Elements of Style
ACTIVITY • Page 25
Below is the conclusion to F. Scott Fitzgerald’s novel The Great Gatsby. At the end of the novel, its narrator, Nick Carraway, remembers Jay Gatsby as a person with a great “capacity for wonder.” Read the passage carefully. Then analyze how the style conveys this sense of Gatsby.
Diction
Fitzgerald’s choice of words is deliberate and evocative, contributing to the reflective and wistful tone. Words like "shadowy," "melt," "vanished," and "enchanted" emphasize transience and impermanence, mirroring the fleeting nature of dreams and human aspiration. The term "orgastic" suggests a climactic, almost spiritual fulfillment, heightening the emotional resonance of Gatsby’s pursuit.
Imagery
The passage is steeped in vivid and symbolic imagery. The "shadowy, moving glow of a ferryboat" and the "fresh, green breast of the new world" evoke a sense of mystery and wonder. The imagery of "vanished trees" and "the dark fields of the republic" conjures a sense of loss, as the idealized past gives way to a reality shaped by human ambition. The "green light" serves as a powerful symbol of hope and the unattainable, tying Gatsby’s personal dreams to the broader human condition.
Syntax
Fitzgerald employs long, flowing sentences to mirror the expansive and contemplative nature of the themes. For example, the sentence "for a transitory enchanted moment man must have held his breath in the presence of this continent..." mimics the rhythm of breathing, pulling the reader into the moment of wonder described. The passage concludes with the rhythmic and poignant final sentence, “So we beat on, boats against the current, borne back ceaselessly into the past,” which encapsulates the cyclical struggle of striving and retreat.
Figurative Language
Fitzgerald uses metaphor and personification to deepen the emotional impact of the narrative. The "green breast of the new world" metaphorically represents the promise and untamed potential of America as it was first encountered. The "dark fields of the republic" personify the fading dreams of the past, while the image of humanity as "boats against the current" conveys the struggle against time and the inevitable pull of history.
Tone
The tone is elegiac and contemplative, tinged with both admiration and sadness. Through Nick’s reflection, Gatsby is cast as a tragic yet noble figure, embodying the human capacity to dream and hope, even in the face of failure. This tone underscores the bittersweet nature of Gatsby’s pursuit and its universal resonance.
Mood
The mood is one of wistfulness and melancholy, evoking a deep sense of nostalgia and loss. The descriptions of "vanished trees" and "the last and greatest of all human dreams" invite the reader to reflect on the beauty and fragility of ambition. The mood mirrors Nick’s sense of mourning for Gatsby and for the unfulfilled promises of the American Dream.
