Rhetorical Device Quote Significance and Effect

Symbolism “… he stretched out his arms toward the The green light coming from
dark water in a curious way, and, far as I Daisy’s dock symbolizes Gatsby’s
was from him, I could have sworn he hopes and dreams. It also represents the
was trembling. Involuntarily I glanced distance between him and Daisy, the
seaward—and distinguished nothing time between the past and the present,
except a single green light…” and the wealth Gatsby is trying to gain.
(Fitzgerald 21) Fitzgerald uses symbolism in this quote
to indirectly tell the audience how
important the green light is. Although
the reader may not understand at first,
by the end of the book, one can reflect
and see how there is a deeper meaning
to that symbol, adding a factor of
complexity and intrigue to the novel.
Zoomorphism “In his blue gardens men and girls came In this quote, Fitzgerald’s use of
and went like moths among the zoomorphism effectively adds to the
whispering and the champagne and the imagery at Gatsby’s parties. Nick notes
stars” (Fitzgerald 39) how Gatsby’s parties tend to have many
bright lights. Hence, Fitzgerald
compares all of the guests to moths so
the reader can envision the scene of
people walking towards the dazzling
lights at Gatsby’s mansion. Through this
quote, the audience gets a better sense of
how the guests act before entering
Gatsby’s party.
Oxymoron “Wolfsheim, forgetting the more Fitzgerald uses an oxymoron in
sentimental atmosphere of the old this quote as he describes Wolfsheim’s
Metropole, began to eat with ferocious manner of eating. This rhetorical device
delicacy” (Fitzgerald 71) hints towards Wolfsheim’s character,
which seems to be both pitiless and
sentimental. Gatsby describes him as
emotional, but actions speak louder than
words. When Nick invites Wolfsheim to
Gatsby’s funeral, Wolfsheim refuses and
persists until he gets his way. By
utilizing the rhetorical device of an
oxymoron, Fitzgerald catches the
reader’s attention. He does so by pairing
two opposing words, “ferocious
 delicacy.” After reading this, the reader
may stop and think about their meaning
and what Fitzgerald conveys,
Wolfsheim’s character. 
Situational Irony “Everyone suspects himself of at least Nick Carraway is one of the most
one of the cardinal virtues, and this is dishonest characters in the book. Not
mine: I am one of the few honest people only is he an unreliable narrator that is
that I have ever known” (Fitzgerald 59) constantly judging others, but he also
hides other people’s affairs and has a
liaison of his own. This quote represents
situational irony as Nick says he is one
of the most honest people he knows, and
yet his hypocritical character and actions
prove him otherwise. Fitzgerald’s use of
situational irony in this quote frustrates
the reader. The reader witnesses Nick’s
dishonesty, so the reader feels
exasperated that the narrator is
untrustworthy.
Dramatic Irony ‘“Wreck!’ said Tom. ‘That’s good. This quote portrays dramatic irony
Wilson’ll have a little business at last” as Tom says this very insensitive phrase
(Fitzgerald 137) because he does not know who died in
the wreck. However, after Fitzgerald
gives some background information to
the reader, the audience knows who is
involved and that the victim is Myrtle
Wilson. Tom’s inconsiderate and rude
character reveals itself through this
quote. Fitzgerald’s use of dramatic irony
in this quote allows the reader to feel
above and superior to the characters. It
also makes the audience feel no
sympathy for Tom’s reaction upon
seeing Myrtle’s body due to his snarky
remark.
Flashback “James Gatz—that was really, or at least In this quote, Gatsby recalls how
legally, his name. He had changed it at he acquires his name after seeing Dan
the age of seventeen and at the specific Cody’s yacht. Not only does this quote
moment that witnessed the beginning of break up the chronological flow of the
his career—when he saw Dan Cody’s story to give the reader further insight
yacht drop anchor over the most into Jay Gatsby’s character and past, but
 insidious flat on Lake Superior” it also symbolizes Gatsby’s transition
(Fitzgerald 98) from poor to rich. Gatz represents him
as the poor soldier he once is, and
Gatsby symbolizes the man he wants to
be, civilized and wealthy. This flashback
makes the reader more connected to
Gatsby’s role as it explains his true
upbringing and a deeper understanding
of his character.
