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The Great Gatsby Diction Analysis

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The diction and details in the fifth, sixth, and seventh paragraphs on page 48 of The Great Gatsby favor the idea of division between social classes. The word choices in The Great Gatsby are often more sophisticated and lead insight into the differences between the upper and lower class. Diction is a key element in the separation of the upper and lower class because just the simple changes in vocabulary hold a different meaning. At the end of the passage, Gatsby excuses himself to take a call from “Chicago.” While someone with a limited vocabulary might use the phrase come back, Gatsby says he will “rejoin.” This simple change makes him seem more educated with an expanded vocabulary. One that can only come from higher education and social status. In this passage, Nick is at one …show more content…

Included here are a few words that would also most likely not be in a lower class person’s vocabulary. Even in his thoughts Nick uses phrases such as “irresistible prejudice” to describe things, in this case Gatsby’s smile. While we understand what Nick means is Gatsby and the feeling behind his smile “concentrat[es]” on you, making it seem like you are the single most important thing in the world, this may be lost on others with less developed vocabulary who do not know what the words “irresistible prejudice.” The included details in the passage reinforces the separation of the social classes. The beginning sentences focus on a “rare smile” given by Gatsby. A smile that only happens once in awhile, but when it does, it’s very special and “reassures” you. But the “understanding” that comes from this smile, prompted by

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The falsity of the American Dream based on the Great Gatsby The imagery and diction convey the illusion of the American Dream. In the Great Gatsby, F. Scott Fitzgerald uses symbolism to portray the falsity of the American Dream. Fitzgerald uses diction to compare Americans trying to reach the American Dream, to a small boat going against a raging current. This paints the picture that no matter how hard you work, it is impossible to truly be apart of the elite class.

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Nick oftentimes evaluates the happenings of the story, helping the readers understand to a greater detail of what happened. He also acts as someone to keep Gatsby in check, yet also support his ambitions. As many people confided in Nick, he had a larger perspective of what exactly was happening. Using this, he was able to offer an overarching view and opinion, and using this he conveyed a sort of “insider 's view” at everything that was taking place during the story.

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In the novel “The Great Gatsby” by F. Scott Fitzgerald, the author uses many differnt retorical devices to add a personal flare to his work. He uses diction, symbolism, and irony to adress many different themes. These themes include Materialism, The American Dream, and includes a sharp and biting ridicule on American society in the 1920’s. The main point of Fitzgerald, arguement is one where he sharply criticizes the Society of the time.

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In F. Scott Fitzgerald’s The Great Gatsby, there is no question that Jay Gatsby, West-Egg nouveau riche and mysterious host of frequent, extravagant parties, is wealthy; nevertheless, few of his guests understand how he became so. Preoccupied with the festivities, other newly-rich party-goers neither know much about their host nor appear interested in finding out. Nick’s sincere request to meet the man who sent him the invitation is met by amused replies that Gatsby does not exist. In large part, this statement is true; for Gatsby hardly exists beyond his guest’s fantasized perceptions of him. Because of Jay Gatsby’s ambiguous past, Rumors prevail as a common theme of conversation among Gatsby’s guests, as they speculate how he acquired such material wealth.

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F. Scott Fitzgerald once said, “You don’t write because you want to say something, you write because you have something to say.” Fitzgerald had something great to reveal to his readers in The Great Gatsby. To give some background, the novel is about a man, Nick, who is on the outside peering into the lifestyle of the extremely wealthy. His neighbor, Gatsby, has persistently worked for the past few years to meet Daisy again after he woefully departed from her to fight in the war. In the classic novel The Great Gatsby, Fitzgerald has something to say and he uses effective diction, symbolism, and characterization to convey his idea that Americans must ceaselessly work towards living their own version of the great American Dream but they must not get caught up in wanting too much.

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The quality of greatness plays a big part in The Great Gatsby hence the title, The Great Gatsby. Everyone perceives greatness differently, but what distinguishes perceived greatness from actual greatness? In The Great Gatsby, Nick determines that Gatsby is great, but there can be a difference between perceived greatness and actual greatness. In the story Nick sees Gatsby as great.

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