Rhetorical Devices In The Great Gatsby

Literature has been measured a driving force for societal change, especially in a country like America where literature has been influencing our actions since our independence, correcting mistakes and provoking thought among our readers. Ranging from the beginnings of from the beginnings of Tom Sawyer to modern classics such as the Harry Potter Series, many characteristics such as the adventuring boy we enjoy to the suspense wizardry and witchcraft make what is considered “good” writing. Critics often have numerous views on In “Good Readers and Good Writers”; Vladimir Nabokov suggests the use of rhetoric to give the novel body and character to distinguish it from other novels. In William Faulkner’s “Banquet Speech”, Faulkner recommends having
Starting with lavish parties and attempts to court Daisy, he ends up alone at the end of the novel without friends. Through the exhaustive use of a main rhetorical strategy throughout the novel, FitzGerald proves himself a “good writer” by having a lasting impression on the audience and showing he can intricate details to increase the reader’s understanding of the message he is trying to convey.
FitzGerald’s prominent rhetorical strategy is symbolism throughout The Great Gatsby, making him a good writer as symbolism gives depth and adds meaning to the novel. Nabokov tells us “…The writer is the first man to mop it and to form the natural objects it contain”, which implies that using rhetoric allows the novel to gain body and character. Starting in Chapter Two, the group arrives at the “Valley of Ashes” and passes a big billboard as they drive through to the City. The billboard, staring down the crowd with the large spectacles, is advertising Dr. T.J. Eckelburg, the Long Island optician. Through the usage of symbolism, the eyes are supposed to represent an all-seeing god, who is looking over and influencing the illegal and lecherous acts of the crowd as
Vladimir Nabokov advised the readers to “notice and fondle details” in his story “Good Readers and Good Writers”, which must be provided by the author in order for the audience to “notice and fondle”. Many of FitzGerald’s details are used to greater enhance the visual and aural imagery he provides throughout the novel. One page 77, talking to Meyer Wolfsheim showed the rather Christian, white supremacist nature of FitzGerald and many others at that time, with anti-Semitic remarks. Insulting Wolfsheim’s accent with a “business gonnegtion” and “Oggsford”, FitzGerald did this to emphasize the judgment that Christians exerted on Jewish people in the 20’s. In Gatsby’s cabinet on page 99, Daisy sobs on the sight of Gatsby’s shirts, with “They’re such beautiful shirts,” FitzGerald built this drama in order to show the audience something a bit greater. (FitzGerald) Daisy struggles accept the transition of Gatsby into a new, polished “gentleman”, from countryside boy as later described. At the end, when showing Gatsby’s schedule, FitzGerald uses extreme detail ranging from “practicing elocution”, to his General Resolves not to spend time at “Shafter’s, or smoking and chewing”. (FitzGerald) FitzGerald did this to show the reader that Gatsby was on organized and disciplined teenager, very