How Does F Scott Fitzgerald use Language to create the setting and the
atmosphere of this extract?
This extract, which describes Jay Gatsby's extravagant party is a
microcosm of the type of seductive and exciting lifestyle that was
lived by those eager to fulfil the American dream in the 1920's. It
shows how the original dream of happiness, individualism and
prosperity has disintegrated into the mere pursuit of wealth.
Fitzgerald himself experienced this type of society and uses symbolism
in this extract to represent his conflicting feelings about the 'Jazz
age' and create a typical setting of this kind of society. Referring
to the novel as a whole, Giltrow David (from 'Studies in the Novel')
states that "The style F. Scott Fitzgerald used in 'The Great Gatsby'
was influenced by the era's political and social context'' and I can
see that this is particularly present in this passage where almost all
the main aspects of the corrupt society in America at this time are
highlighted and exaggerated using characters, nature and objects as
representations of this. This integration of social background is also
present in Scott Fitzgerald's 'Tender is the Night' where he
particularly focuses on the lifestyles of the rich. The running,
corrupt themes of alcohol and money as being objects of sensationalism
are also present in both novels.
This passage is a pivotal point in the novel because it is the moment
when the reader is introduced to the namesake of the novel Jay
'Gatsby' and reveals what makes him, superficially,' Great'. It
consists of two separate halves. The first half depicts the
preparations for the party, and the second, the party coming alive.
Fitzgerald uses this method of division to represent the...
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...tmosphere. The whole of the passage is very much
like a performance in the way it is divided into preparations and show
time, however there is a mysterious air to it all because of the
absence and lack of reference to the main actor, who in this case is
'Gatsby' himself. The prolonged arrival of such a main player creates
tension and mystery in this passage.
Fitzgerald's rich use of metaphorical and symbolic language in the
passage strangely contrasts with the underlying tone of death deceit
and tragedy, particularly throughout this extract, and successfully
creates a superficial setting which lacks control and reality, whilst
at the same time allows the reader to experience the atmosphere that
would have been felt as a guest. This idea is clearly expressed by
Cyril Connolly who summarised that Fitzgerald's 'style sings of hope.
His message is despair'.
In the third sentence, note the metaphor and explain Fitzgerald’s choice of this particular metaphor.
Considering that many authors use figurative language techniques in their writing to help convey a specific message; there is no wonder why Fitzgerald and Twain both use the tools for the purpose of criticising people in more of a low key fashion. Fitzgerald uses many different figurative language devices in The Great Gatsby, like similes. Because it is set in the roaring 20s, partying is a big element to the storyline. When Gatsby throws extravagant parties, Nick thinks to himself “...men and women came and went like moths among the whispering and the champagne and the stars.” (Fitzgerald 44). Nick refers to the social statuses of the young people in the 1920s. It proves that they really just want to party, get wasted, and that they absolutely
causing Fitzgerald’s theme of lies and deceit to flourish and astonish readers of all ages for many
Choose two images which particularly appeal to you and help you to imagine this scene in your mind. Explain how Fitzgerald creates
Thesis: How does F. Scott Fitzgerald's novel, The Great Gatsby, compares the American Dream in today's generation and back in the 1920's-30's? What did the American Dream really mean and why? So why did this issue happen? Do you think America can change in the future? What is the american dream really about? When did the phrase: ‘american dream’ started? Have you ever wondered what the 20s and 30s were like back then? How can this so called dream ever bring hope to our country? These are all the questions I would like to know myself. I’ve found three online sources & one source from the novel that can help explain about the 20th century, the Gatsby novel, today's generation, and about Mr.Gatsby from the book.
“Gatsby turned out alright in the end.” Yes, because someone who ends up murdered in their own swimming pool, shot by a lackluster man, taking the blame for a crime he never committed for someone who quickly turned her back on him, is defined as “alright.” I never understood why Gatsby was the one to die. I thought he was the hero of the novel. Fitzgerald was a romantic; he was the American Dreamer. The novel was the epitome of the American Dream. The hero never fails; the underdog always wins. Isn’t that what we have always been taught? How could such a great man die? And why was Gatsby the only one pointed out as “alright?” I mean after all, most of the characters’ lives remained unchanged. Daisy and Tom resumed their marriage. Nick returned to the Midwest. Jordan continued her career. Gatsby was one of the only people who portrayed the repercussions of the events. How could someone that readers are supposed to root for die tragically, and on a false claim, nonetheless? Why did Fitzgerald murder Gatsby? But, after some research I realized Fitzgerald NEEDED Gatsby to die.