Foil “There was Jordan beside me, who, At the beginning of the novel,
unlike Daisy, was too wise ever to carry Jordan Baker and Daisy Buchanan act
well-forgotten dreams from age to age” and look alike. However, as the story
(Fitzgerald 135) unfolds, the reader soon realizes how
different they are. Jordan is less
vulnerable than Daisy as she is decisive
and assertive. On the other hand, Daisy
cannot make up her mind, and she
lingers too much on the past. By
comparing these two characters,
Fitzgerald uses a foil to show how
dissimilar they are. This draws the
reader’s attention to traits and
characteristics that are not directly
addressed in the novel.
Epigraph “Then wear the gold hat, if that will Fitzgerald starts with an epigraph
move her; If you can bounce high, in his novel The Great Gatsby quoting a
bounce for her too, Till she cry "Lover, character from a different book of his
gold-hatted, high-bouncing lover, I must This Side of Paradise. Fitzgerald uses
have you!" – Thomas Parke this quote as it represents Gatsby, and
D’Invilliers” (Fitzgerald) the way Daisy drives his ambitions. This
epigraph allows the reader to get some
idea of the themes and subjects which
appear later in the book. The epigraph
may also drive the reader to look up the
quote and find that it is from another of
Fitzgerald’s publications. Thus, the
author uses this epigraph to encourage
his audience to check out his other
works.
Juxtaposition “And so it happened that on a warm In this quote, Fitzgerald uses
windy evening I drove over to East Egg juxtaposition as he describes Tom and
 to see two old friends whom I scarcely Daisy Buchanan as being “two old
knew at all” (Fitzgerald 6) friends whom I scarcely knew at all.”
Nick’s comment shows how although
they are family, he barely knows the
couple, making the whole arrangement
awkward. Although they hardly know
each other, Daisy and Tom confide in
him throughout the novel. This
juxtaposition highlights this odd
relationship to the reader. It makes the
reader think about the quote and its
purpose in describing Nick and the
couple’s peculiar relationship.
Paradox “‘Anyhow, he gives large parties… And Although Jordan Baker’s
I like large parties. They’re so intimate. statement seems irrational, there is
At small parties there isn’t any privacy’” actually much truth to it. At a large
(Fitzgerald 49) party, two people can converse
intimately without anyone
eavesdropping or bothering them since
there are so many other things going on.
At a small gathering, the few people that
are there know at all times what you are
doing. Fitzgerald’s use of a paradox in
this quote makes the reader stop and
think about the logic behind Jordan’s
statement. It engages the audience to
venture and find a different meaning to
the concept of parties and their intimacy,
allowing the reader to reflect and arrive
at a conclusion

Mood “After Gatsby’s death the East was The mood throughout the novel is
haunted for me like that, distorted cynical and pessimistic. Gatsby’s tragic
beyond my eyes’ power of correction” death portrays the mood perfectly.
(Fitzgerald 176) Although his life is filled with
extravagant parties and money, his death
leaves him with nothing meaningful,
with no one to remember or value his
life. Although Gatsby has high
aspirations, in the end, he fails to
achieve the biggest one he has, to regain
 Daisy’s love. This quote’s sad mood
allows for the reader to get a better
sense of how tragic Gatsby’s death is.
Fitzgerald’s use of pathos in this quote
conveys a feeling of sadness and
disappointment in the audience.
Simile “This is a valley of ashes—a fantastic In this quote, Nick Carraway
farm where ashes grow like wheat into describes the landscape that the train
ridges and hills and grotesque passengers witness on their way from
gardens…” (Fitzgerald 23) Long Island to New York City's
suburbs. Not only does Nick describe
the sight as being covered by ashes, but
he talks about the gardens and hills as
looking like ashes. The simile Fitzgerald
uses in this quote contributes to the
setting and how the reader imagines it.
Fitzgerald's utilization of simile in the
Valley of ashes helps engage and absorb
the audience as they create a vivid
image of the scene in their mind.
Syntax “At two o’clock Gatsby put on his Fitzgerald uses time stamps
bathing-suit and left word with the throughout his novel when important
butler that if anyone phoned word was events take place. The audience first
to be brought to him at the pool” witnesses this rhetorical device during
(Fitzgerald 161) Gatsby’s party, a grand event in the
book. This type of syntax allows for the
audience to have a good sense of the
time that passes as the story unfolds.
The timestamps also show the reader
how quickly events are occurring. It
takes George Wilson a night and a sixth
of a day to pursue Daisy’s murderer and
kill Gatsby.
