Throughout hundreds of years, authors have been using settings to show figurative significances and enhance hidden meanings. Symbolism is the use of symbols to signify ideas and qualities by giving them symbolic meanings that are different from their literal sense. In The Great Gatsby, F. Scott Fitzgerald uses details related to settings as a mean of indirect characterization to reveal the qualities of his characters. Thus, it provides the reader a better understanding of main ideas. His book takes place in the 1920’s in Long Island, NY and tells the story of Jay Gatsby, an extremely wealthy man but yet mysterious who owns a huge mansion next door to Nick Carraway, the narrator of the novel. Gatsby desperately tries to get back with the love
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He describes his house as “a small eyesore” which has a view of “the consoling proximity of the millionaires” (Fitzgerald 5). Nick is surrounded by ostentatious mansions owned by wealthy men, but he still seems to quite fit in, as well as his house harmonizes well in this environment. Nick is part of the upper middle class and works in the bond business which means that his financial situation is good. However, his personality is drastically different from The Buchanan’s, Gatsby’s or Jordan’s. He isn’t ostentatious; he doesn’t feel the need to flaunt his car, clothes, or house. Although Nick is a good narrator because he is down-to-earth, tolerant and not full of himself, and plays an important role, he appears pushed around at some point by the other characters. The fact that his house is “weather beaten” (Fitzgerald 5) is an indirect comparison to the phenomena. Moreover, Nick’s traits seem to correspond to house which is quite humble. Nick’s past and present is less than exciting compared to the other characters, such as Gatsby and Daisy. Plus, he depicts his house as “squeezed between two huge places” (Fitzgerald 5), just as Nick is caught in the love affair between Daisy, Gatsby and …show more content…
Scott Fitzgerald’s novel shows the significant role that plays details related to setting as a mean of indirect characterization. Thus, the author reveals the qualities and flaws of his characters through the use of setting such as Gatsby’s mansion, the Buchanan’s Georgian house, Nick’s eyesore, The Valley of Ashes and Wilson’s garage and Myrtle’s apartment in New York. The author has portrayed different extent of the American Dream, the superficial, egocentric and elite side and the miserable, dusty and hopeless part. This novel is an ultimate criticism of the American society as it is in the 1920’s and is destined to be in the future, devastated and split by cupidity and pride.
“There are those who will say that the liberation of humanity, the freedom of man and mind is nothing but a dream. There are right. It is the American Dream.”- Archibald
He describes his house as “a small eyesore” which has a view of “the consoling proximity of the millionaires” (Fitzgerald 5). Nick is surrounded by ostentatious mansions owned by wealthy men, but he still seems to quite fit in, as well as his house harmonizes well in this environment. Nick is part of the upper middle class and works in the bond business which means that his financial situation is good. However, his personality is drastically different from The Buchanan’s, Gatsby’s or Jordan’s. He isn’t ostentatious; he doesn’t feel the need to flaunt his car, clothes, or house. Although Nick is a good narrator because he is down-to-earth, tolerant and not full of himself, and plays an important role, he appears pushed around at some point by the other characters. The fact that his house is “weather beaten” (Fitzgerald 5) is an indirect comparison to the phenomena. Moreover, Nick’s traits seem to correspond to house which is quite humble. Nick’s past and present is less than exciting compared to the other characters, such as Gatsby and Daisy. Plus, he depicts his house as “squeezed between two huge places” (Fitzgerald 5), just as Nick is caught in the love affair between Daisy, Gatsby and …show more content…
Scott Fitzgerald’s novel shows the significant role that plays details related to setting as a mean of indirect characterization. Thus, the author reveals the qualities and flaws of his characters through the use of setting such as Gatsby’s mansion, the Buchanan’s Georgian house, Nick’s eyesore, The Valley of Ashes and Wilson’s garage and Myrtle’s apartment in New York. The author has portrayed different extent of the American Dream, the superficial, egocentric and elite side and the miserable, dusty and hopeless part. This novel is an ultimate criticism of the American society as it is in the 1920’s and is destined to be in the future, devastated and split by cupidity and pride.
“There are those who will say that the liberation of humanity, the freedom of man and mind is nothing but a dream. There are right. It is the American Dream.”- Archibald