Use of Figurative Language in The Great Gatsby: Critical Essay

Introduction

The novel "The Great Gatsby" written by F. Scott Fitzgerald is a love story narrated shortly after 1922 to signify the historical American times after the First World War. The text is written as a narration told by Nick Carraway, new in the neighborhood and lives next door to the rich Jay Gatsby signifying the difference between their social classes. In his writing, Fitzgerald demonstrates the difference in social stratification between the host, Gatsby, and the guest, Nick. Gatsby perceives he is equitable to God and can get anything he wants because of his wealth status. The purpose of this work is to show the contrast of life between the rich and the less fortunate in life. Thus, Fitzgerald is successful in portraying the social stratification in the elegance of priorities given when one has the money. Therefore, the passage shows the contrast between the life led by the two men despite having closed paths in other different avenues in life and Fitzgerald use of figurative language.

Is your time best spent reading someone else’s essay? Get a 100% original essay FROM A CERTIFIED WRITER!

Save 25%

Elegance and Meaningless Parties

In the passage, Gatsby tries to demonstrate success in his meaningless party to the unsuspecting narrator, Nick Carraway. Gatsby tries to show Nick the elegance of money and the swiftness of his rich life. The way Gatsby boasts about having bought a hydroplane and inviting Nick to a testing ride shows the elegance of his rich life as compared to Nick's humble background. Gatsby tells Nick: "Want to go with me, old sport? Just near the shore along the Sound...". The narration in this passage, Fitzgerald shows the use of the themes of social stratification. It's possible to pinpoint that both Gatsby and Nick did not come from the same social classes. The blending the theme social stratification Fitzgerald emphasize on the social oppression and exploitation between the rich and the poor in the society. He also shows the intimidation of the poor in the conversation between the two characters. Gatsby's meaningless parties show his extensive use of money when the narrator recounts how he got invited to a party he is not familiar with the host or the purpose of the occasion. He says: "...and this man Gatsby sent over his chauffeur with an invitation..." (94) This shows that both the guests and the host did not have any contextual theme for this party they were attending. Gatsby used this parties to show off his achievement to his neighbors even without formally knowing them.

Fitzgerald's Tone and Attitude Towards Love and Desire in the Passage

Fitzgerald sets the mood of his text by engaging the audience with convincing tone to communicate his attitude on the plot and the themes of the story. In the passage, he shows the narrator's perception on the love affair between Gatsby and Daisy Buchanan, a woman Gatsby loves and desires to have as his own. Again the author's attitude conveys a skeptical tone for the narrator believes that Gatsby and Daisy were lovers. For instance, Fitzgerald asserts that Gatsby's love for Daisy by revealing his thought and long desire to have her near to him. He says "...If it wasn't for the mist we could see your home... always have a green light that burns all night at the end of your dock." (Fitzgerald 92 - 93). In this extract, it's possible to say that Gatsby had been spying on Daisy for a long time. However, the narrator proves Daisy's desire as she excitedly reacts to romantic appeal when he says: "...Daisy puts her arm through his abruptly, but he seemed absorbed in what he had just said. Possibly it had occurred to him that the colossal significance of that light had now vanished forever...."(92 - 98). In his tone setting, Fitzgerald emphasizes on the parallel lives led by Gatsby and Daisy revealing their strengths and weaknesses. In the tone applied in the passage, Gatsby's perception of Daisy changes forever due to her advancing character and interest in engaging with the rich guy.

Symbolism and Mood

On this note, reading the passage gives the audience an attitude towards the love and desire felt by Gatsby and Daisy. Fitzgerald symbolizes their weaknesses and strengths making the audience to hate them for their characters or sympathize with their misfortunes in the narration, Gatsby long desire to approach Daisy lose meaning when her character emerges otherwise. Through the mixed reactions, the story creates an atmosphere of familiarity of the happenings during the author's times and the contemporary world. The work presents a clear understanding of the American history to better the audience's understanding of the themes presented in the plot. The passage creates a romantic mood at the beginning when Gatsby tries to tell Daisy how he feels and desires to have her. However, the mood of the story changes when the author portrays his perception of Daisy's love and desire. Her reaction changes the enticing and romantic atmosphere presented by Gatsby. The provocative and annoying mood brought by her reaction discredits the cultural and moral conduct of a woman. Personally, I was offended to read through her open display of greed of the material wealth owned by her potential suitor. I disagree with this conduct from a woman because the man had tactfully played his part in making his intentions known. I am happy with Gatsby's quick realization of what he is destined for when he pursues the love relationship further.

Figurative Language: Gatsby's Equating Himself to God

In the entire passage, Fitzgerald makes use of figurative language to show that Gatsby equates himself to God because he has the right to everything and should get everything he wants without question. Gatsby feels he is like God and can get anything he wants without question and the world was under his control. Fitzgerald says: "... He wanted nothing less of Daisy than that she should go to Tom and say: "I never loved you..." (109). In this demonstration and application of figurative language, Fitzgerald uses metaphor when he uses the phrase "he wanted nothing" to shows the magnitude of self-pride and esteem held by Gatsby when he tried to show that he was the best and only one with the right to own everything. Further, the author makes use of hyperbole to draw a vivid pictorial representation of the happenings in the plot for his audience, when he emphasizes on Gatsby's struggle to accept defeat when he says: "I wouldn't ask too much of her... you can't repeat the past....why of course you can...." (109). The exaggerated conversations were used to communicate to the reader the struggle revolving around Gatsby's pride thinking he has unquestionable right to anything he placing his hands on to be his without restraint. The application of these literary devices and figurative language helps Fitzgerald to give his audience a clear picture of the actual events surrounding the story. The audience is able to get a better understanding of the characters intentions and personalities due to the vivid presentation of the story using demonstrative language.

Conclusion

In conclusion, the story of "The Great Gatsby" by Fitzgerald T. Scott presents a wide array of historical perspectives of American's society after the First World War signifying the differences in social classifications. The narration revolves around the lives of two protagonists, Nick and Gatsby, who come from contrasting live status. Gatsby is extremely rich though Nick, the narrator, does not come from a rich background. The two characters are living in the same neighborhood and have a special connection with Daisy. Daisy is Nick's second cousin while Gatsby desires to love her. In the twists of the story, the themes of social stratification, love, and desire emerge as the protagonists battle to prove their strength in the visionary world of social norms and rights.

Works Cited

Fitzgerald, F. Scott. The Great Gatsby. New York: Scribner Paperback Fiction, 1995.