My Personal Review of the Great Gatsby

Overall, I enjoyed the Great Gatsby as a novel, and as a guide.  Not only did it keep me interested the entire way through, but it found a way to "play with my emotions."  Fitzgerald's use of Imagery throughout the book really gave me a clear sense of what was going on, and good sense of not only how the character's felt, the how Fitzgerald felt while writing it.  His use of tone also had a strong effect on me.  Throughout the book, he utilizes a panic driven, tiresome, and yet happy relaxed tone.  Fitzgerald's use of character development in particular through high formal diction and syntax, showed that he was a skilled rhetor, and a well educated human being.  Although most would say that this book was quite boring, I would have to say that it was not.  I found many scenes very interesting, in particular the scene when Nick first meets Gatsby.  I found this scene, along with many others, comical.

I liked many things about this book.  First, I liked the way it was written. I thought having Nick as a narrator to the situation, yet have Gatsby be the main character was useful, because it made the story easier to understand.  I also liked the way that Fitzgerald used the characters to symbolize a certain person in his life at the time, or in anyone who reads it's time, along with the novel's many biblical allusions.  I disliked the fact that it was so incredibly lengthy at parts.  For some scenes, it went on and on about Gatsby, and somewhat went into Nick's personal life- not that I did not appreciate it, but it all strayed very much from the plot line.

This book may have been another story of a man trying desperately to find his love, but it does have many unique qualities about it.  For example, never before have I read a book so full of allusions and symbolism in my life.  Also, the way Fitzgerald develops his characters is like no other novel.  It is clear that F. Scott Fitzgerald has a gift to write, and "The Great Gatsby" is only one example of this gift.

Text Connections

In F. Scott Fitzgerald's "The Great Gatsby", Fitzgerald uses the narrator Nick to provide the opportunity for the reader to make many text connections.  One of such text connections is a text to self connection.  In the novel, Gatsby is madly in love with Daisy.  He will go to any lengths to do anything for her, because he loves her.  He also seems that he is able to wait forever on her.  I can make a text to self connection, because I know how Gatsby feels. Where as I am not as old as Gatsby, or as experienced, I know what it feels like to feel that kind of affection, and I know how Gatsby feels when he finds out Tom is with the girl of his dreams.  Finally, I can make the text to self connection that, like Gatsby would with Daisy, I know that I would do anything for the girl that I love.

Also, I can make a text to text connection of Gatsby's love situation.  Gatsby's love for Daisy can be seen as similar to Romeo's Love for Juliet, in William Shakespeare's "Romeo and Juliet."  Gatsby says, "I love you now, [Daisy]" (132).  Romeo says in Shakespeare's play that he loves Juliet as well, which shows that there is a connection between Gatsby and Romeo.

Finally, I can make a text to world connection through the attitudes of the people in the East from the days of F. Scott Fitzgerald versus today.  In the novel, as Nick writes it, "[Gatsby's kindness]- it was an extraordinary gift for hope, a romantic readiness such as I have never found in any other person and which is not likely I shall ever find again" (2).

Syntax

• "The bar is in full swing, and floating rounds of cocktails permeate the garden, until the air is alive with chatter and laughter, and casual innuendo and introductions forgotten on the spot, and enthusiastic meetings between women who never knew each other's names" (40).  

This use of Syntax is especially useful in that it shows a different side to the story; a different tone, per se.  Throughout the novel we see that people are shown as quite the contrary of what is described in this quote- in fact, the only location or person that has any of these qualities is Gatsby and his mansion.  Through well thought out syntax, Gatsby is shown as someone who brings life to the un-lively, joy to the un-joyful, happiness to the unhappy, and a joyful tone.

• "Standing behind him, Michaelis saw with a shock that she was looking at the eyes of Dr. T.J. Eckleburg, which had just emerged, pale and enormous, from the dissolving night.  'God see's everything' repeated Wilson" (159-160).

From this passage, Nick narrates how Michaelis witnessed something outside that made him think of God.  What he witness were simply a pair of eyes, but Wilson is convinced that they are God's doing.  The purpose of this passage is now seen as having the goal of making the reader think of God and Religion. Also, a powerful style is presented by bringing in strong biblical symbolism.  Fitzgerald really comes through with his use of purpose and style through symbolism.

Diction

• "bizarre and not a little sinister" (5)

• "everything that happened had a dim, hazy cast over it,..." (29).

• "...signed Jay Gatsby, in a majestic hand" (41).

• "...,in its first wild promise of all the mystery and the beauty in the world" (68).

• "...when the demoniac Finn brought it in on a tray" (87).

• "I think that voice held him the most, with its fluctuating, feverish warmth, because, because it couldn't be over-dreamed-that voice was a deathless song" (96). 

• "...I was in New York...trying to escape from her senile Aunt" (100).

• "flushed with his impassioned gibberish" (130).

Fitzgerald used diction throughout his novel to create a sinister, confused, and panic driven tone and environment.  Words and phrases used such as "senile", "sinister", and "deathless song" buttress Fitzgerald's tone in the novel.  For example, Nick explains how the people he have known have been "bizarre and not a little sinister" (5).  We see here Nick showing and somewhat foreshadowing the people he knows.  This sets off a rather sinister tone in the novel.  Also, to set up a panic driven tone, Fitzgerald utilizes quotes such as "when the demoniac Finn brought it in on a tray" (87).  This mirrors a tone panic, by saying that things were demoniac.  Characters, especially Nick, are well developed by how Fitzgerald uses diction in his writing.     

Rhetorical Strategies

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.