Gatsby Blog: Diction

Fitzgerald uses varying diction to parallel the thoughts and feelings of Nick Carraway towards Daisy, his cousin whom he views with a loving, aspirated attitude, and Mr. Gatsby, his neighbor who he greatly admires. Upon being reunited with Daisy after several years, Nick first sees her lying on a couch with a friend during one summer afternoon “where their dresses were rippling and fluttering” (8). The way the dresses “[rippled] and [fluttered]” integrates the appearance of Daisy’s carefree life of wealth into Nick’s impression of her.  Daisy laughed in “an absurd, charming way” that enticed Nick into further entering the living room of her house. Fitzgerald’s word choice mirrors Nick’s inner comparison of Daisy’s lifestyle with his own rigorous regime. He notices that her features were all “bright” and there was an “excitement” about her due to the love she conveys towards him. The use of light, gay diction to describe Daisy reflects her personality in a slightly frivolous manner. In striking contrast, Nick exalts Mr. Gatsby by using eloquent wording to describe his rather mysterious neighbor. After witnessing the elaborate parties happening weekly throughout the summer, Nick is invited to attend through a little note written “in a majestic hand” and claiming it would be Mr. Gatsby’s “honor” for him to attend (41).  Following the formation of an interesting relationship, Nick listens attentively to Jay Gatsby’s “elegant sentences” (64) and is curious about his “oxford education” (65). F. Scott Fitzgerald stresses the sense of enthrallment Nick has for Mr. Gatsby through the use of powerful diction which mirrors the effect Gatsby’s life has on those around him. Ranging from loving, and almost brotherly affection, to the absorption of a young boy looking upon their hero—Nick Carraway’s inner thoughts and emotions are portrayed through Fitzgerald’s adoring wording of Nick’s relationship with Daisy and the high level diction used to illustrate the friendship between Gatsby and Nick.