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Examples Of Diction In The Great Gatsby

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In F. Scott Fitzgerald’s novel, The Great Gatsby, he captures the alluring niche of the American Dream. Fitzgerald delves into the Roaring Twenties, exploring the era’s instability and immersion in greed and pleasure. In his novel, he reflects personal events and experiences being lower class along with his desire to attain wealth for the means of happiness. Presented through his cast of characters and the realities they face, Fitzgerald criticizes the American Dream. Pairing symbolism and diction, he demonstrates the tragic tales following the glamorized American Dream as a result of the extent individuals resort to in order to achieve this ideal. Fitzgerald initially introduces this theme using a symbol for Jay Gatsby’s ambitions. He writes, “He stretched out his arms toward the dark water in a curious way..I..distinguished nothing except a single green light, minute and far away..” (Fitzgerald 24-25). Early on in the novel, …show more content…

Fitzgerald writes, “After Gatsby’s death the East was haunted for me like that, distorted beyond my eyes’ power of correction” (188). He uses negative connotated diction such as the words “haunted” and “distorted”. Nick reflects over his experience in the East, feeling a sense of despair and sorrow as a result of the events and his interactions with the cast of characters. By choosing to pursue the American Dream, he ultimately got entangled with the other characters and unfortunately Gatsby. With Gatsby’s demise, the American Dream perished along with him, eliminating the possibility of happiness and success for everyone who was involved with him. While not facing a tragedy as severe as his, Nick is left unable to overcome the past, haunted and demoralized by the tragedies the American Dream bestowed

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