“Well
this would interest you” (Fitzgerald 83).
Gatsby uses declarative syntax in order
to try to lure Carraway into his trap of
trying to get him to bring Daisy over. As
a rich man, Gatsby is used to trying to deceive others in order to get what he
wants and in this case he masks his actual hope with the idea that he actually
wants Nick to work for him. Through the declarative statement Gatsby is getting
Nick excited for what he is about to tell him. In the end Nick cannot be
deceived and denies Gatsby’s offer because he is already granting Gatsby the
presence of his cousin and does not want to get tangled up in the questionable
business Gatsby runs.
·
“It
eluded us then, but that’s no matter – to-morrow we will run faster, stretch
out our arms farther… And one fine morning---” (Fitzgerald 180).
` In
this mysterious sentence, the syntax is very bizarre and not in line with the
rest of the book. Fitzgerald interrupts the sentence with a dash and puts three
periods to allow the reader to take their mind to wherever they think it should
go. With this cryptic syntax he eludes to the fact that Gatsby is dead and we
one day will be too, so we must decide what we will do until that day comes. It
is very secretive but in its own way it gives courage through its peculiar
appeal to the idea that tomorrow will be better.
Regarding the first reference of syntax, I am sort of confused on what you were trying to say. In a way I understand how this declarative sentence was meant to excite Nick Carraway, but when reading it I can't fully comprehend as it doesn't intrigue me the same way as you are describing it. As for the second reference I fully agree that the sentence structure does not match up with the rest of the novel. It indeed is meant to confuse the reader and allow them to interpret the scene as they may. Overall I believe you did an excellent job in regards to clarifying the use Fitzgerald's complex sentence type!
ReplyDelete