"The Great Gatsby": A Critical evaluation of dialogue and narration
Throughout "The Great Gatsby" there are many different forms of narration and dialogue. Barbara Hochman takes these narrating voices into account in her essay, "Disembodied voices and narrating bodies in 'The Great Gatsby'." Throughout her writing she gives thorough explanations of each of the major characters dialogues and how they relate to one another, as well as focusing on one of the main characters and narrator of the novel, Nick. Dan Coleman also provides sufficient information on dealing with the dialogue of the novel is in essay, "Tuning in to Conversation in the Novel: Gatsby and the Dynamics of Dialogue." Coleman further breaks down the dialogue and addresses the relationship between another two of the novels main characters, Tom and Daisy. The two relate to one another fairly well, agreeing on some of the major points about the novel. There is some disagreement between them though and this, as well as their similarities will be discussed in content that follows.
Hochman begins her writing first, by breaking down the writing style of Fitzgerald. She believes that unlike in his other novels, Fitzgerald takes a more cautious and skeptical approach in "The Great Gatsby". By using the main character Nick as the narrator, Fitzgerald is able to jump in and out of conversation, while having Nick break down each one. Allowing Nick to become involved in conversation provides face-to-face narration and gives the reader another perspective on the development of Nick himself, as well as the characters he is interacting with. Hochman believes this to be true as "Nick's wish to separate voice from body can be related both to his motivation for the his story in writing and to the functions, for Fitzgerald, of employing the figure of Nick as his own primary narrating presence in this book" (4).
"Storytelling voices" is the next thing that Hochman addresses. All throughout the novel Nick is very responsive to the sound of speaking voices, particularly Gatsby and Daisy.
Hochman begins her writing first, by breaking down the writing style of Fitzgerald. She believes that unlike in his other novels, Fitzgerald takes a more cautious and skeptical approach in "The Great Gatsby". By using the main character Nick as the narrator, Fitzgerald is able to jump in and out of conversation, while having Nick break down each one. Allowing Nick to become involved in conversation provides face-to-face narration and gives the reader another perspective on the development of Nick himself, as well as the characters he is interacting with. Hochman believes this to be true as "Nick's wish to separate voice from body can be related both to his motivation for the his story in writing and to the functions, for Fitzgerald, of employing the figure of Nick as his own primary narrating presence in this book" (4).
"Storytelling voices" is the next thing that Hochman addresses. All throughout the novel Nick is very responsive to the sound of speaking voices, particularly Gatsby and Daisy.