Syntax in The Great Gatsby
• The syntax Fitzgerald uses influences his style to create a clearer image of the era. When waiting for attendees to show up at a tea party, his syntax is shown when Nick narrates “Under the dripping bare lilac-trees a large open car was coming up the drive. It stopped. Daisy’s face, tipped sideways beneath a three-cornered lavender hat, looked out at me with a bright ecstatic smile” (85). This example shows a lighter, mistier view of the era, a look into that fashion of the time, and the emotion Daisy feels as she arrives. This syntax shows the style of Fitzgerald as nostalgic, almost reminiscent of a time where things were simpler. A century piece, no doubt.
• Later inside the tea party, another example of syntax is given as is narrated “Amid the welcome confusion of cups and cakes a certain physical decency established itself. Gatsby got himself into a shadow and, while Daisy and I talked, looked conscientiously from one to the other of us with tense, unhappy eyes” (87). A somewhat gloomy tone, Fitzgerald provides a dismal sentence using words like “confusion”, “tense”, “unhappy”, and “shadow”. This certain sentence shows a great deal of effort in word choice, merging the ideas into one cohesive thought.
• As the true identity of Jay Gatsby, James Gatz, is revealed, we learn that through excellent syntax, a somewhat “perfect” character becomes a little bit more human and realistic. Nick narrates “The most grotesque and fantastic conceits haunted him in his bed at night. A universe of ineffable gaudiness spun itself out in his brain while the clock ticked on the washstand and the moon soaked with wet light his tangled clothes upon the floor” (99). The anguish James Gatz has to endure as he deceives those around him reveals Fitzgerald’s purpose for an archetype Christ-like figure.
I agree with the way in which you have interpreted Fitzgerald's use of syntax in The Great Gatsby. Particularly when he describes scenes involving Daisy or Gatsby, Fitzgerald's syntax reveals their emotions and gives insight into their characters. Also, I found it interesting that you compared Gatsby to a Christ-like figure. The syntax Fitzgerald utilizes clearly depicts Gatsby as a Christ-like figure and I commend your ability to make this connection.
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