How Does Fitzgerald Use Narrative Techniques In The Great Gatsby

Authors of texts utilise a range of narrative techniques in order to explore central themes and engage the reader more deeply with these ideas. The 1925 novel, The Great Gatsby, written by F. Scott Fitzgerald, tells a story narrated by Nick Carraway and his perspective and scrutiny of the New York society during the 1920s, with the protagonist of the story being a man named Gatsby. Fitzgerald uses narrative techniques, such as characterisation, symbolism and narrative perspective to display the themes of moral decay, how appearance can be deceptive and the pursuit of the American dream within the New York society, focusing on a particular man living as a part of it, known as Jay Gatsby.

A technique that Fitzgerald has implemented is narrative

A common trait shared by these socialites is that they are all ruthless, and will do anything to uphold their desired social statues to avoid the judgement of the public eye. The author displays this deception through characterisation of Tom and Daisy Buchanan; in particular, the portrayal of their relationship. Tom and Daisy are not satisfied together, and only remain together as they both benefit from each other; Daisy gains the status of being part of an upper class family and Tom gets a socially approved wife to show off. Despite Daisy and those closest to her being aware of Tom’s infidelity, they unashamedly allow it. An example of them allowing this unfaithful behaviour is shown when Tom’s mistress calls the home phone during dinner, rather than condemning it, Miss Baker “leaned forward unashamed, trying to hear”. Another complication of their relationship is Daisy’s affair with Gatsby. Nick and Jordan also act in the same manner when they discover Daisy’s affair with Gatsby. Deception of identity is also used through characterisation of Gatsby. Gatsby introduces himself as an Oxford man, who had inherited his money from a wealthy family, later on, Gatsby’s true history unfolds along with how he accumulated his money. Gatsby made his fortune through illegal means, “He and this Wolfshiem bought up a lot

Gatsby grew up in a poor family, making him determined to become wealthy, to win over Daisy’s love, as he had once before. Gatsby craved an extravagant life, and longed for the past he had shared with Daisy, believing that with his money he could revive the love they once had before, “Can’t repeat the past?... Why of course you can!” He was so wrapped up in his fantasy that he was disinterested in the legality of the money he had made, as long as it would allow him to grow closer to the idea of Daisy that he had created in his head. The pursuit of the American Dream is also depicted through symbolism of the green light; the light is symbolic of Gatsby’s idealistic perspective of Daisy. The light being so far from Gatsby represents how far his dream is out of reach, “I thought of Gatsby’s wonder when he first picked out the green light at the end of Daisy’s dock… his dream must have seemed so close that he could hardly fail to grasp it. He did not know that it was already behind him…” Gatsby was determined to repeat the past and relive the love he once shared with Daisy, not realising that the past is not recurring. The American dream was once about discovery and happiness, but it has now been overshadowed by the pursuit of wealth and