The Great Gatsby- Diction and Selection of Detail The Great Gatsby, written by F. Scott Fitzgerald,
uses a specific choice of words along with selection of detail to develop the characters of Tom Buc
hanan and Myrtle Wilson. This essay will cite specific examples that correspond to Fitzgerald's use
of diction and details. Although this passage does not emphasize on Tom Buchanan, his character is
developed through the use of literary techniques. Tom's character speaks three times during the cou
rse of this scene, and all three times his words make him sound as if he is superior to everyone. "
'It's a bitch,' said Tom decisively. 'Here's your money. Go and buy ten more dogs with it.' "(Pag
e 28) In this quote, diction and a specific choice of words is apparent through the use of the word
'decisively.' Using this word creates the feeling that Tom is authoritative and commanding. This c
itation also serves as an example of Tom's mannerisms throughout the novel. He speaks to an elderly
person with contempt by telling him that he is wrong and that he should buy ten more dogs with the
money he gives him. A parallel can also be drawn between Myrtle and the dog in that he looks at the
dog in the same degree of importance as Myrtle. Tom's lack of patience can also be seen in his re
tort to the old man's answer. Another citation, which serves to magnify Tom's superiority over othe
rs in the novel, is when Nick tries to leave Tom and Myrtle. "No you don't," Tom interposed quickly
. "Myrtle'll be hurt if you don't come up to the apartment. Won't you, Myrtle?" (Page 28) Yet aga
in, this citation serves to demonstrate Tom's commanding personality. More specifically, he answers
for Myrtle as if she couldn't have answered herself. As a result of Fitzgerald's effectual use of d
iction and word choice, the passage is able to effectively develop Tom's character. Tom's domineeri
ng and forceful persona is further enhanced in this passage through the demonstration of his gesture
s and dialogue. Although Tom does not play a major role in the selected passage, his persona is gre
atly shaped through the author's use of language. Much of this chapter is dedicated to the augmentat
ion of Myrtle's character. The author uses imagery, dialogue, and diction to create her personality
. The use of imagery is seen in the beginning of the passage: "She had changed her dress to a brown
figured muslin, which stretched tight over her rather wide hips..."(Page 26) Myrtle's actions also
have a lot to say about her character. An example was when she "let four taxicabs drive away before
she selected a new one." (Page 27) This type of behavior serves to contrast her true lifestyle of
being married to a poor and hard working garage man. "Is it a boy or a girl?" she asked delicately.
(Page 28) This citation from the passage builds onto Myrtle's sensitive side. It also shows that
she cares about the unimportant sides to life and is very materialistic. "Mrs. Wilson gathered up h
er dog and other purchases, and went haughtily in." (Page 28) This quote, along with many others ma
de in this selection make great use of adverbs to create the character of Mrs. Wilson. The use of t
he word 'haughtily' adds to the arrogant character that she displays. This again contrasts her true
lifestyle and emphasizes her dual personality. Other adverbs that were used in this passage to cha
racterize Myrtle were: eagerly, enthusiastically, delicately, and earnestly. All of these adverbs i
n one sense or another characterize Mrs. Wilson's actions and character. Accordingly, the author's
language uses imagery, adverbs, and actions that create her arrogant and contrasting personality. In
conclusion, F. Scott Fitzgerald effectively employed diction and selection of detail to develop the
characters of Tom Buchanan and Myrtle Wilson. He did this by using various literary techniques and
parts of speech to emphasize the character's personality. For example, he uses imagery, irony, adv
erbs, dialogue, actions, adjectives, and mannerisms to bring out the arrogance of Myrtle and indiffe
rence of Tom Buchanan. Thus, the author properly uses diction and selection of detail to serve the
purpose of developing the characters of Mrs. Wilson and Tom Buchanan. great gatsby diction selection
detail great gatsby written scott fitzgerald uses specific choice words along with selection detail
develop characters buchanan myrtle wilson this essay will cite specific examples that correspond fi
tzgerald diction details although this passage does emphasize buchanan character developed through l
iterary techniques character speaks three times during course this scene three times words make soun
d superior everyone bitch said decisively here your money more dogs with page quote diction specific
choice words apparent through word decisively using word creates feeling that authoritative command
ing citation also serves example mannerisms throughout novel speaks elderly person with contempt tel
ling that wrong should more dogs money gives parallel also drawn between myrtle looks same degree im
portance myrtle lack patience also seen retort answer another citation which serves magnify superior
ity over others novel when nick tries leave interposed quickly hurt come apartment page again citati
on serves demonstrate commanding personality more specifically answers couldn have answered herself
result fitzgerald effectual word choice passage able effectively develop character domineering force
ful persona further enhanced passage through demonstration gestures dialogue although does play majo
r role selected persona greatly shaped author language much chapter dedicated augmentation author us
es imagery dialogue create personality imagery seen beginning changed dress brown figured muslin whi
ch stretched tight over rather wide hips page actions have about example when four taxicabs drive aw
ay before selected type behavior contrast true lifestyle being married poor hard working garage girl
asked delicately from builds onto sensitive side shows cares about unimportant sides life very mate
rialistic wilson gathered other purchases went haughtily quote along many others made selection make
great adverbs create wilson haughtily adds arrogant displays again contrasts true lifestyle emphasi
zes dual personality other adverbs were used characterize were eagerly enthusiastically delicately e
arnestly these adverbs sense another characterize actions accordingly author language uses imagery a
ctions create arrogant contrasting conclusion scott effectively employed detail develop characters b
uchanan using various literary techniques parts speech emphasize example irony dialogue adjectives m
annerisms bring arrogance indifference thus properly serve purpose developing charactersEssay, essay
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