F Scott Fitzgerald Philosophy Fitzgerald was obsessed with
F. Scott Fitzgerald
Philosophy: Fitzgerald was obsessed with the dream of living a life of wealth and glamour. At the same time, he saw clearly the corruption of such a life. He captures this duality in his novels. While he reveals the worthlessness of wealth and glamour, he describes it so alluringly that the reader can easily understand its appeal.
Fitzgerald searched for meaning in a world that had seemingly lost all its values. He admires those who hold onto ideals in a world without any ideals. Gatsby is one of those characters.
Style: The theme of the corruption of the American dream is dominant in the novel. Fitzgerald emphasizes this theme by using several literary devices.
Imagery Uses direct or implied comparisons to create effect. Example: He describes party girls as moths and gypsies to show their transient nature.
Irony Fitzgerald creates incongruity between what is expected and what actually occurs.
Point of View – Fitzgerald tells the story through the objective eyes of Nick Carraway who knows all the characters, but is not directly involved in the conflict himself.
Juxtaposition Fitzgerald places descriptions of people, places and events next to each other in the novel to force the reader to make comparisons.
Flashback. The entire story is told in flashback. Nick recalls the events of a summer year after the events took place. Fitzgerald also uses foreshadowing throughout the novel to reveal information about the characters in bits and pieces.
Setting The story takes place in Long Island during the 1920 s. The novel is a master period piece in the way that the author captures the era of the 1920 s. Fitzgerald lets the reader see, hear and feel the era.
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