Monday, January 17, 2011

Syntax


Throughout The Great Gatsby, Fitzgerald uses different forms of syntax in his writing to bring out a certain tone, purpose, or style.
            As Nick is describing the different aspects of Gatsby and his mansion he goes on explaining that “my own house was an eyesore, but it was a small eyesore, and it had been overlooked, so I had a view of my neighbor’s lawn, and the consoling proximity of millionaires—all for eighty dollars a month” (5). Due to the use of the dashed line, Fitzgerald is allowed to add additional information to the sentence that precedes it. When he utilizes these dashes it permits him to get his purpose of the sentence across which is that he barely got anything for a particular amount of money. It also alludes to his somewhat negative tone through his way of illustrating his meager lifestyle.
            While introducing the character Dan Cody for the first time Nick states that “he was employed in a vague personal capacity—while he remained with Cody he was in turn steward, mate, skipper, secretary, and even jailor, for Dan Cody sober knew what lavish doings Dan Cody drunk might soon be about, and he provided for such contingencies by reposing more and more in Gatsby” (100). In this example of syntax, the dash line once again helps with bringing out the purpose and style in which Fitzgerald wants the reader to see which is the two sides of Dan Cody, the sober and drunk. Without employing the dashed line it would be hard and seem awkward to understand when he would be contrasting the diverse aspects of Dan. 

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