Syntax

Syntax

            In the novel The Great Gatsby by F. Scott Fitzgerald, the author uses variations of syntax to portray his purpose or style, each differing by context. At Nick’s house, Daisy and Gatsby are in the presence of each other for the first time in some time. Being very nervous, Gatsby talks to Nick with short brief sentences: “I’ll be back”… “Oh God”… “This is a terrible mistake” (87). These telegraphic sentences that Fitzgerald employs mimic the frantic personality of Gatsby at this juncture. Daisy has always been the love of Gatsby’s life since they first met. With their love being interrupted by World War I, Gatsby is very anxious about seeing Daisy for the first time which is represented by Fitzgerald’s syntax. When describing one of Gatsby’s weekly parties, Fitzgerald’s description is very vivid in that “there were the same people…the same profusion of champagne, the same many-colored, many-keyed commotion” (104). By use of an anaphora, he enhances his already descriptive style to show a regular party of Gatsby. When it comes to describing something, Fitzgerald’s style is very vivid and his diction brings vitality to it. In terms of Gatsby, one of his best moments was when Daisy had the audacity to say, “I never loved [Tom]” in the presence of her husband (132). Ever since Gatsby and Daisy met, his goal was to win her heart, even though he was not of a wealthy stature. Daisy marries Tom because of his wealthy stature, yet she never did really love him. Gatsby undertakes illegal business ventures to acquire wealth in order to fall back in love back with Daisy. All of these transactions conclude at her short telegraphic sentence. The statement may be short in length, but it carries repercussions that end of up in the deaths of two people. Fitzgerald uses varieties of syntax to either enhance is descriptive style or mention an important moment in the novel.