Syntax Blog
- “Suddenly one of these gypsies, in trembling opal, seizes a cocktail out of the air, dumps it down for courage and, moving her hands like Frisco, dances out alone on the canvas platform” (41).
When describing the chaotic, garish, and vivid party that Gatsby throws, F. Scott Fitzgerald makes use of several syntactical strategies in order to exercise a thrilling and dramatic style. One flamboyant young woman, described her as a “gypsy” performs a series of acts punctuated by multiple commas producing excess interrupters. This deliberate writing style serves to create a sense of drama and excitement as one reads the passage, for multiple descriptions and actions are revealed in one long sentence, as if rushed. If punctuated in a less complex manner, the rhythm of the sentence and the mysterious actions of the “gypsy” would be lost upon the reader.
- “He wouldn’t consider it. He couldn’t possibly leave Daisy until he knew what she was going to do. He was clutching at some last hope and I couldn’t bear to shake him free” (148).
After Gatsby and Daisy kill Myrtle in a vicious hit-and-run incident, Nick Carraway tries to convince the heartbroken and obsessive Gatsby to flee West Egg in order to avoid the repercussions of his actions. Defiantly, Gatsby refuses. F. Scott Fitzgerald illustrates a tone of agitation and impatience in this passage with his use of anaphora. Each sentence, starting with the word “he,” acts as a way of conveying Gatsby’s narcissistic behavior, that everything must be as he believes it to be. His fixation with Daisy is clearly present, for he “couldn’t possibly leave Daisy” even when it is quite possible for him to face serious consequences for remaining in the area (148). To conclude, the author’s tone of impatience and annoyance with Gatsby is clearly expressed through Fitzgerald’s use of repetition.
I agree with the manner in which you described Fitzgerald's rushed tone created by his dramatic writing style. The overuse of punctuation in this sentence helps to emphasize the gypsy's frantic behavior that the reader would most likely overlook if omitted. The rapidity of this sentence also keeps the reader interested and excited to read more of the book. In your second example, I can see how you related the anaphora to Gatsby's egotistical behaviors. Everything that Gatsby desires is given to him and even when faced with the possibility of incarceration, his choice is to be with Daisy. Such qualities are present in the world today. Many powerful and wealthy men have been faced with guilty situations but remain steadfastly attached to their egos.
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