Question

Why does Fitzgerald purposefully use elevated and descriptive language within his narrative? What is the effect? Use quotes or examples from the text to support your answer.

a) To confuse the reader, creating mystery.
b) To emphasize the opulence of the era, highlighting social disparities.
c) To simplify complex ideas for the reader.
d) To express disdain for the characters, creating a negative tone.

Answer 1

F. Scott Fitzgerald's use of elevated and descriptive language in The Great Gatsby serves to underscore the excess and social disparities of the 1920s, with color symbolism and vivid imagery that enhance the themes and tones of the narrative.

Step-by-step explanation:

F. Scott Fitzgerald purposefully uses elevated and descriptive language within his narrative primarily to emphasize the opulence of the Jazz Age, highlighting the social disparities of the era. Fitzgerald's use of language elevates the text, creating a rich tapestry that mirrors the extravagance and decay of the 1920s. For example, the text describes the environment and settings with significant detail, using colors to symbolize important aspects of the post-World War I era. White and grey symbolize 'false purity' and 'decay,' while green offers a symbol of 'hope'. This descriptive diction and the use of sensory detail are woven through The Great Gatsby to demonstrate Fitzgerald's intent to meet or challenge the reader's expectations in rhetorically effective ways. Analyzing the stylistic choices, readers must consider why Fitzgerald uses certain words or phrases, and how these choices contribute to the themes and tones of the narrative. The effect of such rich language is that it deeply immerses the reader in the atmosphere of the time, and adds layers of meaning to the characters and their experiences.