Catherine tells Nick that neither of them can stand the person they’re married to. They don't divorce and marry one another because Daisy is a Catholic. Nick knows that Tom is lying indicating to the reader, yet again, that Tom uses Myrtle for his own pleasure. She is nothing to him and he could do this because of Myrtle’s desperation. Another example in the novel is Mr. McKee asks Tom for a reference to be able to work in West Egg and Tom replies “Ask Myrtle,” said Tom, breaking into a short shout of laughter as Mrs. Wilson entered with a tray. “She’ll give you a letter of introduction, won’t you Myrtle?” She answers in confusion “Do what?” Tom is mocking her in front of
Tom Buchanan is a man from the upper class of society that believes he is better than everyone and is described by Nick as a man with “Two shining arrogant eyes had established of always leaning aggressively forward.” (Fitzgerald 11) . He is a man with no morals and has an affair with a mistress named Myrtle Wilson. Myrtle is part of the lower class and her morals are just as low as Tom. Myrtle attempts to use Tom to move up in society. Myrtle puts on her best dress and tries to entertain the guests when she goes out with Tom. Myrtle attempts to entertain the guest by acting like a superior because she thinks she will sound fancier. This only makes her seem more foolish and seem like the low class person she truly is. Tom sees Myrtle as an inferior human being and treats her with disrespect. Myrtle knows about Tom’s wife Daisy and uses her name to tease him. With no remorse “Tom Buchanan broke her nose with his open hand.” (Fitzgerald 41) when Myrtle disrespected Tom by repeating Daisy’s name. Myrtle is an easy target for Tom and finds satisfaction in feeling superior to Myrtle. Myrtle knows she's not as
For example they both have affairs. While myrtle has an affair with Daisy’s husband Tom Buchanan, Daisy has an affair with her long lost love Jay Gatsby. Daisy met Gatsby before the war and promised to wait for him. Obviously she did not but you can clearly feel that she still has feelings for Gatsby and that is probably why she decides that being unfaithful toward Tom is the right thing to do. Also Daisy already knew that tom had an affair therefore she probably felt that she wanted some revenge. Although both women had affairs their motives of having one is not the same. Daisy had an affair with her long lost love whom she never forgot about and Myrtle’s motives of having an affair is the expensive gifts Tom bought
She is the elephant in the room that gets Daisy all riled up not because she called at dinner time, even though that’s why she said she was mad, but instead because Tom answered the call and shut the door all secretively while they had guests. Even though Myrtle was just some no named woman, the fact that Tom had answered the call instead of just letting it ring shows her importance in Tom’s mind. Miss Baker said “you don’t know” and was surprised like it is some generic thing that everyone should know but doesn’t talk about. Myrtle is just described as Tom’s just she is just something he has and isn’t her own person. This is because she is called, “my girl” (24) and is told what to do by Tom and she only is seen when Tom wants to see her, she is never mentioned in the book without him. I question why Myrtle would let herself be treated like this, but she believed that Tom loved her and not Daisy. Tom is a conniving character to both Myrtle and Daisy. He tells them both that he loves them and to Myrtle he said they’d be married if Daisy wasn’t a Christian, but when he realizes Daisy is having an affair he gets furious with her even though he’s doing the same thing. Myrtle and Daisy are treated badly and to different standards than Tom which lowers their importance and
The gender differences in the novel are first subtly admitted by Nick, ‘I drove over there to have dinner with the Tom Buchannan’s.’ Nick refers to the Buchannan’s as the ‘Tom Buchannan’s’ subtly acknowledging the fact that Daisy has no control or power within the relationship. She embodies the role of Tom’s simple and self-centered ‘trophy wife’, relating to the idea she is perceived as an object rather than a person. She usually wears white or cream dresses which juxtaposes and highlights her corruption as she begins an affair with Gatsby and ultimately causes his death by running over Myrtle in his car allowing him to be blamed. Fitzgerald fails to describe Daisy with any depth or consideration towards her personality, Fitzgerald appeals
Daisy Buchanan and Myrtle Wilson share similarities. Both women don't sincerely love their husbands. Myrtle has an affair with Tom. “Some time toward midnight Tom Buchanan and Mrs. Wilson stood face to face discussing, in impassioned voices, whether Mrs. Wilson had any right to mention Daisy's name. "Daisy! Daisy! Daisy!" shouted Mrs. Wilson. "I'll say it whenever I want to! Daisy! Dai –– "Making a short deft movement, Tom Buchanan broke her nose with his open hand.” (Fitzgerald, p125-127) Daisy has an affair with Gatsby. Myrtle and Daisy are also both knowingly beautiful.
