Monday, September 27, 2010

What was the writing style F. Scott Fitzgerald used in writing "The Great Gatsby"?

Fitzgerald not only uses imagery and reflection, but also point of view, symbolism, and satire in "The Great Gatsby." The plot is told as part of a frame story, meaning a story within a story, from the point of view of Nick Carraway, one of the main characters, who has come from the midwest to learn the bond market. Nick learns much more in his encounter with Jay Gatsby. Through this first-person (“I”) narrative technique, Fitgerald is able to inject much of his own insight into the narrative by having Nick explain much of Fitzgerald's own sentiments about life. The symbolism, especially in the setting of the novel, is an important stylistic element. West and East Egg are two places with opposing values that can be contrasted giving insight into the morality of each place. Finally, Fitzgerald uses satire, especially when describing the lavish, vulgar parties Gatsby throws and the use of "Great" in the title of the novel. In the end, there is nothing really "great" about Gatsby or the east and Nick returns home to the Midwest where he understands the values of the culture.

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