Fitzgerald's book at first overwhelms the reader with poetic descriptions of human feelings, of landscapes, buildings and colors. Everything seems to have a symbolic meaning, but it seems to be so strong that no one really tries to look what's happening behind those beautiful words. If you dig deeper you will discover that hidden beneath those near-lyrics are blatancies, at best.
In conclusion, Fitzgerald?s use of language connotes the reality of Jordan Baker, Daisy and Tom Buchanan? lives. His use of diction, imagery and syntax suggests how their lives have no excitement and desire. Nick views them as white- dull and bland. Therefore, by using diction, imagery and syntax, Nick shows how imperfect their lives truly are.
Parties, alcohol, and the desire to change from “rags to riches”. These things are not only represented in the movie The Great Gatsby, but also represent the time of the Roaring Twenties. The Great Gatsby depicts an accurate depiction of the time when America ended World War I in 1918, and entered in a period of wealth and materialism. Although The Great Gatsby exemplifies United States with accurate representations, there are few inaccurate details regarding the American Dream, flapper girls, and Prohibition.
F. Scott Fitzgerald’s The Great Gatsby demonstrates what Marie-Laure Ryan, H. Porter Abbott and David Herman state about what narratology should be. These theorists emphasize the importance of conflict, human experience, gaps and consciousness, among many other elements, in order for a story to be considered a narrative. The Great Gatsby shows these elements throughout the book in an essential way. This makes the reader become intrigued and desperate to know what will happen next. The Great Gatsby is unpredictable throughout the use of gaps, consciousness and conflict.
This passage shows Nick making his way through New York at night, seeing the sights and narrating the way this external stimuli makes him feel. It exemplifies the manner in which Nick interacts with the world around him, often as an observer, rather than participant, and is integral to the development of his character. Fitzgerald utilizes vivid imagery throughout the paragraph, paired with a strong narrative regarding Nick’s experience in New York; furthermore provoking the audience to ponder a theme central to the novel.
This is a very unique example because this example includes two similes; these similes help the reader obtain a metaphorical image of Amory and the fact that he has had way too much to drink at the party. Amory has two main loves in his life. Again, Fitzgerald uses the unique way of having two similes in The Love of the Last Tycoon. “Under the moon the back lot was.like the torn picture books of childhood, like fragments of stories dancing in an open fire” (Hendrickson’s, Styles Part 3).
Setting is essential to any good novel, it envelopes the entire work and pervades every scene and line for, as Jack M. Bickham said, “when you choose setting, you had better choose it wisely and well, because the very choice defines—and circumscribes—your story’s possibilities”. F. Scott Fitzgerald created a setting in The Great Gatsby that not only is an overarching motif in the story, but implants itself in each character that hails from West Egg, East Egg, and the Valley of Ashes. West Egg, symbolizing the new, opportunistic rich, representative of the American dream, East Egg, the established, aristocratic rich, and the Valley of Ashes, the crumbling decay of society, are linked together in the “haunted” image of the East, the hollow, shallow, and brutal land that Fitzgerald uses to illustrate the hollow, shallow, and brutal people living there (176).
Through Fitzgerald's use of symbolism, expectations, and relationships, he explores the American dream, and how it is an illusion that corrupts and destroys lives. Through Fitzgerald’s symbolic description of Gatsby, he explores the extent of the American Dream’s deceptive nature that slowly destroys a person and his/her morals. During the Roaring 20s it was very common for people to project illusions to mask who they truly were; to fit in, it was almost essential to have one to survive in the highly materialistic and deceitful society. Nick is introduced as the objective narrator of the novel.... ...
A Deeper Meaning Symbolism adds meaning and requires readers to think deeper about the story. It gives objects more than just their physical meaning. The Great Gatsby utilizes the use of symbolism extremely well. Without this use of symbolism, the story would have no meaning at all. The symbols are what help move this story forward.