Blog Topic #2: Diction

            The Great Gatsby, a novel by F. Scott Fitzgerald, is said to be "an American masterpiece" partly  because of Fitzgerald's ability to convey the character's thoughts and feelings toward the events that occur with his expressive word choice. Most often, Fitzgerald establishes tone through the thoughts of his narrator, Nick, who possesses a widespread amount of curiosity about his next door neighbor, Gatsby. Full of admiration in Gatsby, Nick uses a combination of concrete and abstract diction to describe his first thoughts about Gatsby: "gorgeous," "intricate," and "extraordinary" (6).  Nick's flowery word choice calls attention to Fitzgerald's adorning tone toward Gatsby, and to some extent foreshadows Nick's growing interest in Gatsby. Later on, after establishing a closer relationship with Gatsby, Nick begins to feel that he was "bizarre," "sinister," and "somber" (69). With this elevated, yet abstract diction, Fitzgerald reveals a solemn, condescending tone in which Gatsby is portrayed to believe himself to be superior to all others. After Gatsby's death, Nick finally understands the struggles Gatsby faced to reach happiness; when searching for Gatsby's close relatives and friends he realizes that he had acquired a "defiance" for everyone and  mirrored Gatsby's feelings of "scornful solidarity" (173) toward those who were not the least bit lugubrious. The parallel of Nick's emotions and Gatsby's former emotions reveals a disdainful tone toward those who do not appreciate the happiness they possess. Throughout the novel, Fitzgerald illuminates a range of tones, however, repeatedly, he bridges back to the idea that every person has their own faults therefore evoking a rather hateful tone. However, through Nick's criticisms about characters that employ a rather harsh tone, Fitzgerald teaches us that everyone has minor faults but it is up to us whether or not we dwell over them.