Unlike the first party, the New York party was filled with alcohol, drama and a little more people. Nick and Tom were taking a train into the city when all of a sudden Tom stands up, forcing Nick to follow him. “We’re getting off!” he insisted. “I want you to meet my girl.” (Fitzgerald 28).Tom guides Nick into George Wilsons garage, where Myrtle Wilson and Tom see each other again. When George was getting some chairs Tom whispered “ I want to see you.” said Tom intently. “Get on the next train.” (Fitzgerald 30). Later on that afternoon they meet up. Myrtle had invited her sister and another couple, the Mckee’s to join them. The party started getting out of control with immensely amount of alcohol, sip after sip, nonstop. Not only was alcohol joining the party, but drama was just around the corner causing Tom and Myrtle a massive discussion over Daisy. Myrtle started shouting out Daisy name at the party. Tom was vigorously warning her to stop saying his wifes name. Myrtle tells him she will talk about whatever she likes and starts mentioning Daisy name again.“Daisy! Daisy! Daisy!,” shouted Mrs. Wilson. “I’ll say it whenever I want to! Daisy! Dai-”. (Fitzgerald 41) Tom quickly responds by slapping her across the face, this brought the party to an unexpected ending. Tom feel entitled to behave aggressively to his mistress. Tom thinks that the rules don’t apply to him as he carries on his affair with
Not only was the argument itself immature by nature - the debate revolved around whether or not Myrtle was allowed to say the word “Daisy” as it reminded Tom of his infidelity - but Myrtle’s dialogue gives the reader the impression that she is less logical or reasonable than Tom is. Fitzgerald writes her shouting Daisy’s name over and over again so as to taunt Tom for the affair rather than provide a reasoned counterargument that would suggest that she does have some strand of maturity. Perhaps she is written that way to expound upon the gender injustice barriers that plagued the early 20th century, or perhaps it may be concluded the Fitzgerald himself held some of the misogynistic ideals that he expresses in his writings. At any rate, the argument that precedes the main conflict of this passage is important for character development as it is plain evidence regarding the internalized misogyny of the novel that is the belittlement of Myrtle both as a character (by Fitzgerald) and as a lover (by
While discovering everyday life, we perceive that people open up and grow ideas about their surroundings. Seamus Rafael Goldberg, known as Rafe, in the book Openly Straight realizes that he has to tell the truth, while risking his relationships to his classmates. He can’t be someone that he isn’t, even though he has a hard time being himself with the people around him. Rafe is a new transfer student to an all boy’s school. But there’s one problem, he’s gay. He doesn’t want to be labeled as gay in front of his all boy’s school. Rafe has to adapt to his new environment and has to learn how to be himself. From keeping his secret from all of the other guys at his school, he learns that he has to change. Later on, he discerns that he has to open
Daisy's carelessness reveals her corruption as a human being. She uses her wealth and social status to escape whatever she chooses, like the death of Myrtle. Additionally, her actions demonstrate the dishonest exploitation of power for personal gain and attention. Daisy’s character, due to her money, inherently values her advantage over the lower class, revealing a nature of entitlement. Additionally, she gives no respect to anyone around her, sometimes n...
During the confrontation between Gatsby and Tom Buchanan about Daisy, she is talked about like she is a possession to be won over. During the argument Nick “glances at Daisy who was staring terrified between Gatsby and her husband” (Fitzgerald, page 143). Gatsby and Buchanan tell Daisy what to say instead of allowing her to tell her own truths, and if she does start to speak up for herself she is quickly quieted down. Daisy states at the beginning of the novel while talking about finding out the sex of her child that, “I’m glad it’s a girl. And I hope she’ll be a fool – that’s the best thing a girl can be in this world, a beautiful little fool” (Fitzgerald, page 16). Daisy is the only female character in the novel who understands that no matter what a woman accomplishes, she will always be downcasted based on her gender. This outlook is what allows her to be controlled by Gatsby and Buchanan, because she doesn’t believe that anything she can do will make her more of a human to them. Myrtle on the other hand, while still a married woman, isn’t able to see her powerlessness. She feels powerful enough to stand up to Tom and chant Daisy’s name over and over again until he breaks her nose (Fitzgerald, page 37). This scene demonstrates the way that men handled women if they ever did feel confident enough to speak for themselves. One final scene from the novel that really