Orchestra Symbolism In The Great Gatsby

Similarly, in The Great Gatsby, Gatsby's parties are also described with extensive hyperbolism. In Chapter Three, Nick describes that "the orchestra had arrived, no thin five-piece affair, but a whole pitful of oboes and trombones and saxophones and viols and cornets and piccolos, and low and high drums" . The polysyndeton used here by Fitzgerald accentuates the reaction of a child and of awe. The depth of detail of the orchestra provides an insight into the wealth of Gatsby has, and how much he spends on his parties. Nick later goes onto describe that, "the rules of behaviour associated with an amusement park", which appears to be a criticism of the excessiveness of Gatsby's parties. However, these parties reflect Fitzgerald's own life, in

Moreover, he elaborates that it is, “not a dream of motorcars and high wages merely, but a dream of social order in which each man and woman shall be able to attain to the fullest stature of which they are innately capable, and be recognised by others for what they are, regardless if the fortuitous circumstances of birth or position”. However, Gatsby appears to fit into the category that Truslow Adams disagrees with, which is demonstrated by his lavish parties and extensive wealth. Although Gatsby displays grand motorcars and high wages, his ultimate dream of the pursuit of Daisy remains sceptical. In the last sentence of the novel, Nick utters, “So we beat on, boats against the current, borne back ceaselessly into the past” . The use of “boats against the current” is a symbolism of the green light that Gatsby can see on the end of Daisy’s dock across the Sound, and rowing against the tide, not getting anywhere. It also emphasises that the pursuit of the American Dream is greater than actually achieving it, and that the constant chase is what is unique to American culture. Gannett Wells asserts that 'Americanism' is characterised by, “the fixed conviction that one man is the equivalent of another in capacity, and that his failure to