- Adage: “Whenever you feel like criticizing any one,” he told me, “just remember that all the people in this world haven’t had the advantages you’ve had” (Fitzgerald 1).
- Metaphor: “So we beat on, boats against the current, borne back ceaselessly into the past” (Fitzgerald 180).
- Symbolism: “Gatsby believed in the green light, the orgastic future that year by year recedes before us. It eluded us then, but that’s no matter—to-morrow we will run faster, stretch out our arms farther…” (Fitzgerald 180).
- Personification: “No—Gatsby turned out all right at the end; it is what preyed on Gatsby, what foul dust floated in the wake of his dreams that temporarily closed out my interest in the abortive sorrows and short-winded elations of men” (Fitzgerald 2).
- Declarative Sentence: “I am one of the few honest people that I have ever known” (Fitzgerald 59).
Through the use
of rhetorical strategies, F. Scott Fitzgerald attains a simplistic, yet classic
style in his writing that is filled with honesty and optimism. Throughout the
novel, Fitzgerald narrates the story of the Great Gatsby through the frank Nick
Carraway. He uses a variety of rhetorical strategies to recount the Jazz Age,
and the mysterious life of Jay Gatsby. Fitzgerald abides by an embellished and
elaborated yet honest retelling. Beginning the novel with the adage and a
declarative, an insight of Nick Carraway’s upbringing and his overpowering
honesty is shown, which naturally draws the readers in. Nick Carraway is given
a sense of credibility showing that trust in the story can be put upon him. But
throughout the novel, the symbolism of hope is seen in the “greatness” of
Gatsby; because Gatsby never gave up on his dream thus polishing his
determination. With the personification, Fitzgerald shows the deeper connection
that Carraway had with Gatsby and the complex, but vague relationship they had.
Also, a metaphorical statement is used to compare the people of the 20’s and
time itself, and how the past haunts and eludes, insinuating a hopeless, yet succinct
truth. Overall, through figurative language, Fitzgerald accomplishes an
emotional yet straightforward story through a realistic and exemplary style that
shows optimism in humanity allowing the readers to relate to the characters
effectively.
I disagree that the author's style can be considered simplistic, for his continuous use of varied rhetorical strategies and intellectual diction is quite profound. I find his style sophisticated. Many times I have noticed the author use more than one complex word in just one sentence, therefore shining on his knowledge and ability. One can find themselves in great depth to find and interpret his hidden symbols. This all contributes to "The Great Gatsby" being one of the most greatest literary works.
ReplyDeleteI agree with you that the tone created through Fitzgerald's use of rhetorical strategies is incredibly optimistic, which I feel contributes to the surprise that the reader feels when the ending of the story turns out impeccably sad and discouraging. Throughout the novel, it seems as though there will be some sort of a fairy-tale ending, in which love overcomes greed and status, yet this never comes to pass. The contrast created by the dissenting style and plot line displays the bitter sweet reality that though one may hope for the best, it does not always come to pass. This ability of the writer to insinuate one thing yet finish with the opposite makes for an extremely interesting and shocking book.
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