Foreshadowing “In the ditch beside the road, right side Upon leaving Gatsby’s party, Nick
up, but violently shorn of one wheel, witnesses a car in a ditch with two
rested a new coupe which had left careless men exiting the vehicle. This
Gatsby's drive not two minutes before” scene foreshadows Myrtle’s death at the
(Fitzgerald 53) end of the novel, an accident that
resulted from the carelessness of both
Daisy and Myrtle. Throughout the
novel, Fitzgerald also emphasizes the
 importance of automobiles, further
hinting at Myrtle’s cause of death. The
quote makes the reader wonder what the
importance of such a scene has in the
novel. Fitzgerald’s use of foreshadowing
builds tension and suspense. This crash
scene also prepares the audience for the
terrible accident at the end of the book.
Metaphor “So we beat on, boats against the Fitzgerald is comparing the
current, borne back ceaselessly into the character’s persistence and endurance to
past” (Fitzgerald 180) “boats against the current.” Not only
does this create an image for the reader
to visualize Nick’s loss after Gatsby’s
death and how he must overcome it, but
it also portrays the struggles Gatsby
faces as he pursues the American
Dream. From this quote, the audience
can connect empathize with these
character’s perseverance. The metaphor
also allows the readers to get a deeper
meaning of the intricacies behind the
American Dream.
Personification “Blinded by the glare of the headlights After one of Gatsby’s parties, two
and confused by the incessant groaning drunk men get in a car crash. Fitzgerald
of the horns, the apparition stood uses personification in this quote as he
swaying for a moment before he describes the horns of the other
perceived the man in the duster” impatient guests who are trying to leave.
(Fitzgerald 54) This quote allows the reader to connect
with the objects that are being
personified, the horns. The audience
feels the frustration that the other guests
are feeling since they are blocked from
leaving by the coupé that crashed.
Hyperbole “Instead of being the warm center of the In this quote, Fitzgerald utilizes
world, the Middle West now seemed hyperbole as he describes the Middle
like the ragged edge of the universe—so West to be “like the ragged edge of the
I decided to go East and learn the bond universe.” Nick Carraway’s experience
business” (Fitzgerald 3) in the East is not pleasant, so he decides
to return to the West, his homeland that
seems far away. His perspective is
skewed with the corruption of the East.
 Nick describes the West as ragged
because he is less innocent and hopeful
than he once is. His life is ripped apart
after Gatsby’s death. Thus, the universe
also has ragged edges, and the Midwest
is at the edge of it. Fitzgerald’s use of
hyperbole in this quote evokes a feeling
of dread in the reader. The way Nick
describes the Middle West makes it
sound like a terrible place. To the
reader, the hyperbole also emphasizes
the importance of location and how
distorted Nick’s opinion is on the
subject.
Ellipsis “… I was standing beside his bed and he The use of ellipsis in this quote
was sitting up between the sheets, clad shows that Nick Caraway is drunk and
in his underwear, with a great portfolio disoriented in this scene. One moment
in his hands” (Fitzgerald 38) Nick and Mr. McKee are in the elevator,
and the next, they are in Mr. McKee’s
bed. Nick is so intoxicated that night
that he cannot remember how he ends
up in Mr. McKee’s bedroom. Through
the ellipsis that Fitzgerald uses in this
quote, the reader can tell some
information is missing. The audience
can also infer that Nick is drunk. Since
some information is missing, the reader
could guess what events lead Nick to be
in McKee’s bedroom, thus, engaging the
reader to create a series of happenings
from context clues.
Diction ‘“I’d like to get one of those police George and Myrtle Wilson have
dogs; I don’t suppose the lowest social class in the novel, and
you got that kind?’” (Fitzgerald 27) their diction reflects the lower educated
background they have. In this quote,
Myrtle uses incorrect grammar as she
uses the verb tense “got” instead of the
tense have. Through this quote,
Fitzgerald is emphasizing the difference
in social classes to that of Tom
Buchanan’s. Through this rhetorical
 device, the reader gets a better sense of
the social inequality and difference. The
audience can also see what social class
Myrtle and Wilson belong to through
their use of diction and how it compares
to Nick or Tom’s dialogue.
Idiom ‘“Her voice is full of money’” In this idiom, Fitzgerald is making
(Fitzgerald 120) an indirect comparison between Daisy’s
voice and money because her tone and
manner prove her to be a wealthy and
privileged woman. Daisy’s voice is not
actually full of money, but it conveys
her high social class. Fitzgerald’s use of
an idiom in this quote makes the reader
stop and think about the figurative
language and what it signifies. It draws
in the audience and makes them ponder
on the idea of Daisy having a snobbish
and wealthy tone to her voice.