Welcome to the World of West Egg!
Hello there! You are about to dive into F. Scott Fitzgerald's masterpiece, The Great Gatsby. Because you are studying this for the "Language of Prose" section of your OCR AS Level, we aren't just looking at the "what" of the story—we are looking at the "how."
Think of yourself as a detective. Instead of just reading the story, you are looking for the clues (the language and techniques) the author used to build this world of parties, secrets, and the American Dream. Don't worry if literary analysis feels a bit heavy at first; we’ll break it down piece by piece!
1. Narrative Voice and Point of View
The first thing to understand is who is telling us the story. In The Great Gatsby, we see everything through the eyes of Nick Carraway.
The "I" in the Story: This is a first-person narrative. Nick is both a character in the book and the person writing it down. This is important because Nick isn't perfect—he has his own biases and opinions.
The Unreliable Narrator: Nick claims to be "one of the few honest people" he has ever known. But is he? He often ignores the bad behavior of his friends. Analogy: Imagine a friend telling you about a fight they had. They will naturally make themselves look like the "good guy" and the other person look like the "bad guy." That's Nick!
Quick Review: Narrative Voice
• First-person: Uses "I" and "me."
• Subjective: The story is colored by Nick’s feelings.
• Peripheral: Nick is often a bystander watching the main action between Gatsby and Daisy.
2. Characterisation: How People are Built
Fitzgerald doesn't just tell us what characters are like; he uses lexis (word choice) and dialogue to show us.
Jay Gatsby: He uses the phrase "old sport" constantly. Why? He’s trying to sound like "Old Money" (people born rich). It’s a linguistic mask. He’s "playing the part" of a gentleman.
Daisy Buchanan: Her voice is described as being "full of money." This is a great example of metaphor. It suggests that even the way she breathes and speaks is tied to her wealth.
Common Mistake to Avoid: Don't just list what characters do. Instead, look at the adjectives used to describe them or the specific way they speak. That is the "language" part of your exam!
3. Setting and Structure
The "where" and "when" are vital in this novel. Fitzgerald uses settings to represent different social classes.
The Contrast:
• West Egg: New money. Flashy, gaudy, and "extra." (Gatsby’s house).
• East Egg: Old money. White palaces, refined, but cold. (Daisy’s house).
• The Valley of Ashes: The "waste" left behind by the rich. It represents the struggle of the working class.
Time and Chronology: The story isn't a straight line. Nick starts the book at the end of the summer, then goes back to tell us what happened. This non-linear structure makes the book feel like a memory or a confession.
Memory Aid: The "Two Eggs" Rule
Think of the Eggs like a high school cafeteria. East Egg is the "popular/rich kids" table where you have to be born into the group. West Egg is the table of kids who just got cool clothes and are trying to fit in!
4. Symbols and Motifs
A symbol is a physical object that represents a big idea. Fitzgerald is a master of this!
The Green Light: Situated at the end of Daisy’s dock. To Gatsby, it represents his hopes and dreams for the future.
Analogy: It’s like a "loading" bar on a video game. Gatsby is staring at it, waiting for his life with Daisy to finally "load" and begin.
The Eyes of Doctor T.J. Eckleburg: A fading billboard in the Valley of Ashes. Many characters (and readers) interpret these giant eyes as God watching over a corrupt society.
Key Takeaway: When you see a color mentioned (like green, gold, or white), stop and ask: "What does this color represent here?" Gold usually means actual money, while Yellow often means "fake gold" or "trying too hard."
5. Context: The "Roaring Twenties"
To get top marks, you need to show you understand the context—the world the book was written in.
The American Dream: This is the idea that anyone can become successful through hard work. Gatsby is the ultimate example of this, but the book asks: is the dream actually a nightmare?
Prohibition: Alcohol was illegal in the 1920s. This is how Gatsby made his money (bootlegging). This adds a layer of criminality to the "language of the prose" whenever Gatsby’s business is mentioned.
Did you know? F. Scott Fitzgerald and his wife Zelda were the "it-couple" of the 1920s. Many of the wild parties in the book were inspired by their own real-life experiences!
6. Summary Checklist for Your Analysis
When you are writing about a passage from The Great Gatsby, try to use this mnemonic: V.P.S. (Voice, Place, Symbol).
1. Voice: How is Nick’s perspective affecting what we see? Look for adverbs that show his judgment.
2. Place: Where are we? How does the imagery of the setting reflect the characters' social status?
3. Symbol: Is there an object (a car, a light, a color) that stands for a bigger theme like wealth or tragedy?
Don't worry if this seems tricky at first! Narrative analysis is a skill that grows the more you practice. Just keep looking for the "hidden meanings" behind the words!
Key Terms to Remember:
• Lexis: The specific words an author chooses.
• Imagery: Language that appeals to the senses (sight, sound, etc.).
• Metaphor: Saying one thing IS another to show a comparison.
• Dialogue: The way characters speak to one another.
• Juxtaposition: Putting two opposite things (like West Egg and East Egg) next to each other to highlight their differences.