As the book is being narrated by Nick Carraway, Fitzgerald uses his word choice to mirror Nick’s thoughts, fears, and personality. His diction varies in accordance to his mood, therefore establishing different tones. Nick recurrently demonstrates strong, powerful diction when describing Gatsby: “gorgeous,” “hope,” and “romantic readiness” are all used in reference to the shining character of Gatsby. Nick conveys an admiring, adorning tone toward Gatsby but at the same time says that he has an “unaffected scorn” for him, therefore showing the complex character that is Gatsby and their confusing relationship (2). Fitzgerald also uses elevated, erudite diction to show that Nick is educated and intelligent. When he is describing Gatsby’s dreams in comparison to those of ordinary men, he makes Gatsby’s seem superior in calling the latter “abortive sorrows and short-winded elations” (2). Nick diminishes the rest of mankind in favor to Gatsby and his dreams.
The author also uses diction to characterize Tom and ascertain a less friendly tone toward him, using words such as “dominance,” “effeminate swank,” “enormous power,” “great pack of muscle,” and “fractiousness” (7). Tom is perceived as intimidating but lacking sophistication. In contrast, Daisy is surrounded by words such as “white,” “bright,” and “gay, exciting” (9). The description of Daisy reveals that she is the essence of innocence, naivety, and purity, but she is also “cool” and “impersonal” (12). Fitzgerald uses these words to exemplify a disapproving tone of Nick toward Daisy where she considers her almost fake.
Fitzgerald also develops a somber and hopeless tone when describing the valley of ashes between the West and the East. The continual mention of “gray” and application of descriptive words such as “grotesque gardens” express the gloom surrounding the setting. Also adding to the desolate tone is the “haunting loneliness” (56) that Nick sometimes feels. By using abstract diction, the narrator establishes a deep connection with the reader to emphasize the somber tone. Nick’s various moods pervade through the novel to establish tone through the extensive descriptions of people and places, whether it be joyful and bright as Daisy or dark and gloomy as the valley of ashes.
You displayed a different approach to the topic than I did; I focused more on the formality of Fitzgerald's language, wheras you addressed to figurative meanings of his words and their effect on the reader. I applaud your summary of diction employment in "The Great Gatsby" because it provides a sufficient explanation of the implications of Fitzgerald as a rhetor. It provides evidence of the author's education and social "dignification". You did an excellent job of emphasizing the underlying tone that Fitzgerald adopts toward each situation or character. I as well agree that Fitzgerald's word choice is "abstract" and "powerful".
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