Symbolism- “But above the gray land and the spasms of bleak dust which drift endlessly over it, you perceive, after a moment, the eyes of Doctor T.J. Eckleburg” (23).
Foreshadowing- “‘Whenever you feel like criticizing any one’, he told me, ‘just remember that all the people in this world haven’t had the advantages that you’ve had” (1).
Metaphor- “What foul dust floated in the wake of his dreams…” (2).
Simile- “Jay Gatsby had broken up like glass…”(148).
Symbolism- “But now he found that he had committed himself to the following of a grail” (149).
Symbolism- “Gastby believed in the green light…” (180)
Irony- “Gatsby’s house was still empty when I left…” (179).
In F. Scott Fitzgerald's "The Great Gatsby," Fitzgerald utilizes many different types of rhetorical strategies in his novel. Such rhetorical devices are: Symbolism, foreshadowing, metaphor, simile, irony, and many others. One of the most commonly used strategies is symbolism. Throughout the novel, Fitzgerald uses symbolism to portray a theme or idea to the reader of the ominous life of the characters in the story. For example, when describing Gatsby, and talking about his character, and who he was, Nick (our narrator) says, "Gatsby believed in the green light..." (180). This of course tells of how Gatsby was a determined person, with an unprecedented amount of bravery. Someone who believes in the "green light" knows that the only way to achieve things in life is to go at them, and not waste time getting them. Another example of a rhetorical device that Fitzgerald uses are similes. In one instance, Gatsby's reaction to Tom's cruelness is shown as he says "Jay Gatsby had broken up like glass..." (148). He mirrors the theme that in order to be respected in today's society, you must learn to "believe in the green light." Fitzgerald's use of rhetorical strategies is very effective.
Your example of symbolism, "But above the gray land and the spasms of bleak dust which drift endlessly over it, you perceive, after a moment, the eyes of Doctor T.J. Eckleburg” (23), highlights Fitzgerald's skepticism of a capitalistic America that is focused on the accumulation of wealth above all else. The eyes of Doctor T.J. Eckleburg can be perceived as the eyes of God dismally looking down upon the shallow nature of Americans, who in their quest for fortune, have forgotten the important things in life.
ReplyDeleteI particularly like how you pointed out the simile of Gatsby being "broken up like glass" (148). Contrasting to the previous perceptipn of Gatsby being very tough and self-confident, Fitzgerald uses this simile to expose that Gasby is only human and has strong emotions, especially concerning Daisy. While this weakness may have been a shock to readers, it gives Gatsby a sensitive side making him more relatable.
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